After months of being shut down due to COVID-19, Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) will finally reopen to international flights accepting passengers from Europe and North America.
Of course, there will be certain restrictions and travel entry requirements, which, at this point should hopefully be common sense to most people. Things like testing, facial coverings, health screenings, increased sanitation, and social distancing will be required of visitors to the island.
Per the Government of Sint Maarten:
Minister of TEATT Ludmila de Weever stated that the Country is ready to receive travelers from Europe and North America as of July 1st, which coincides with our celebration of Emancipation Day. The community is encouraged to continue adhering to the proper social distancing and health and safety protocols as well as the established guidelines for businesses in order to maintain a COVID-19 free Sint Maarten.
Minister de Weever released the ‘Travel Entry Requirements’ to all stakeholders that outline the safety and health protocols, testing requirements and health screening procedures, among others for visitors arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport. Sint Maarten is open to passengers from Saba, Sint Eustatius, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, Anguilla, St. Barthelemy, Martinique, and Guadeloupe. For these countries, passengers should ensure that they have been consecutively present there for 21 days prior to the date of departure. No quarantine will be required upon arrival to Sint Maarten.
As of June 22nd, Sint Maarten will be open to St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands. The 21 day minimum stay will apply to passengers from these islands. No quarantine will be required.
‘The Ministry understands the urgent need for increased economic activity on the island but we intend to re-open in a safe and responsible manner for our residents and visitors,’ said Minister de Weever.
The Ministry of TEATT is committed to keeping the public informed of the developments surrounding the re-opening of our borders. Minister de Weever continues to meet with the relevant stakeholders in the interim.
This is great news, not just for tourists who have been waiting to get back to Sint Maarten, but for local businesses that have been severely impacted due to the pandemic. Of course, with it currently low season on the island and still no news about when cruise traffic will resume, there’s still a long way to go for full economic recovery. This is certainly a positive step for the island and we can’t wait to get back!
