Sint Maarten: Authorities ease certain COVID-19-related travel restrictions as of Oct. 6 /update 22

Event

Authorities in Sint Maarten have eased some COVID-19 travel restrictions as of Oct. 6. Authorities have replaced the category of "banned" territories with a new category of "very-high-risk" territories. Non-residents were previously not allowed to enter Sint Maarten from "banned" territories; the updated restrictions currently allow non-resident travelers to enter from these locations following COVID-19 requirements.

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 low-risk, high-risk, and very-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 U.S. In some cases the restrictions also vary based on the vaccination status of travelers and whether they are residents of Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Eustatius, or Saba. Specific restrictions include the following:

• 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, Barbados, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, China, Grenada, Hong Kong, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saba, Singapore, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

• High risk: All countries and territories not listed as either low risk or very-high-risk are considered high-risk locations. These restrictions apply to all travelers who have been in these locations within the 14 days prior to arrival. Fully vaccinated residents 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 departure. Unvaccinated 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 five days after arrival and submit daily health information to authorities during this period.

• Very high risk: Travelers who have been in a territory considered to be very high risk in the 14 days prior to entering Sint Maarten are subject to these restrictions. All fully vaccinated travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure. All arrivals who are not fully vaccinated are required to present a negative result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 24 hours before departure. All arrivals must self-monitor for five days after arrival and submit daily health information to authorities during this period. Territories under this risk rating 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.

• Canada and U.S: Travelers entering from Canada, and the U.S. (including U.S. 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 their residency and vaccination status.

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