scuba127
Contributor
Just emailed the Bonaire Health Department on the Antigen test requirement. They are telling me the only option is to do the antigen test at the Bonaire airport upon arrival.
Covid surging in Bonaire
- Thread starter tursiops
- Start date
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OP
OP
Now I'm getting an even more confusing reply from the Public Health Dept!
They now say the requirement to get the antigen test at the airport when you arrive is ONLY for passengers from the US; those from other countries can get the antigen test up to 24h before departure for Bonaire!
I asked where this was written down, and they said on BonaireCrisis website. I'm now waiting for them to tell me where on the website, because I'm pretty sure that is not there.
I also asked when the rules changed, since they said one thing on June 6 (you can get the antigen test up to 24h before, or at the airport) and now on June 12 they are saying only at the airport.
I think there is great confusion there on what the rules actually are, and that the people updating the BonaireCrisis site are not the people at the Public Health Dept.
The problem is we travelers get caught in the middle, not knowing really what to do.
If you want to have the lowest risk possible, you should probably get a PCR test up to 72h before arrival in Bonaire, plus get an antigen test at the airport after arrival. This might cost you more, but it is probably the least risky way to enter the country.
I'll also report back if I get an answer to my recent questions to Public Health.
OP
I got another response, which is not helpful:
If you are departing from the U.S. and choose to the PCR-TEST within 72 hours of your departure in Bonaire, you will have to do the antigen-test upon your arrival in Bonaire.
They ignored my questions about where is this info on the BonaireCrisis website.insomniac
Contributor
It's right here in a nice easy to read infographic:
Travel - Crisiswebsite van het Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire
And tourism bonaire has another infographic:
https://www.tourismbonaire.com/includes/images/travel-requirements-merged.jpg
OP
That infographic, dated June 1, does NOT correspond to the latest info from Public Health, or on BonaireCrisis.com.
insomniac
Contributor
What is different? Either you get the difficult/expensive NAAT/PCR test 24 hours prior to departure, or you get that 72 hours prior to arrival + the $50 antigen test at the airport on arrival. Getting the antigen test prior to departure has never been a thing, it's just an extra precaution that you are required to take if it's been more than 24 hours and less than 72 since your required NAAT/PCR test. And if you don't have a NAAT/PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival or less you can't enter no matter what.
As for the June 1st date, they are not going to update the information every day... If something has changed in the past 12 days I doubt most travelers would be aware and they won't be turning plane loads of people around.
And as for your email to them, I doubt that would trump the information they have published online. I think it's more likely the person responding to the email didn't know the difference between the antigen and NAAT/PCR test types.
OP
A major difference is the Public Health statement that those from the US must get their antigen test in Bonaire, whereas other countries can take the test within 24h of departure.
Incorrect. You can enter with only a NAAT test taken within 24h of departure, which it says on your infographic.
The issue is NOT about my email trumping their online information. The issue is whether THEIR emails trump the information published online.
insomniac
Contributor
It's NAAT (PCR) test within 24 hours before departing OR NAAT*(PCR) test within 72 hours before arrival + antigen test at arrival. I didn't specify properly in my original post the differences in time regarding departure/arrival. But clearly you can take the test 72 hours prior to arrival + the antigen test. It's my understanding that if you don't have a negative antigen test within 72 hours of arrival you won't be let in the country no matter what *and I'de honestly doubt that the airline would even let you board the plane (or at least warn you a few time prior to boarding like they did when I went to Hawaii early this year)
OP
Perhaps you are misinterpreting this:
(A) You can get in with ONLY a NAAT test within 24h of departing. Period. No more tests needed.
OR
(B) You need two tests: one is a NAAT test within 72h of arrival, plus an antigen test at arrival.
Several people have reported on the Bonaire Covid FB page that they have done (A) without any issues. One test only. No antigen anywhere.
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