~ Colombia will not accept unvaccinated persons for treatment.~
PHILIPSBURG:---
Travel requirements scheduled to change as of January 1st, 2022; applicable for persons 18 years and up **
Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Omar Ottley hereby informs the public that, given the rapid worldwide spread of the Omicron variant, Sint Maarten will be implementing various protective measures.
With Omicron fast becoming the dominant variant in numerous countries, the following changes to Sint Maarten's entry protocols will go into effect from Saturday, January 1st, 2022 for all incoming travelers to Sint Maarten.
Unvaccinated persons will require a 48 hour PCR test, while persons who received both doses of an approved COVID vaccine will require a 48 hour PCR test or a 24-hour antigen test. Persons who are 18 years and older and who have taken a booster shot will be able to enter Sint Maarten without a COVID-19 test.
Persons 17 years and younger who are eligible to take a COVID-19 vaccine can enter without a COVID-19 test once they have taken both doses of an approved COVID vaccine.
In the meantime, Colombia has already indicated to St. Maarten that they will not be accepting anyone from St. Maarten that are not vaccinated for critical care. Ottley said that St. Maarten depends on Colombia for critical care, as such persons that might need to travel for trauma or heart-related treatment will not be accepted in Colombia if they are not fully vaccinated. ‘This is no longer about COVID 19, it could be a car crash, heart complications, aneurysms, or anything that requires critical care.
Ottley said persons who already took their booster shot can be assured they will be 85% protected against the Omicron variant thus he urged the residents on St. Maarten to get vaccinated and those that already had the first two shots should now take their booster shot.
The Minister of Public Health said that the Omicron variant has been detected on the French side of the island and that he is sure it is already on the Dutch side even though not yet recorded.
