TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin US to require negative test for returning international flights

I believe the CDC has previously stated that you are immune for at least 90 days after testing positive and as I remember the new directive, it says you do not need to test if you were positive in the previous 90 days. All we have with us here in SXM is the test report stating that we were tested positive in December and an email from our county health department releasing us from our mandatory isolation. My concern is that some gate agent at the airport will not take that to be official enough.

Doc Soc just asked the question to the PM if they will be prepared to give tests to visitors for their return flights to US. She indicated they would be and have 2 weeks to prepare for it.

Honestly, I don't see any way that they will be able to give that many tests, in a prompt fashion.

I would hope that they will allow the Rapid test, which is Viral from what I have read. If they allow that then results with in an hour are common, just had two friends test at the PDX airport to fly to Hawaii and they got their results back in under an hour. The cost was about $130 with proof of upcoming travel. I see that in San Jose Del Cabo the rapid test is under $50, that is our next destination. My assumption is that SXM could do the same, again assuming the rapid will be acceptable.

What I also read on the rapid however is that it has a high rate of "false positive" results, like 20% range.

We are not cancelling our April trip to SXM, and I have to believe that somehow this is going to work out and not crush travel. Think Positive, but don't become positive.
Cheers from the mighty Pacific NW !

Doc Soc just asked the question to the PM if they will be prepared to give tests to visitors for their return flights to US. She indicated they would be and have 2 weeks to prepare for it

As I posted earlier

Yeah, I know that's what she SAID. I think she's full of it.

Yep.

How many flights to the USA operate each day? I don't know, but we have JB, AA (CLT & MIA), DL (ATL & JFK), UA (LGA & IAD), Spirit. Plus Winair to SJU. I know I missed some. Anyway, that's at least ten to twelve per day, and likely more on some days. They're looking at as many as 1,000 passengers that need to be tested. For flights on a single day.

That's a lot.

That is the current process in the USA for travel TO SXM. They enforce the rules of travel to SXM..yes, not CDC rules but rules necessary to travel....I can't see an issue with travel back (from an airline verification process) but the testing procedure is a biggie problem

You need a passport and negative test...type of test TBA.....maybe

But think of the profit that they could make on this, if they get about $25 profit per test then that is $25k per day. Think like a politician, how do you line your pockets off of the situation and part of that is the need to keep people visiting the island.

YUp...as I said previously they are doing $130/tests for arrivals....not a biggie to set up for departures

But that is not NEARLY for everyone who arrives. Not sure what the percentage is of arrivals, far less than 10%, one would think.

This was taken from the FAQ section of CDC.gov .... they indicate they will accept both types of tests. We've gotten a list of several clinics that can supply them from the Airbnb owner we are staying with. We are going to head on down and hope they get it ironed out by mid February. We'll keep monitoring - I'd guess things can change quickly!

When do I need to get a test to travel to the US? And what kind of test do I need?

Get tested no more than 3 days before your flight to the US departs. Make sure to be tested with a viral test (NAAT or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Also make sure that you receive your results before your flight departs and have documentation of your results to show the airline.

Sorry, I am NOT buying that at all. Way too many changes from previous statements, timing and protocol for dealing with tourists.

This is a nightmare...

https://apnews.com/article/us-will-require-travelers-covid-19-test-7bd66c0014e597f930423c86beca5707

That story is not accurate. It makes no mention of the exception for those who have had the illness and have been given clearance from their physician to travel.

I don't think a note from your MD will suffice. I did not see that in any country entry restrictions. Antibody test..yes ...for some

I read that here (link).
"Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board" (emphasis added).

It's also here (link).
"you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.” (emphasis added)

So, yeah, only a note from a MD will not suffice. Positive test result needed as well.

And that is the problem. The CDC has placed airline ticket counter employees as arbiters of what's valid and what's not. I have a positive test result, and a note from a doctor. I hope it works when I am scheduled to leave the island next month. In addition, I plan to bring a printed version of the CDC webpages referenced above to present to the ticket counter employee.

You are correct and I was mainly referring to LEAVING the USA and the requirements of each country. My response was not appropriate for this thread directed to returning passengers

Maho group announced just that..starts on the 20th...guests and staff

I have "heard" (rumor and hearsay are such wonderful things!) that if you have received the vaccine you will then test positive with the Rapid Antigen test. That seems to be the test that will most likely be readily available on SXM. I'm curious if anyone has actual experience with this. Seems like a catch 22 situation.

Suppose you test positive upon returning to US what happens to you?

I expect the rules in your state is the same as just about everywhere Self quarantine

I would have to think that it has more to do with the fact that if you have recovered, you are no longer able to TRANSMIT the disease? They aren't concerned about re-infection.

Better than testing positive BEFORE you return

But you can get it again, at which point you can again transmit it. Therefore, if you became reinfected while abroad, you can transmit it on the plane or when you get home. Total stupidity, in my opinion, and a very poorly thought out plan.

Daily Herald story

I have zero level of confidence this is going to work out. Glad I don't have a trip coming up soon.

Yes, I guess time will tell, but my confidence level is about non-existent.

I'm headed down in February. It's my plan to travel with evidence of a positive SARS-CoV2 test along with a document from a physician indicating that I am clear to travel. This will be my safety net, in the event that I don't receive my test results in time for departure.

Sorry, a POSITIVE test????

It's right here (LINK)
"Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board" (emphasis added).

It's also here (LINK)
"you may travel instead with documentation of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery” (emphasis added).

(Positive test with my name on it is dated early December.)

OK, those links are both to the CDC, which is for re-entry into the US . You are talking apples and oranges. Your post was talking about is entry into SXM , which is a WHOLE different thing. As far as I can see, there is no similar 'out' in the Travel Requirements for SXM. LINK

LOL.... this thread has gone back and forth regarding which way a person is travelling.

I was responding in reference to the original post and Title (as well as replying to your post referencing your "zero level of confidence").

But, yeah. To get TO this island, you need a negative test. To leave the island headed to the USA, you need negative test or the documentation that I referenced.

Whew!

Simpson Bay Resort will do testing for travelers starting on the 20th of January...and Maho/Sonesta group announced the same earlier.

Edit: Just read another thread mentioning this....oops