ST MAARTEN IS REMOVING ALL TESTING, VACCINATION RULES FOR TRAVELERS!
There’s been a significant shift in the Caribbean’s testing policies, with just about every destination in the region having lifted its entry rules.
Effective Nov. 1, the Friendly Island will no longer require travelers to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result in order to enter the island.
The news was confirmed by St Maarten Tourism Minister Omar Ottley this week.
It’s naturally a boost for the French side of St Martin as well, which relies on the Dutch side’s Princess Juliana International Airport for the vast majority of its visitors.
Travelers will only need to meet the “usual immigration and border control requirements to visit the island,” Ottley said.
St Maarten will, however, retain health officials at the airport to monitor passengers entering the country.
Travelers who may be experiencing flu-like signs or symptoms may be required to test before they depart the airport, the Minister said.
“St. Maarten has done exceptionally well in its fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) COVID-19. The Country is now fully engaged in restoring economic activity, and one key aspect of economic revitalization is the return of visitors in large numbers,” Ottley said. “At the same time, while we concentrate on rebuilding our Tourism destination, our work will continue to protect the population, including our visitors.”
The lifting of all restrictions comes after a public call by the St Maarten Hotel and Tourism Association to do just that, arguing that the travel restrictions would limit the potential for St Maarten’s winter tourism season.
St Maarten is the last Dutch Caribbean destination to remove its travel restrictions. Bonaire, St Maarten, Statia, Saba, Curacao and Aruba all previously removed their restrictions earlier this year.
“St. Maarten must remain vigilant and be mindful that before COVID-19, hotels and the island dealt with other transmittable diseases that were harmful to the economy and the people,” Ottley said.