St. Barth’s Commuter Covid Testing Requirements

[Tiffany]

Erik . . . I think that your assessment is morally, tragically flawed.

A close friend — fully vaccinated & “boosted” — recently died of Covid-related pneumonia contracted on SBH. In this history, it’s painfully cavalier to read your sentiment, as reflected in your observation of Sunday lunch at Nikki Beach, that “the show must go on.” There are barriers that can reduce such loss of life.

I’m so sorry to read this, and very sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

[kent1994]

The prefect is constantly in contact with the local authorities, airport management, tourist office, hotel association, etc....On a daily basis in fact. The Prefecture (and to some extent the ARS) do care about the island economic situation. They are fully aware that the whole island is depending on tourism and that new restrictions will definitely impact local businesses.

Stop panicking. Omicron variant is not as dangerous as the previous variants. Especially for kids. Clearly, hospitals are not full (and will not be). The vaccination rate on the island is high, impact will be minimal. And even if more people are getting infected, there will be no major consequences. The wave will go through and disappear within a few weeks.

It is clear that the authorities are assessing COVID cases, but the word seems to be, let this wave go through, since it is not as deadly as the previous ones, and it will increase herd immunity.

Not a reason to go back to more vaccinations, testing, masks, and all. The show must go on, and the party also. If you have any doubt, stop by Nikki Beach on a Sunday by lunch time, and you will see that St Barth does not want that.

Is this a serious post?

 

[Cwater]

I’m so sorry to read this, and very sorry for the loss of your friend.

I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. I am sorry for the loss of all family members and friends during the past few years due to this crisis. The world needs a health consciousness.

 

[Erik]

Erik . . . I think that your assessment is morally, tragically flawed.

“The wave will go through and disappear within a few weeks . . . let this wave go through, since it is not as deadly as the previous ones, and it will increase herd immunity . . . The show must go on, and the party also . . ..”

A close friend — fully vaccinated & “boosted” — recently died of Covid-related pneumonia contracted on SBH. In this history, it’s painfully cavalier to read your sentiment, as reflected in your observation of Sunday lunch at Nikki Beach, that “the show must go on.” There are barriers that can reduce such loss of life.

I, too, have lost a close friend due to COVID just a few days ago (who knows, maybe we are talking about the same person?). He was well-known on the island. I believe you misinterpreted my own opinion about it all. I was trying to reflect the general sentiment of most visitors and island residents. When talking about what happens at Nikki Beach (on Sundays, but in fact every day, and also at many other "party" places), one can easily witness that social distance is long gone, no one is wearing masks and covid seems to be a thing of the past. People have had enough of covid and it shows. The vacation mood and the freedom feeling is just too good to let go.

Meanwhile, the authorities turn a blind eye. Strong lobbying imposed by larger businesses (all under the mighty hotel and villa rental associations) make the actual rules. The whole island economy needs visitors to keep coming, more restrictions (vaccinations, tests...) will only reduce the flow of tourists coming in. It is the end of the season, and it's going exceptionally well this year.

Although strong restrictions were in place in 2019 and 2020, 2021 started to show that many of the rules have been relaxed in all directions. Surely, covid protocols exist but are rarely enforced. How many people have really been denied access to the island upon arrival? Do the Gendarmes at the airport booth really check all vaccination status and covid tests? They do ask, once in a while, to see some documents, but in reality the common procedure is to have a quick look at the passport and let people in.

Back to the latest covid cases on the island, a short (but interesting ) article from Le Journal de St Barth says it all: https://www.journaldesaintbarth.com...lletin-hebdomadaire-de-lars-202203312315.html

