TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Return to US Covid testing

Hi all, I need some clarification on the necessary Covid test to return to US…is it 24 hrs prior to departure so the last day on the island is Covid testing? I saw pretty hefty fees for this, what’s the best scenario for the Simpson Bay Area?
Thank you in advance…

Yes on the last day, anytime. It doesn't have to be exactly 24 hrs from departure. I used SLS lab. If you register online it's $45 , in person $55. Make sure you register for the Antigen test. Others have had good and less expensive home tests. SLS has various locations, we used the Royal Islander location. In and out results in 45 min.

The day prior to travel to the US. I flew home on a Wed. so, I tested on Tue. Around $70 and up. I tested at SLS Labs on Hamster Dr, near the Dutch side hospital. $45 for antigen testing and & $75 for PCR. I registered and paid online. I was staying at the Atrium and from the time I left, tested and returned was about 30 minutes total and results within another 30 minutes.

SLS

I feel so under-informed, what is the difference between antigen & PCR? rickjames said above to be sure to register for the antigen test

Supposedly, the PCR is more accurate. I think the antigen test is less invasive and was $30 less, an easy choice for me. Faster results with antigen tests.

Antigen test is cheaper and results come back faster. Supposedly less accurate.

I’m assuming the antigen test is acceptable and gets your butt in an airline seat if you test ok?

Yes, the anitgen test is all that is needed, and it gets your butt in an airline seat.

It worked fine for me and the others I was with.

For the Simpson Bay area (we were at SBR) across from Market Garden and below Avantica is Medworks. Online appointment for antigen test...walk in-walk out, no waiting, results in an hour or so and printed for you if needed. Better then waiting in line somewhere...

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

We did BINAXNOW AG. Very easy. Buy them at home before you go to take with you. Then you don't have to worry about appointments. All you need is a decent internet connection.

We’ll that is the best solution! I’m trying to figure out why everyone wouldn’t just buy their own BinaxNow and bring it along. Our local CVS has a 2-test kit for $23.99, seriously inexpensive….they also mention most non-Medicare/Medicaid insurance plans cover at-home Covid tests now.

We tested at Hope Estates 3/24/2022. No one ever asked to see the results when we flew on 3/25/2022.

mstngal--that $23.99 kit will NOT work, in all likelihood, as that is probably NOT the proctored test. A self test which is NOT proctored over the internet is not acceptable.

sugarae--what airline did you fly? Both times we have come home on AA, they certainly asked for that proof.

AA

We flew home on 3/25/22 on AA. Put the results of our Covid tests in front of the agent at the desk. She never looked at it & I even asked “don’t you need this”. Answer was no. AA is so screwed up & disorganized at the airport…it’s ridiculous.

Re: Binax Now proctored tests...great idea if you have reliable, continuous WIFI and maybe access to a printer but that's not really needed. I felt more secure with a backup hard copy (it was checked at the gate (JB) )

Price is around $69.95 + tax and shipping for two tests...

We played safe and just went to Medworks for $70 each....one less worry. Would have no issue with the Binax if done at hone with my wifi but didn't trust the occasional signal drops in SXM. If you have great wifi then go with the proctored tests

We used the SLS Lab across from the Royal Islander on Monday. I registered us a few days in advance....walked in Monday morning, gave our names, told to take a seat that someone would be with us shortly.....we barely sat down and the nurse was there. In and out in 8 minutes!! Yup....that's correct cuz I looked at my phone the minute we walked up to check in and as we were walking out. We paid $45.00 when we registered. Results emailed to us in less than an hour.

And by the way, United agent did look at our test results. But, we were the only ones checking in at the time......I double check the board to make sure our flight was still scheduled...LOL Thought it was strange no one else was in line. We got to the airport 3 hours before our flight.

sugarae and gracie--surprising. Both times we have flown AA we had to show our test. I would never NOT do it though. Even if they checked no one else on my flight, they would check me, with my luck!

boucharda--Yeah, I worry about having great internet on island. Most of the time it's fine, but the ONE time you NEED it to work, it doesn't.

We've flown both JB and AA since this return protocol was put in place and both airlines asked to see the forms even though no one checked them uupon arrival in the US. Both times we tested on SXM at Medworks just because we didn't want any hassle and it was easy and convenient.

We've heard many resorts now offer their own testing operations so we're planning on checking this option out before we book Medworks next trip.

So to clarify, wifi is required to fill out the attestation form online?

No, the proctored test must be OBSERVED by someone over the internet in order for it to be acceptable to enter the US.

Yes. You would need wifi to do it online. I just printed out 2 forms to take with us to fill out before I leave SXM. Saves time at PJIA.

EXACTLY !

Which sls did you use? Did you have to travel to Cole Bay?

Read the entire post, they used the location at Royal Islander.

I went to the one near the hospital on Hamster Dr.

SLS has various locations, we used the Royal Islander location

I plan on using the one next to Hollywood Casino like we did this last May. Short walk and results delivered to Front desk a ourt resort that evening at 9. Not going to bother driving somewhere to have it done. ight be a little more cost than some but not a big deal.

I see that but on there website it says that they only do Travelers antigen testing at the Colby location on hamster drive. So now I’m to assume they also do it across from Maho for Travelers?

I would check to be sure. When I scheduled and was there, I was told to go to the Hamster Dr. location. It was not a big deal to go to a location near the hospital. Things can and do change quickly on the island. They (SLS) were very responsive to emails.

sugarae - Where in Hope Estates did you get tested? I found a place called BioPole Antilles. Was it that one?

Steve

We were tested at the pharmacy beside the grocery store.

If you are staying on the French side, be sure to check with the managers at the property you are staying at. At Les Balcons, there is a nurse who comes to you unit and does the test. $100 per couple.

Marie Guiffant marie.guiffant@gmail.com will come to you by appointment and perform the test in your accomodations and give you the printed results on the spot. She charges $50 per person.We have used her 3X now and highly recommend her.Even though some of the information is filled in by hand on her form they have always been accepted by Verifly and AA.She is a nurse at an infirmary.

We sent multiple emails to Marie (from different email addresses) and never got a response. Maybe she was away for the two weeks we were on SXM

I sent you a PM.