COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Sint Maarten (20 May Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Foreign travellers are allowed to enter. The full list of low-risk countries and entry rules can be accessed here. The countries that are not on the list are considered high-risk countries.

• A travel ban is in place until further notice for persons who have been in a banned country listed here in the past 14 days. Residents of the following countries are exempted: Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saba, and St. Eustatius.

• As of 5 April until further notice, only residents of Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saba and St. Eustatius will be permitted to return from Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire to Sint Maarten.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• Transit through the country is currently permitted for travellers staying in the aircraft or being transferred from one airplane to another through wing-to-wing transfer. Transit passengers from the approved list of countries are allowed to enter the airport.

• Transit passengers will also be required to complete the health declaration procedure and have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before arriving in Sint Maarten.

• Vessels and yachts in transit can enter Sint Maarten for up to 48 hours without pre-test. All travellers onboard must remain in quarantine.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes, with exceptions

• All travellers will go through screening measures upon arrival. Passengers may be asked to have a COVID-19 test on arrival.

• Returning residents without the COVID-19 PCR test certificate may be subject to a COVID-19 test on arrival at their own expense. Travellers under 10 years of age are exempt.

• Residents from Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saba, and St. Eustatius will be tested on arrival if they do not have a valid PCR test result conducted within 72 hours prior to departure.

• Vessels and yachts can enter Sint Maarten without a pre-test for COVID-19. However, a test must be done within 24 hours after arriving. Vessels must remain under quarantine until the test results are available. The appointed yacht agent must coordinate tests.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued in other countries are accepted.

• Tests such as antibody tests and PCR tests performed outside of the 72 hours period will not be accepted. Results from home COVID-19 collection test kits or antigen tests performed outside of the 48 hours period will also not be accepted. Incomplete results, handwritten or email statements from doctors will not be accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Those who have transited or have been in a high-risk country in the last 14 days must follow the requirements below.

• A RT-PCR test for COVID-19 obtained from a nasopharyngeal swab performed within 72 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights) is required for all travellers originating from a country that is categorized as high risk. The 120 hours will remain as an exemption extended to passengers flying in from the USA or Canada.

• Alternatively, travellers originating from the USA and Canada can have an antigen test for COVID-19 obtained from a nasopharyngeal swab performed within 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten. All FDA-approved antigen tests, including those with Emergency Use Authorization only (EUA), are accepted.

• Travellers arriving from low-risk countries are not required to provide the mandatory PCR test certificate. However, travellers who reside in a low-risk country but have visited a high-risk country in the 14 days prior to departing to Sint Maarten must also have an RT-PCR performed within 72 hours prior to departure, or an antigen test for the SARS-COV-2 virus performed 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights).

• Children ten years old or below are exempt from the testing requirements.

• All travellers arriving from Aruba must submit a negative RT-PCR test obtained within 72 hours before departure to Sint Maarten.

• Airline and private flight crews with stopovers in St. Maarten or St. Martin must demonstrate a valid negative RT-PCR or antigen test upon arrival.

• Residents from Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saba, and St. Eustatius will be tested on arrival if they do not have a valid PCR test result conducted within 72 hours prior to departure.

• A certificate for a negative RT-PCR test performed 72 hours before departure and a negative antigen test result 24 hours before departure are mandatory for all travellers originating from Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Alternatively, only a negative RT-PCR test 24 hours before departure will also be accepted.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers arriving from countries other than countries on the approved list may be subject to a 14-day quarantine. The list of approved countries can be found here.

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms will be subject to testing and quarantine for up to two weeks at their expense.

• Airline crew members are subject to quarantine until their next plane, except for those with a negative RT-PCR or antigen test and a completed health authorization procedure.

• If re-tested upon arrival, travellers will be required to self-isolate or self-quarantine at their place of lodging/residence until the test results are known.

• For travellers originating from a high-risk country, 14 consecutive days of self-monitoring of body temperature and possibly flu-like symptoms is mandatory. During the 14 days, travellers in this category will receive an automated daily email alert providing a link for submitting the required information online. If you are remaining for a shorter term on the island, you will have to submit the information for the time you are on the island.

• More details can be found here.

• Based on the above restrictions, the traveller will be required to spend between 0 and 14 days in quarantine.

Insurance required?

• Yes

• The government implemented mandatory COVID-19 insurance for all travellers, except for residents, French nationals, flight crews, and transit passengers. The information and other details can be found here.

Is vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers are required to complete an electronic health authorization form 12 hours before arriving in Sint Maarten. The form can be accessed here. Without health pre-authorization, boarding will not be possible. Children must have the online health form filled out by their parents. This application includes the purchase of the mandatory COVID-19 insurance and a negative COVID-19 test result if required for entry.

• Applicants will receive confirmation of their accepted application. Non-completed applications will be automatically deleted within a day after the provided travel date.

• If the health authorization is pre-approved, travellers will receive a (printable) pre-authorization via e-mail, which must be presented to the health and immigration authorities upon arrival. The original RT-PCR or antigen test result should be presented to the health authorities upon request.

• If health authorization is not pre-approved, you will receive an e-mail informing you that health pre-authorization has been denied.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Commercial flight services are operating.

• Face masks and hand sanitisers are mandatory during travel.

• Only passengers and airport employees are allowed into the airport.

• Private planes require approval before landing.

• If travellers are suffering from flu-like symptoms and/or fever, travel will be denied by the airline.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• The country has reopened its borders to cruises, private vessels, and yachts. However, a registered local agent is required for all vessels. Travellers from countries outside the list of approved countries may be subject to quarantine for 14 days and must have a negative PCR test certificate. More information can be found here.

• Borders between the Dutch side of the island, Sint Maarten, and the island's French side, Saint Martin, are open. Travellers arriving on the Dutch side can visit and stay on the French side.

• There are currently no ferry services permitted to operate between Saint Martin/St Maarten and Anguilla or Saba; however, limited ferry services are available to and from St Barths.

• Funtime Charters resumed services. Voyager Ferry is operating on a temporary schedule.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no curfew in place.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• The physical distance of up to 2 meters must be maintained.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Bus and taxi services have resumed with reduced capacity.

• Marine services, boat rental, rental car service, and freight services are available.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Shops and businesses are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open. Dine-in at restaurants is allowed. Restaurants must close by midnight.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars must close by midnight, whereas casinos may remain open until 02:00 (local time).

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Public services and personal and professional services are open.

Beaches and tourist sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open, and water activities are currently allowed.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Religious activities are allowed.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Contact sports, indoor and outdoor activities, sports facilities, gyms, and religious events are permitted.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• When in public, face masks are required when social distancing is not possible.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers avoid crowded areas and practice social distancing, maintaining a 6-foot distance from other individuals. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.