PHILIPSBURG—The travel and health information site of St. Maarten, Stmaartenehas.com up to Saturday at 6:00pm had not been updated since Wednesday, when Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs announced that pre-health authorisation will not be changed on the earlier set date of October 15 but rather as of November 1.
Stmaartenehas.com states that as of Saturday, October 15 unvaccinated residents for COVID-19 are no longer required to be tested prior to arrival and travel insurance is now optional for visitors. This information is listed under “Travel Requirements”.
No mention is made of November 1, 2022.
The postponement was announced during Wednesday’ Council of Ministers press briefing. Prime Minister Jacobs said she had received information from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA.
“I did get an update. As of November 1, all measures such as testing, and vaccination info will no longer be required. So, it is as of November 1,” said Jacobs, adding that thereafter the Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) will only be used for data purposes.
During the next two weeks visitors would still need the proof of vaccination or testing to be able to board a plane to Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA). However, the announcement under travel requirements states otherwise.
St. Maarten is the only territory in the Kingdom of the Netherlands where coronavirus-related travel restrictions remain in place. The Government of St. Maarten allocated US $1,6 million from its budget towards EHAS in “disaster relief”.
