Sint Maarten: Authorities update COVID-19 travel restrictions as of Aug. 19 /update 20

Event

Authorities in Sint Maarten continue to update COVID-19-related travel restrictions as of Aug. 19. Testing requirements for unvaccinated residents coming from high risk countries were updated.

All arriving individuals, including residents and most in-transit passengers, are required to submit a mandatory health authorization via Sint Maarten's Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS). Same-day transit travelers going to Saba via Princess Juliana Airport Sint Maarten (SXM) only need to submit an application through the Saba EHAS system. Additionally, all foreign nationals, except residents, French nationals residing in France or a French territory, crewmembers, and transit/transfer passengers staying less than 24 hours, must have the mandatory SXM Protection Plan health insurance.

Authorities in Sint Maarten classify countries and territories as either banned, low-risk, or high-risk locations based on their individual levels of COVID-19 activity and impose restrictions accordingly. Different restrictions are in place for those arriving from Canada or the US. In some cases the restrictions also vary based on the vaccination status of travelers and whether they are a citizen or resident of Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Eustatius, or Saba. Specific restrictions include the following:

• Banned: Nonresidents who have been in a banned country in the previous 14 days remain prohibited from entering Sint Maarten. Residents and citizens of Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Eustatius, or Saba can enter from a banned country but must present a negative result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure, regardless of their vaccination status. Banned countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

• Low risk: All travelers can enter from these locations without being required to produce a COVID-19 test result. Locations designated as low risk for COVID-19 transmission include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, China, Dominica, Grenada, Hong Kong, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saba, Singapore, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, and Turks and Caicos islands.

• High risk: All countries and territories not listed as either banned or low risk are considered high-risk locations. The following restrictions apply to all travelers who have been in these locations within the 14 days prior to arrival. Fully vaccinated residents and citizens of Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Eustatius, or Saba must present a negative result from either an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or from an antigen test taken within the 48 before travel. Unvaccinated citizens and residents and all non-resident arrivals, regardless of their vaccination status, must present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. All arrivals must self-monitor for 5 days after arrival and submit daily health information to authorities during this period.

• Canada and US: Travelers entering from Canada, and the US (including US territories) can present either a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or an antigen test taken 48 hours before departure. The requirement applies to all arrivals regardless of whether they are residents or fully vaccinated.

Maritime crews and passengers must also complete the EHAS application and, unless the vessel has been in a low-risk location for the last 14 days prior to arrival, passengers must present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken within 120 hours before departure from the last port. All crew and passengers must quarantine on board until health authorization approval is received. Vessels can transit for up to 48 hours without these requirements, but all crew and passengers must quarantine onboard.

Domestically, all persons must wear protective facemasks in public places, including at the airport, on public transportation, and in any 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