debd
Senior Insider
Thank you to Kevin, and so many others, for real time updates in this ever changing environment.
For those of us (possibly over analytical, planner types), would those of you "in the know" mind taking a look at this attempt at a summary of the current travel situation (subject to change at any moment), and "yay" or "nay" and "fill in any blanks?
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As in the past, the two most common connections to reach SBH are through SXM and SJU.
Flight travel through SJU is provided by Tradewinds, and through SXM by Winward and St. Barth Commuter. There is a premium to travel with Tradewinds, but, by reports, they have done an exceptional job managing and streamlining the COVID related process for travelers. As always, there are various well qualified premium services available to support travelers through SXM. There is always a "do it yourself” option as well through SXM. Those traveling through SXM during the recent “quiet” travel period have reported a relatively seamless “do it yourself” process, albeit possibly innocuously inconsistent and possibly subject to a different experience as “the season” kicks in, and there is increased visitor traffic.
To enter the island, there is a requirement (at this time) of evidence that a PCR test has been administered w/in 72 hours of arrival. Reports are that people have successfully fulfilled that requirement by various means, often paying a premium to do so. Unless the lab results' email is directly from a lab, recommendations are to have a hard copy of the results on your person. Results tend to be "date stamped," rather than "time stamped."
If staying on SBH for more than 7 days, an additional PCR test must be administered on SBH, at the traveler’s expense. Currently, the lab is open an hour a day, Monday to Friday (Saturday?). (not posting hours here as a real (or near) time check is recommended.)
If traveling through SXM, there is a special paperwork requirement, the EHAS form, which can be completed on line after receipt of negative COVID test results. SXM will acknowledge receipt and, within a couple of hours, grant access to the island. Reports are that while the paperwork has been reviewed by the departing airline, it was not necessarily considered by SXM employees. There are reports that SXM is considering requiring some sort of COVID related expense insurance. TBD.
Current reports are that an SXM in transit passenger, departing FROM SBH (currently classified as a "low risk" island), is not required to have recent testing. (need to confirm, however, of an EHAS form needs to be completed?, even if "in transit.")
On island reports are mixed. There are reports of masks generally being used in restricted areas. Although some visitors require testing results for entry, that is not the case, at this time, for all “off island” visitors. There has been a reported increase in cases on SBH attributed to untested “off island” visitors and some residents returning from Portugal. So far, there have been no deaths, and only one patient was airlifted off island (to the best of my recollection).
If a traveler becomes ill, the options for U.S. residents are to be transported to Guadeloupe or the U.S. (SXM?). Medjet is expanding coverage, related to COVID illness, as of October 19, but with notable restrictions and benefit qualifications worth reviewing. (link provided on Medjet thread)
Depending on the state to where you are returning, there may be a 14 day quarantine requirement for returning from SBH.
Another consideration for travelers is the "expense" (financial and emotional) should a traveler receive a positive test within the 72 hour window, and need to cancel flights and accommodations.
All this detail aside, those who have been on island through the various stages of the island's pandemic management, and those who have recently visited the island, share uplifting reports of its ever present beauty, serenity and refuge. Aaaaaah.
For those of us (possibly over analytical, planner types), would those of you "in the know" mind taking a look at this attempt at a summary of the current travel situation (subject to change at any moment), and "yay" or "nay" and "fill in any blanks?
---------------
As in the past, the two most common connections to reach SBH are through SXM and SJU.
Flight travel through SJU is provided by Tradewinds, and through SXM by Winward and St. Barth Commuter. There is a premium to travel with Tradewinds, but, by reports, they have done an exceptional job managing and streamlining the COVID related process for travelers. As always, there are various well qualified premium services available to support travelers through SXM. There is always a "do it yourself” option as well through SXM. Those traveling through SXM during the recent “quiet” travel period have reported a relatively seamless “do it yourself” process, albeit possibly innocuously inconsistent and possibly subject to a different experience as “the season” kicks in, and there is increased visitor traffic.
To enter the island, there is a requirement (at this time) of evidence that a PCR test has been administered w/in 72 hours of arrival. Reports are that people have successfully fulfilled that requirement by various means, often paying a premium to do so. Unless the lab results' email is directly from a lab, recommendations are to have a hard copy of the results on your person. Results tend to be "date stamped," rather than "time stamped."
If staying on SBH for more than 7 days, an additional PCR test must be administered on SBH, at the traveler’s expense. Currently, the lab is open an hour a day, Monday to Friday (Saturday?). (not posting hours here as a real (or near) time check is recommended.)
If traveling through SXM, there is a special paperwork requirement, the EHAS form, which can be completed on line after receipt of negative COVID test results. SXM will acknowledge receipt and, within a couple of hours, grant access to the island. Reports are that while the paperwork has been reviewed by the departing airline, it was not necessarily considered by SXM employees. There are reports that SXM is considering requiring some sort of COVID related expense insurance. TBD.
Current reports are that an SXM in transit passenger, departing FROM SBH (currently classified as a "low risk" island), is not required to have recent testing. (need to confirm, however, of an EHAS form needs to be completed?, even if "in transit.")
On island reports are mixed. There are reports of masks generally being used in restricted areas. Although some visitors require testing results for entry, that is not the case, at this time, for all “off island” visitors. There has been a reported increase in cases on SBH attributed to untested “off island” visitors and some residents returning from Portugal. So far, there have been no deaths, and only one patient was airlifted off island (to the best of my recollection).
If a traveler becomes ill, the options for U.S. residents are to be transported to Guadeloupe or the U.S. (SXM?). Medjet is expanding coverage, related to COVID illness, as of October 19, but with notable restrictions and benefit qualifications worth reviewing. (link provided on Medjet thread)
Depending on the state to where you are returning, there may be a 14 day quarantine requirement for returning from SBH.
Another consideration for travelers is the "expense" (financial and emotional) should a traveler receive a positive test within the 72 hour window, and need to cancel flights and accommodations.
All this detail aside, those who have been on island through the various stages of the island's pandemic management, and those who have recently visited the island, share uplifting reports of its ever present beauty, serenity and refuge. Aaaaaah.
