SBH Now CDC COVID Level 2

[KevinS]

CNN is reporting that the CDC has lowered France from COVID Level 4 to Level 3, and St Barth from COVID Level 3 to Level 2.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/cdc-very-high-risk-travel-destinations-october-4/index.html


The CDC COVID Advisory page for St Barth can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-2/coronavirus-saint-barthelemy

 

[Izzy]

For those interested in CDC criteria:

How COVID-19 Travel Health Notices Are Determined (CDC)

St Barth (population ~10,000) is grouped with destinations that have populations up to 100,000. New case count over 4 weeks, not adjusted for population size, is the primary criterion within this grouping. Population-adjusted incidence rate is used as the primary criterion for populations over 100,000.

 

[TR561]

Going to be a huge season in St Barth...

 

[Jim Kelly-Evans]

Good news! Would be nice if the US State Department updated their site.

 

[cec1]

Going to be a huge season in St Barth...

HUGE! In 18 years, we never have had as many advance rental weeks.

 

[Eve]

HUGE! In 18 years, we never have has as many advance rental weeks.

That’s great! Glad we are booked for October, because we may find nowhere to stay in the spring. And sorry to use all our plane credits now, because airfare will be through the roof

 

[cec1]

That’s great! Glad we are booked for October, because we may find nowhere to stay in the spring. And sorry to use all our plane credits now, because airfare will be through the roof

It’s very exciting, Eve . . . barring a devastating hurricane in the next month or so, “the season” should be fantastic. I’m thrilled for “the island” economy and my friends there . . . in all respects. Merchants / restauranteurs, of course, deserve a great break after too many depressed years . . . and more generally, tourism fuels so much of the economy, from hardware stores to wine shops. One data point, I think, is going to be the success (anticipated) of the upcoming Gourmet Festival (which I’m looking forward to enjoying). Enjoy your return to SBH!

 

[Eve]

It’s very exciting, Eve . . . barring a devastating hurricane in the next month or so, “the season” should be fantastic. I’m thrilled for “the island” economy and my friends there . . . in all respects. Merchants / restauranteurs, of course, deserve a great break after too many depressed years . . . and more generally, tourism fuels so much of the economy, from hardware stores to wine shops. One data point, I think, is going to be the success (anticipated) of the upcoming Gourmet Festival (which I’m looking forward to enjoying). Enjoy your return to SBH!

hush!

 

[cassidain]

I’m thrilled for “the island” economy and my friends there . . . in all respects. Merchants / restauranteurs, of course, deserve a great break after too many depressed years . . .

years not just of this virus thing but the preceding years of economic trauma in the aftermath of Irma. hope they pull all the stops out this season.

 

[davesmom]

It’s very exciting, Eve . . . barring a devastating hurricane in the next month or so, “the season” should be fantastic. I’m thrilled for “the island” economy and my friends there . . . in all respects. Merchants / restauranteurs, of course, deserve a great break after too many depressed years . . . and more generally, tourism fuels so much of the economy, from hardware stores to wine shops. One data point, I think, is going to be the success (anticipated) of the upcoming Gourmet Festival (which I’m looking forward to enjoying). Enjoy your return to SBH!

It would be my great pleasure to add to the bottom line of the local merchants as always, much to the consternation of Davesdad..he's in for it after 4 or so years away...!

 

[Cwater]

Cheryl and I are delighted. Will be booking for July in the next few days…see you on the beach.

 

[shihadehs]

So does this mean we dont need to get Covid tested before going to island if we are vaccinated???
Heading down next month.

 

[krand1]

So does this mean we dont need to get Covid tested before going to island if we are vaccinated???
Heading down next month.

From your mouth to the "powers that be" ears! ray1: But I doubt it.

 

[KevinS]

So does this mean we dont need to get Covid tested before going to island if we are vaccinated???
Heading down next month.

This is a CDC Travel Notice only. It has no effect on the entry requirements for St Barth, or on the requirements for a return to the US.

 

[TR561]

So does this mean we dont need to get Covid tested before going to island if we are vaccinated???
Heading down next month.

London just dropped the requirement. Its' possible...

 

[Jim A]

London just dropped the requirement. Its' possible...

Yeah, but doesn't the UK require a test on or before day 2 of your arrival? That's way worse IMO. If I'm positive I'd rather find out and quarantine at home than on vacation in another Country and in a hotel room. Also, for me, it's much easier to find a convenient testing location in my own neighborhood than in another Country during my vacation.

I know this isn't popular, but I for one think pre-travel testing should be done. It isn't perfect of course, but it's a safety precaution that I think should remain for a little longer. YMMV

 

[MantyPam]

We received the following today in an email from Tradewind concerning our 2022 flight information. This seems to imply we still need a negative Covid test within 72 hours correct, even if fully vaccinated?

VACCINATED PASSENGERS:
Vaccinated travelers may enter St Barths. Vaccination is now required for travelers age 12 or older. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 can enter St Barths if accompanied by an adult family member that is vaccinated or has a compelling reason for entry.

Per French rules, a person is considered vaccinated:
7 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca)
4 weeks after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson)
2 weeks after the first injection of a vaccine in people with a previous history of Covid-19

TESTING REQUIREMENT:
The requirement for testing is based on the current risk classification by France. The updated map can be found here.

Vaccinated residents of an ORANGE country must present a negative test before boarding:
rt-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival
Antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival

Vaccinated residents of a GREEN country no longer need to be tested prior to arrival.

Note: The United States and United Kingdom are currently classified as ORANGE.

UNVACCINATED PASSENGERS:
Unvaccinated travelers aged 12 or older, regardless of country color classification, must have a pre-approved compelling reason for travel. Click here for the acceptable compelling reasons for travel and supporting documentation. Note: travel and tourism does not qualify as a compelling reason.
Unvaccinated passengers must also present a negative COVID-19 test at Tradewind check-in. Upon arrival in St Barths, unvaccinated travelers must isolate for 7 days, and test negative for COVID-19 on Day 7 upon completion of their isolation.
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS:
If you have additional questions or if these new regulations are restrictive for your upcoming travel plans, please contact us and we will be happy to assist. Itinerary changes may be made at no additional charge. Credit from cancellations will be held on account for one year.
Thank you,
The Tradewind Team

 

[Jim A]

PCR test within 72 hours
Rapid Antigen within 48 hours - IMO rapid antigen is the way to go if testing sites are convenient for you. Results within as little as 20 minutes. No stress about not getting results back in time

But by the time you go, who knows what the rules will be

 

[TR561]

My prediction, there will be not testing to come or go, by January....

 

[Jim A]

My prediction, there will be not testing to come or go, by January....

I suspect a lot of that would depend on where we are with regard to the cases in other Countries like the US. I hope you are right and we get to a point where that happens ray1: