04 Feb 2021 | 10:42 AM UTC
Sint Maarten: Officials enforcing COVID-19-related travel bans for several countries as of Feb. 4 /update 13
As of early February, Sint Maarten is enforcing travel bans for several countries due to COVID-19. Test requirements to be revised Feb. 12.
Event
As of Feb. 4, officials in Sint Maarten are enforcing a travel ban for visitors arriving from several countries assessed to have a high coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission risk. Foreign nationals and nonresidents who in the previous 14 days have been in a high-risk country will not be permitted entry; residents of Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are exempt, but arrivals will be subject to additional COVID-19 testing requirements. Banned regions and countries include all of South America, as well as the UK, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic.
Officials will continue to conduct temperature checks and other screening protocols for all returning residents and authorized travelers from low-risk countries. Some passengers may be subject to mandatory testing at their own expense. Other travel protocols are:
Regardless of country of origin, all air travelers, including transits, must complete a mandatory health authorization application through an Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) ahead of travel.
Travelers from high-risk countries and territories aged 10 and over must present proof of a valid negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, taken up to 120 hours before departure, or an approved antigen test performed within 48 hours prior to departure. Effective Feb. 12, the PCR test will need to have been taken within 72 hours before travel instead of 120; this new requirement is already being enforced for travelers from Aruba.
Travelers from high-risk countries must complete 14 days of self-monitoring for health symptoms.
Travelers from low-risk countries and territories do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test provided they have remained in a low-risk country for 14 consecutive days before departure.
Maritime crews and passengers must complete the EHAS application within 36 hours of arrival, during which time a PCR test must also be taken. All crew and passengers must quarantine on board until health authorization approval is received.
All foreign nationals, except residents, crewmembers, and transit/transfer passengers, are required to have the mandatory SXM Protection Plan health insurance.
As of Feb. 4, only the following locations are considered low-risk: Anguilla, Antiqua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, China, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Sint Eustatius, and Thailand. All other countries and territories as classified as high-risk.
Within Sint Maarten, wearing a facemask is mandatory in all public places, including the airport, public transportation, supermarkets, and in all areas where social distancing is not possible. Individuals must stay at least 1.5-2 meters (5-6 feet) away from each other at all times.
Authorities could expand or ease the travel bans with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity in international destinations over the coming weeks.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by local health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements.
Resources
WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Sint Maarten EHAS Information
Sint Maarten Country Risk Classifications
