Everyone complains about the difficulty of finding tests, how expensive they are for priority testing, and the difficulty of getting the results in time for submission to EHAS. You provide them with factual info that gives them an inexpensive, quick and easy test that they can do at home and is accepted, and they are still not happy because the messenger is not one of the annointed. If you hadn't asked for help, I would have kept the information to myself.
There are only two ways of doing the BinaxNOW test, with telemed observation and without. You just said "Yes BinaxNOW is aceptable", the only way to get a lab report with results and the information needed for submission to EHAS is with the telemedicine option. It's very simple, so many are making it difficult for so many others.
Walgreen's does the BinaxNow in certain locations,,,not just telemedicine
Brian - I think you are missing the possible problem. The BinaxNow is given at the pharmacies as well. Did you read the responses I received from EHAS on 9/13. Granted I was asking about the Veritas (same telemed testing). They stated no telemed tests.
Praying they changed their tune and you are correct as it will make life so much easier. I will use the BinaxNow for my next trip in a month and see what happens.
Do you happen to know how they send you the results? Is it just through the NAVICA app? Or do they send a pdf?
I know that others provide this testing at their physical location . There are quite a few medical/pharmacy locations that use BinaxNOW for rapid antigen testing . There can be problems with some third party sites.(There are always problems with everhthing) Be it telemedicine or on-site medical observation , you need one or the other in order to get the required report. My focus has always been on the telemed because it is the simplest, fastest and cheapest method of rapid antigen testing. It was also the first way, to be accepted by the CDC, for travel.
Brian - I think you are missing the possible problem. The BinaxNow is given at the pharmacies as well. Did you read the responses I received from EHAS on 9/13. Granted I was asking about the Veritas (same telemed testing). They stated no telemed tests.
Praying they changed their tune and you are correct as it will make life so much easier. I will use the BinaxNow for my next trip in a month and see what happens.
Do you happen to know how they send you the results? Is it just through the NAVICA app? Or do they send a pdf?
I'm missing nothing!!! I posted links, in what I shared on this thread, to the official Government website for The Country of Sint Maarten. Those pronouncements were from 7 December 2020 and stated their acceptance of BinaxNOW for entry to Sint Maarten. At that time, the only way to get third party results of a BinaxNOW test was by telemedicine. I have received positive confirmation 3 times by email and once by phone, that's enough for me.
You can download the results as a PDF through the app.
None of this, doesn't mean that some won't experience problems and headaches, that is part of the joy of traveling to Sint Maarten. Being prepared and patient always makes for a better travel experience.
If anyone doubts the information, drive your hour each way to get your test, pay $150+ for each test for members of your family, and sweat with anxiety while you wait and hope that your results arrive in time for submission.
The QR code is issued along with your pre-approval after you submit your application on EHAS and they accept the completed form along with your test results.
kim and boucharda--I think you are correct. EHAS is referring to the Binax Now test given at PHARMACIES, not to the ones which are done by telemed. As of today, the EHAS website still says "Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted." I don't think they know the difference, because they don't state anything about telemed being accepted (or in this case "excepted" ), just that Binax Now is accepted.
kim and boucharda--I think you are correct. EHAS is referring to the Binax Now test given at PHARMACIES, not to the ones which are done by telemed. As of today, the EHAS website still says "Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted." I don't think they know the difference, because they don't state anything about telemed being accepted (or in this case "excepted" ), just that Binax Now is accepted.
Good Afternoon Carol, my email to EHAS makes that distinction-I can not speak for the website, but in reaching out to them directly, (and receiving written confirmation of such) it was made clear that this was with the use of telemed and at home, not at a pharmacy and not a home kit that was unproctored (no telemed services). Their email is good enough for me 37 days and counting!!
Subject:Clarification Re: BinaxNow Ag Home Test (monitored)
Good Afternoon Sir or Madame, I hope that this emails finds you well.
I am writing to you to get written confirmation that the Government of St. Maarten will accept the BinaxNow Ag Home Test, the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Card Home Test is FDA Emergency Use Authorized for entry into your country of St. Maarten. This test combined with eMed telehealth services, and eMed lab's results meet conditions of proof of negative COVID-19 test by the CDC. This test is monitored/proctored via the telehealth services and will provide the needed documentation of a negative result to then be uploaded to your official website.
Best wishes to you, but I still don't think they know the distinction you're trying to make because all they say is that the Binax test is excepted (sp). These people are probably getting literally dozens of such emails per day, and not reading them closely. Kim was told no on a telemedicine test, several times. I would definitely take a printed copy of the email with you when you go.
As of now, we are planning to try to do ID Now at Walgreens and probably will schedule a back-up pay test, in case that doesn't come back in time. Binax Now done by the pharmacy does not seem to be available anywhere around here. My theory is that they are using their supplies to sell them to people, as opposed to giving them free, which makes sense for them.
Best wishes to you, but I still don't think they know the distinction you're trying to make because all they say is that the Binax test is excepted (sp). These people are probably getting literally dozens of such emails per day, and not reading them closely. Kim was told no on a telemedicine test, several times. I would definitely take a printed copy of the email with you when you go.
As of now, we are planning to try to do ID Now at Walgreens and probably will schedule a back-up pay test, in case that doesn't come back in time. Binax Now done by the pharmacy does not seem to be available anywhere around here. My theory is that they are using their supplies to sell them to people, as opposed to giving them free, which makes sense for them.
I absolutely plan on printing that letter out, that was the main driver of me sending that to the EAHS, I wanted it in writing in the event there are any issues.
Best wishes to you, but I still don't think they know the distinction you're trying to make because all they say is that the Binax test is excepted (sp). These people are probably getting literally dozens of such emails per day, and not reading them closely. Kim was told no on a telemedicine test, several times. I would definitely take a printed copy of the email with you when you go.
As of now, we are planning to try to do ID Now at Walgreens and probably will schedule a back-up pay test, in case that doesn't come back in time. Binax Now done by the pharmacy does not seem to be available anywhere around here. My theory is that they are using their supplies to sell them to people, as opposed to giving them free, which makes sense for them.
I absolutely plan on printing that letter out, that was the main driver of me sending that to the EAHS, I wanted it in writing in the event there are any issues.
I would not risk it. They could dispute it upon arrival and then what.
IF a person gets acceptance through the EHAS website, the worst that could happen is that they could force you to re-test there in SXM at the airport. I think perhaps the cost is $100 PP there. IF they don't give you clearance to fly, then a person could be forced to pay through the nose, like we had to do last time, due to time constraints, when our test didn't come back in time. That was $150 PP. That was very stressful. I just hope this time that all goes well with our free test.. Florida is finally slowing down with new cases, so that is hopeful.
You will be fine with the IDNow. I’m going to attempt the telemed test next month and see what happens. Each time I’ve taken the IDNow I’ve sat in my car, swabbed my nose while the pharmacist was watching then put in sleeve and sent back through drive through. And that was my point with EHAS. So we will see. But as Bdeeley stated he has had no issues. So going to go for it!!!!
kim--yeah, well that's what they told us the last time with Walgreen's and the results didn't come back for three days, because we got tested on the weekend. That was a regular PCR test. I think we should be fine, just a little gun shy from last time.
kim--yeah, well that's what they told us the last time with Walgreen's and the results didn't come back for three days, because we got tested on the weekend. That was a regular PCR test. I think we should be fine, just a little gun shy from last time.
Big difference in time between a normal PCR test, sent away to a lab, and the ID now test, done at a lab in store. We got our ID now tests back in under 2 hours when we did them in June. We are testing tomorrow for our flight on Sunday, will let you know the time frame for results
Did the Walgreens IDNOW test at 2:30 p.m. on a Friday in August. Had our test results and St. Maarten approvals before we went to bed that Friday night. Made our Monday flight so much more enjoyable. That is definitely the way to go if you have access to it.
), just that Binax Now is accepted.
37 days and counting!!![[Linked Image]](http://www.caribbeanmag.com/cd/St._Maarten/201311160330_101.gif)