COVID : LE RETOUR DU BULLETIN HEBDOMADAIRE DE L’ARS 31/03/2022

Depuis le 8 mars, plus de nouvelle du Covid. Du moins officiellement. Aucun courriel, quotidien ou hebdomadaire, pour tenir informé de l’évolution de la situation à Saint-Barthélemy ou Saint-Martin. Ce jeudi, étonnement, la préfecture a relayé le « traditionnel » bulletin hebdomadaire de l’Agence régionale de santé de la Guadeloupe et des Iles du Nord. A Saint-Barthélemy, l’ARS signale 189 cas de covid en semaine 12, soit entre le 21 et le 27 mars. 63 nouveaux cas sont comptabilisés depuis lundi. en l’absence de données officielles depuis mi-février, difficile de savoir si ces chiffres marquent une hausse, une stabilité ou une baisse. Au-delà du taux d’incidence ou du taux de positivité, l’ARS remarque qu’aucune personne n’a été hospitalisée à Saint-Barth et indique qu’aucune évacuation sanitaire pour un cas grave de Covid n’a été enregistrée. Parallèlement, la préfecture de Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthélemy, comme celle de la Guadeloupe, confirme que l’état d’urgence sanitaire sera officiellement levé ce soir à minuit.


COVID: THE RETURN OF THE ARS WEEKLY BULLETIN 03/31/2022 (Google translate)

Since March 8, no more news about the Covid. At least officially. No email, daily or weekly, to keep informed of the evolution of the situation in Saint-Barthélemy or Saint-Martin. This Thursday, astonishingly, the prefecture relayed the "traditional" weekly bulletin from the Regional Health Agency of Guadeloupe and the Northern Islands. In Saint-Barthélemy, the ARS reports 189 cases of covid in week 12, i.e. between March 21 and 27. 63 new cases have been recorded since Monday. in the absence of official data since mid-February, it is difficult to know whether these figures mark an increase, stability or a decrease. Beyond the incidence rate or the positivity rate, the ARS notes that no one has been hospitalized in Saint-Barth and indicates that no medical evacuation for a serious case of Covid has been recorded. At the same time, the prefecture of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, like that of Guadeloupe, confirms that the state of health emergency will be officially lifted this evening at midnight.


This part is particularly worth noting:

Beyond the incidence rate or the positivity rate, the ARS notes that no one has been hospitalized in Saint-Barth and indicates that no medical evacuation for a serious case of Covid has been recorded. At the same time, the prefecture of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, like that of Guadeloupe, confirms that the state of health emergency will be officially lifted this evening at midnight.


Hence, my previous comments. There is no panic at this stage.

 

[ADorocke]

Erik- I agree in general and not just as to SBH. Tired of the "microscope" on this virus.

 

[Canuck]

Hahaha, WOW! This is one of the most confusing threads I’ve read on the Forum. Gotta tell you that I’m glad we’ve decided to wait for another year to go back. Hopefully by then SBC and every other authority involved will have their act together...don’t need hassles or stress when traveling to paradise!

 

[Cwater]

The argument that “covid is a thing of the past” “People have had enough of Covid and it shows” plus “ “the vacation mood” please. There needs to be an adult in the room. Arguing that Covid is past because we are tired of it is increasingly disingenuous. Of course business has struggled. I lost 35% of my student base. I have slowly built it back up to where it was March 2020 and better. We never ignored the reality and supported things that we disagreed with. Stay happy & health.

Thanks

 

[Erik]

There needs to be an adult in the room.

Say that to the party people at Nikki Beach.... :eyes-roll1:

 

[Cwater]

Say that to the party people at Nikki Beach.... :eyes-roll1:


View attachment 61590

good try!

 

[Erik]

Not a try, a fact. Obviously you've never been at Nikki Beach.

 

[Cwater]

Not a try, a fact. Obviously you've never been at Nikki Beach.

Thanks for knowing me better than I do. I remember when I used to carry Cheryl, when the tide was high, over the rocks to Nikki Beach. We would walk up from the beach at St. Jean just for the profiteroles. We even enjoyed Nikki Beach when it was Pelican on our honeymoon. Hey Erik, lets meet for drinks next time we visit our happy place.

 

[Erik]

Pelican! My first party on the island, back in 1994. Yannick Noah used to come to Pelican and play live music (always unscheduled and for free). It was just after he stopped his career as a pro tennis player and started his second career as a singer. That place had a real local vibe.

We surely can meet for drinks next time you're on the island. But I won't be wearing a face mask and won't be taking a covid test.

 

[cassidain]

But I won't be wearing a face mask and won't be taking a covid test.

+1