TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin So is it everyone not coming ???

Yes Dear and same over here literally no business for some. Prayers and strenght.

Yes, that is a concern as well. In addition to job security. Our State budget has been decimated. We are awaiting to hear about layoffs, and there will definitely be furloughs. Loss of income.

And those of us who continue to be lucky enough to work are being super cautious with spending, and are saving for the "what if"....when it comes.

November 3rd. November 3rd.

And I just saw that Anguilla will charging people some outrageous cost when they do open up.

Tyvek? probably not, but cheap disposable sweats/hoodie from Walmart.

We can easily social distance after some trips to grocery. Good year for shop n drop.

We either go New Years or June.

How many businesses can last without all of us for a year+?

Travel if you can accept the risk, stay home if you cant.

Be safe, wash your hands.

We are hopeing to go for 2 weeks October 31 but the 72 hour test may make it impossible. Our best chance is if Sxm allows other testing. I understand that will be tough for the island but if they don't I suspect many island businesses might not survive.

But test are being done at the Airport , I think ?

Waiting until May of 2021. Testing requirements are scaring me !!

You may need a test and results done in the US to board your flight. I don't know for sure but it is not a chance I would take.

Lesley, surprised you don't know this.

https://stmaartenupdates.com/#Requirements

Yes Dear , I do know of this but not all of the details.

Actually, that is the first that I have seen that line in the statement about "incorrect type of tests are subject to retesting onsite at the airport (US $125). Allegedly it's been there since August 6? OK..

Who knows as they constantly change/update/flip-flop on what is required and little official information is given in a timely manner, especially on the government site.

Delta just cancelled our three week trip starting Oct 25, so now we don't have to worry about jumping through the hoops, we will wait til next year and hope things improve.

Booked to arrive Oct. 31st so long as the planes can get us there and the French side is open by then.

CaribEagle--now, the French side being open by then, that's a whole 'nother situation. NO idea when that will happen.

Carol- I am hopeful with the US numbers steadily going down that by the end of Oct. the EU travel ban on US citizens will be lifted, we shall see.

Best wishes. I hope that is true, on both counts.

I think it will only be lifted as long as the EU covid cases flatten out and the US lifts travel restrictions from those countries. Until then French St Martin will follow mainland France in regards to that.

Spain and France are going WAAAY in the wrong direction so not much hope right now

I see French side cases at 117 now and climbing. Not good.

Our december Air Transat flight just cancelled....

Wow!...that's an out there date.

Once the medical issues are resolved, their are also the political issues - country A will not allow entry by citizens of country B until country B allows entry of citizens from country A. If you look at the "do not enter" lists, there is little rhyme or reason to them but I suspect there will be some political posturing about it.

Not to mention probably quarantine requirements.

Delaware just changed theirs again.

We are going in November.
Maybe it is a Zen thing. The low puffy clouds, beautiful beaches and stunning sunrises really are worth it. We did not like missing our Spring trip at all and going there will make up for it as best we can and the imminent darkness and cold of late fall and winter here will seem less intolerable. We will exercise precautions going to SXM just like we would when staying here in MA. Sure, there will be limitations but we are okay with that.
Not waiting for travel conditions to be absolutely perfect. In two years we will look back and say glad we did.

Kenny’s/Leslie

We have never met yet we have been going to the Island for many many many years. Part of our not meeting was the fact that initially we drove but later used cabs.

We are committed after reading this thread to use your services.
We thank you for supporting this thread.

If the French side allows us to travel in November you can count us as a customer for a couple of weeks and hopefully for many years to come.

I would ask any undecided travelers to give you a call.
Thank you for supporting this site and I hope we can meet you in mid November.

carib cheers,
doctorj

We ae still trying to visit from Nov. 26th through December 12th. The real issue is trying to get the PCR test taken and the results uploaded within 72hours from take off. Plus what happens if you have uploaded the results and you still haven't received the the authorization from SXM?

Have you found a place to get the PCR test in MA? I've been told I can only get one if I have symptoms or have been exposed to someone infected. Thanks!

That's a problem everywhere. There are lots of places which promise "rapid results". There are zero places which say what type of test they do.

As to "exposed", pick a protest and say that you went to it. You did join the protest, didn't you?

For MA, Google "MA COVID Testing" and one of the suggested links will be to a list of the sites in MA where you can get tested. But again, not a single word about the type of test,

Good morning Doctor,
Thanks very much for your kind words and me and my Wife will be looking forward to meeting you. Once your plans are arrange please send an E-mail to bruce@sintmaarten.net and we will make the arrangements for the car reservation.
Current times are really rough but we all are trying our best.
Kind regards, Lesley E.Bruce.

"As to "exposed", pick a protest and say that you went to it. You did join the protest, didn't you?"
Just your luck the form you get back will have reason for test was exposure which will red flag you entering SXM. Not a good thing to lie to get a test.

I haven't found one in MA but the RI Convention center does RT-PCR tests for asymptomatic visitors from red zone states AND travelers needing a test that is required for travel....not near you but might be worth looking into....test results reportedly within 24-48 hours

P.I.A that MA doesn't have a similar set up

Important note on the RI Convention Center testing... they’re targeting an average results time of 48 hours. There is no guarantee but I suppose it is better than nothing.

Correct....a friend of mine got his results the next day but no guarantee with that....but seems better than the "maybe in 72 hours" group

Edit: They (we) need that saliva test to be accepted....same day results....THAT works

The rapid test I can get here in texas is not the one they accept. Can't get a guarantee other than 72 hours. Problem is if you fly out on a Saturday or Sunday that makes it even harder to meet the deadline.

I'm hopefully flying out Friday first thing and got two tests today. I hope one of them will come back by Thursday night. No place around here can guarantee more than 3-5 days, but the last time I got tested it took 2 days, so fingers crossed.

Best wishes, Angelface!! I truly hope you are able to get home..

I would call it common sense not paranoid

Okay.

We are hoping to travel to SXM in November and then again in January. The issue appears to be obtaining a test within the required timeframe to meet SXM regulations. Hopefully it becomes easier to obtain tests because it may be the hurdle that prevents travel.

The issue I now see is that airlines have started scheduling flights, but passengers may not be booking due to uncertainly of obtaining the required tests, among other things of course, therefore the airlines are canceling the flights - case in point Delta. They had flights scheduled and have subsequently cancelled them - my guess is due to lack of demand.