TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin naso-pharyngeal swab test for Covid 19

Is the naso-pharyngeal swab test for covid the only acceptable test they now will accept for entry into St Maarten now. There are newer tests that are less invasive that are rt-PCR as well but they are not naso-pharyngeal swab instead the one we can get here through a Ma. Government sponsored test that uses swabs in both nostrils that doesn't go as far back into your head. Please respond.

As far as I know, and according to the SXM COVID info site, nothing has changed YET....RT-PCR is the only acceptable test

Yes I read that but they clearly state only naso-pharyngeal swab type RT-PCR test is acceptable. That is my dilemma. I would like to hear from some who have recently visited the Island to see what type rt-PCR test they had?

I would think, since it's the only acceptable test right now, that is the test they all had. I don't see a dilemma since there is no other listed option. Maybe in the near future it will change but right now "It is what it is". We did it for St. Thomas...only acceptable test there also

Now if you are assuming some visitors came with no test results that is another issue,,,,,and an issue with the uninformed

You are correct. The only specimen collection format that they have listed as currently acceptable is the "NP Swab" or "Naso-Pharyngeal swab". There are both nano, oral, and spit specimens collection methods that use the RT-PCR for testing but the only specimen collection method that is listed as acceptable is the NP swab.

I had the MA test on Tuesday and got the results on Wednesday - the results describe the test as "qRT-PCR " . They swabbed both nostrils, but not that deeply (well, deeply enough!) and it was free. I figure that should get me on the plane, and if I have to have another test in SXM, so be it.

NOTHING has changed with regard to tests. There is discussion within the SXM government to make a change but it has not happened yet, at least not according to the government site.

TESTING

I find it amusing that the specify the collection method but don't specify the Ct (Cycle Threshold) used to determine a positive result which is far more important.

There was no confirmation of a negative test to get on the plane. It was STATED that the arriving destination required it but it was no confirmed before travel. The qRT-PCR is not an acceptable test (right now) so you will be subject to re-testing and quarantine until the results are back.

I guess this is not an issue but I would definitely try to avoid testing in SXM just in case of a asymptomatic positive (or false positive) test which could create a fuster cluck of events

..and how did you complete the online entry form with an inappropriate test?

timnboston= did you submit your entry form and attach your test results to it for entry into St Maarten and get the OK from them back to you? That would be interesting if you did. Please respond as that is the free test I might take if you have no trouble with it.

That would be interesting to know

Didn't have to do any paperwork ahead of time -took maybe 5 minutes on-site. In Salem MA it was a drive-through - but if you walked in they took you right away. Had to walk a couple of blocks, but not big deal. I was in and out in maybe 15 minutes

My trip isn't until January, so I haven't submitted anything yet. But I work in tourism in Salem, so I've been getting tested every week. The drive up site in Salem is at Salem High School. And the hours are
M-W-F 2-6 and Tu-Th-Sat 10-2

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately we will have to take the naso-pharyngeal as the free test by the Ma. program doesn't offer it and St Maarten insists on the deep probe test. If anyone else who has recently gone to St Maarten from USA , please let us all know what test you took for entry.

Strange, on the stmaartenupdates.com website under the FAQ's it states a nasal swab PCR test for a big list of countries including the USA, but states a naso-pharyngeal swab for airline crew and transit passengers, seems like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing

And there have been other instances of mixed messages, confusing and contradictory requirements and differing statements made regarding entry to the island.

We just returned on Sunday. We did the deep nasal swab. Our tests say "PCR - Covid-19 Test - Final". While these test results were looked at upon arrival I would not say they were scrutinized. In my opinion they saw PCR and negative and stamped the results and we were sent on to immigration. It does not state on the test results that the method of collection was a deep nasal swab. That may be implied by the term PCR.

PCR testing is implied to be deep nasal. It may or may not be but it should be.

Logan Airport in BOS in a few weeks will open a testing site for travelers....three types of testing available at a price.

.. Nasal swab PCR test for $75...results in 1-3 days

....Rapid molecular test...$200...results in 15 minutes

...blood antibody test...no cost listed

I guess if depends on whether you are arriving and need a quick negative test to avoid quarantine or departing at a future date to a location that needs the PCR test...

I'm confused as to a PCR test with results in 1-3 days at an airport. I don't see the utility of that?

Like anywhere else it is an available site for testing. I would go to the RI convention center....those around BOS could go to the airport, have the test, and then return on the day of their flight.. MA is not too traveler friendly with regards to traveler testing and this is an available option for getting a result of an acceptable test in a reasonably short time....and at 75 bucks might be worth it.

Edit: I should add that this is NOT a MA run facility. It is a private company that have the contract....RI is offering travelers convenient testing and at no cost....

I just wonder why someone would go to the airport JUST to get a test. Seems very inconvenient, by the time you have to pay to park and walk a half mile to the terminal, etc..

Well....any additional options are welcome. It is not easy to get an asymptomatic test in MA. I tried to get one at CVS and I got this...



Need an MD referral and/or symptoms

...and not everyone has to drive to the airport and the Silver line is free from the airport to locations downtown

OK

Carol, my guess is that they are offering the test because MA is requiring people to quarantine for 14 days when returning from certain states. My sister live in MA and is currently visiting her daughter in NC. She will need to be tested on her return in order to get back to work.

Oh, ok. That makes a whole lot more sense. Thanks.

Yup...then you have the choice of the 15 minute or 1-3 day test....depends on how much you want to spend and if you want to isolate yourself for a couple of days....no biggie

Testing is being done for both employees (now) and passengers (mid-November). The capacity is reported to be 400 tests per day.

The cost for the Anibody test is $75. You can also get all 3 tests (1-3 day, Rapid, and Antibody) for $215.

The testing center is in Terminal E, the international terminal, which isn't all that convenient for anyone traveling to SXM.

As mentioned it is mainly for returning passengers on flights that need to go through customs...if you are on a direct flight from SXM you would land in Terminal E. They added the permission for any travelers going to test required destinations. If I lived in the greater Boston area I would be happy that there IS a place to go...

I would suggest if you think it is inappropriate or inconvenient then don't use that facility,,,,but it might be appropriate for many others both arriving and departing in the future...

Kinda sorry I even mentioned it.... back to my cave

boucharda--No need to be sorry..

How long did it take SXM to approve your results?

They haven’t been approved as their trip is in January 2021. So it looks like the NASO-Pharyngeal test is required.

We’re going to SXM a week from tomorrow. We’ll be testing on Tuesday. Will that timeframe work?

Tuesday test for a Saturday departure works....but Monday testing would give you an extra day for results to come back

..and make sure you are tested at a time later than your last connection departs....

Thanks

We as well are coming next Sat and we are getting tested Monday.

we are leaving on 10 Nov (tuesday), testing 6 Nov (Friday) should have document in hand by Monday morning

I would bump that up a day or two. Dealing with a weekend and having to upload day before you leave is cutting it close.

Agree....

I was told by my doctor that results are 24-48 hrs so we should be fine. Fingers crossed!