TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Another Testing Question - Canadian Travellers

Hey All,
Not to start another thread about testing but hoping someone can help with a few questions specific to my situation. We're a family of 4 flying direct from Toronto to SXM on March 13th for a week stay in Pelican Key. We are 39M, 36F, 8F, 4M. My wife and I are fully vaxxed and boosted. Our 8 year old daughter is fully vaxxed but not yet eligible for a booster and our son is under 5 and therefore unvaccinated. So now some specific questions:

1) So my understanding of the current rules to enter SXM (I understand they may be changing) is that based on our family info above only my daughter would need a test because she is over 5 but doesn't yet have a booster. We've scheduled her for an antigen test within 24 hours of our departure to SXM. Let's say the rules don't change further and we have to go through with this is there any specific info I need to ask be included or is the test result you get from a pharmacy for travel purposes pretty standard and should have everything EHAS will need?

2) It appears that as of March 1st the rules will be changing so anyone with 2 doses would no longer need a test. If that is the case I believe no one in my family would require a test to enter SXM. Anyone believe that is incorrect? In addition to that, if I don't need test results, how far in advance of my trip can I do the EHAS application? Obviously it will be after March 1st if rules are changing but could I do it anytime after that or is there a certain time period before that I am allowed to apply?

3) For my return to Canada at least some of us will need to get a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of departure from SXM. If we're staying in Pelican Key near Simpson Bay is there any rapid antigen testing sites close by that anyone would recommend that can give results on the spot? Is there a list of testing centres anywhere? The test will need to be on a Saturday afternoon for a Sunday mid-day flight.

Appreciate any knowledge from those that have been through this already! Thanks!

Vegas Canadian--1) and 2) since you are not traveling until after March 1, I suggest you wait until March 1 and see what is formally announced. Things seem to have a way of changing and what the rules are going to be after March 1 are not at ALL clear to me.

You make your application for EHAS approval no MORE than 3 days before your flight.

3) Here is a link to testing facilities on island . Link

The past couple of times, we have used Medwork and are extremely satisfied with their service. You make an appointment, they are prompt, they are courteous, you get your results in under an hour. Highly recommended. Many people have used the proctored Binax Now telemedicine test to enter the US. I do not know whether that test is acceptable to enter Canada or not.

Switch Health has a similar product to the Binax Now proctored test, which they say is acceptable for the return to Canada

Where is switch health located? Do you know if they are open Saturday afternoons? Thanks.

Mark

I agree with Carol. I would wait until March 1st to see what is formally announced as the entry requirement to Sint Maarten.
As far as a rapid antigen test if you need it to enter Sint Maarten from Canada the tests you receive from the local pharmacies here in Ontario are good. For example, back in October, I used Shoppers Drug Mart. Others have used Walmart. I have recommended Shoppers Drug Mart and several have used them. You probably know but you just have to book the test ahead of time.
The rapid antigen test that you get back at Shoppers Drug Mart is given to you in about 15 minutes while you wait.

Just keep monitoring to make certain of the rules because they can change quite quickly. I have been to Sint Maarten from Canada three times in the last 3 months and the rules have changed each time.

DrPhilSXM

https://www.switchhealth.ca/en/clinics/book


Canadian company providing various testing products . Purchase on line , shipped to your address , testing done at your travel destination with live video agent validation on your tablet or phone .

we had to use the Switchhealth test upon arrival to YYZ last week,, did the phone in,, no problem,, however it took over 5 days for the results,,,,just an FYI

Anyone who has traveled back to Toronto over the last few months, will be familiar with switch health. They are based in Mississauga and do the random testing at Pearson Airport. Recently, they have been overwhelmed trying to process tests. I personally would pass on using them unless you are comfortable contacting them on your tablet using Island Wi-Fi within 24 hours of your departure.

Medwork in Simpson Bay is an option. Also I have used Sint Maarten Lab Services or SLS. They do tests Saturday morning in Maho. You register online and it costs $45 usd. It is roughly a 10-minute bus ride from Simpson Bay.

. Just my opinion. https://sls.sx/antigen/

Drphilsxm

I would second the Medwork recommendation. Depending on where you are on Pelican Key you would go down Billy Folly Road and take a left on Welfare Road and park on the right....same bldg as Avantica... Excellent service

https://medcare.aw/en/covid-test-appointments-sxm/

Any suggestions of where to get a rapid antigen test for the return home , which must be done the day before the return flight, if staying in the Orient Beach area?

The pharmacy in Hope Estate. No appointment needed is what I heard. Results in about 15 minutes. May be longer if you want a printed copy.

My concern is that my flight is at 12:35pm on Sunday so I need somewhere that can do an antigen test after 12:35pm on Saturday. Alot of the testing clinics seem to close at noon. There is one listed in Philipsburg as open until 2pm so that may be my only choice.

Look into the pharmacies on the French side as an option.

VegasCanadian--You might want to double-check the actual timing of your return test. To return to the UNITED STATES, the test can be at any time on the day before your flight, NOT within only 24 hours. I honestly do not know whether the same is true of Canada or not.

Ma'am,

According to the Canadian government website about their new rules, taking effect at 12:01am on 28 FEB 2022, you will have 1 calendar day for Rapid Antigen testing for your return to Canada. The relevant text is below and a link is provided to the new rules for full details.

****************
Travellers will now have the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result (taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) or a molecular test result (taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) to meet pre-entry requirements. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement – it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.
****************



Canadian new entry testing rules

Yes, this is a very welcomed change, you can now test in the morning for an afternoon flight the next day.

Yes, this will make this much easier, great to know, thanks!