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

Can't blame tourists not booking. Too many restrictions and hoops to jump through to get there and be able to enjoy the island. French side currently off limits with no end in sight.

tuesday ain't good either...do not think labs work sundays...or the possibility to get a test on weekend....at least it is my thot....will look into more deeply as November approaches

Certainly will!
Can’t wait to meet you on our Island home away from home!
carib cheers
doctorj

Thanks Carol! Fingers crossed!!

Check out the thread on CDC no testing needed for asymptomatic people....might affect ability to even get a test

We made the hard decision not to come this October. We'll miss it very much, but too many requirements that could be changed or go wrong at the last moment. Plus a little nagging worry- what if we get sick while on island, or what if we can't get home.... It all adds up to it's just not worth it for us, I'm very sorry to say.

For us it's a combination of issues. We are both in a high risk group due to us being in our sixties. We don't believe it to be responsible behavior to travel during this pandemic. Asymptomatic transmission of this deadly virus is a very real concern. Testing only tells you if you are virus free at that moment in time providing of course the test is accurate.Traveling to an island with such limited medical resources is frankly selfish and irresponsible. We won't do it. We will be back when the pandemic is over.

Understand and stay safe, but the pandemic will never be over but put in control.

Lesley, I'm not sure you understand how difficult the requirements that the island government has set forth will be for many of us to comply with. Perhaps those in a big city can get test results within 72 hours of flying, but those of us who live in more rural areas may not. People who live on the West coast of the US must leave their homes a full day before their connecting flight, so they only have two days to get their results. I am hoping that your government will choose to accept the newer rapid tests, which are actually being shown to be at least as reliable, if not more, than the PCR test which must be sent to a lab for processing. We very much want to come, and feel confident that we can ensure that we can do that safely. For us, your government's requirements are the only stumbling point at this time. It's certainly not paranoia that may keep us from coming.

My feelings too

Definitely NOT paranoia but the issue of getting the test results prior to departure. With my Sunday arrival that makes it impossible....even adding a few days at the beginning still doesn't guarantee I will get results before Thursday or Friday departure. THAT is my only issue....

Respectfully when the pandemic is under control it is effectivly no longer a pandemic. It will end.

Oh yeah. Then it’s just a little ole EPIDEMIC!!! Lol

Let's hope for the best .

Diseases, pandemic or otherwise always exist but most are controlled....same will eventually happen with COVID,,,it won't disappear but it may be controlled with vaccines for those who accept that they work

The main problem for me and several couples I know is the testing requirements. I understand the need for the health and safety of the residents and visitors but the 72 hour turnaround is problematic for most in the US. There are other tests that are supposed to be as accurate but with more rapid results. If these tests are as accurate as reported I think the islands business owners such as yourself should lobby the government officials to look into them. If that can be accomplished I believe you will see a significant increase of visitors which would needed to help the local business's and there employees.

I would be very inclined to agree - if these tests show a proven accuracy rate it would make it lifetimes easier for those here wanting to visit the island, therefore upping the numbers and making everyone happy.

I know from a personal perspective I’m itching to be in SXM but I’m only willing to jump through so many hoops to be there and if the tests available here aren’t in compliance with what the island is requiring, that will probably be the deciding factor for me.

So with all this conversation, my question to answer everything is the latest announcement by the CDC that nearly all the “Covid 19” deaths we’re misclassified, the actual number of Covid 19 deaths is around 10,000. Believe it folks, read the CDC website.

And, in recognition of this fact all hotels on the island are offering free rooms through the end of the year, all bars are complimentary, and restaurant meals are 85% off. Oh, and casino slots payout at 150% and tables pay out 10 to 1 on blackjack.

On the SXM Port webcam I saw 2 cruise ships. Are they empty or do they have tourists ?

The CDC did offer some revised statistics, that is factual. TABLE 2
Your post is not factual and neither are joking matters

No tourists, just crew and probably dropping some crew off and taking on fuel and/or supplies.

Just like everything else about this virus. No one really has any idea.

Mr. St Martin--BS

I read the CDC website. Don't throw out facts unless you link the facts. There's no "misclassified" (sic). Here's the fact as of 8/30:

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases

My post wasn't a joke it was mockery. Big difference.

Can’t we all just get along?

My sentiments too.

Due to the length of this, time to end it and it is drifting off-topic.