Covid surging in Bonaire

[Lorenzoid]

Best of luck. Problem is that the airline
at the airport is responsible if they allow an “unqualified” passenger board. So they’re not exactly motivated to take a chance.

Are there any repercussions for the airline? Granted, my most recent Bonaire trip was WAY back in August, but when one person in our group landed in Bonaire without a test result, the authorities simply had her take a rapid NAAT test on the spot (at her cost, of course). I doubt Delta Airlines ever heard about it.

Granted, as the rules change so often, the story is ancient history.

 

[uncfnp]

It would take very little effort for Bonaire to fix this dilemma. They can but it in an email so just add it to their site. They can even copy and paste if needed.


“The Abbott ID Now molecular test is an accepted test for entry into Bonaire.”

Part of the problem with a tight turn around on the PCR is delay in transportation to the lab from the testing site. We do PCR tests through LapCorp. No matter what time of day the swab is done it will not go out to the lab until after 8pm. That alone can add up to 12 hours to the processing time.

 

[tursiops]

the authorities simply had her take a rapid NAAT test on the spot

Doubtful. They probably had her take an antigen test.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Doubtful. They probably had her take an antigen test.

Why doubtful? Would they have broken their own rule requiring an NAAT test for entry? (Maybe.) Some airports offer rapid molecular tests. Why not Bonaire? Anyway, neither of us can know, and as I mentioned, any experience from months ago is fairly irrelevant now.

 

[grvland]

I'm trying to rally the Facebook masses to email traveltobonaire@bonairegov.com and ask them to update the posted policy to include NAAT or at least the Abbott Labs IDNow test. If anyone is planning to attempt this route please do the same.

UPDATE:
We're making progress, they've added "NAAT(PCR)" to the infographic.

 

[The Ruttmeister]

So this says that it is a PCR test and NAAT?

Yes, PCR is a subset of NAAT.
What seems to be the problem is that they have set a standard (NAAT) but are not 100% up to date on what options exist under that standard (like the Abbot ID-NOW test).

 

[arubabob1]

Well back in Nov. I e-mailed the Travel Bonaire site and they responded right away. Now I e-mailed them 3 times in the last 3 days for my Jan trip and they won't e-mail back. That really stinks!!!

 

[bcaderunr]

Well back in Nov. I e-mailed the Travel Bonaire site and they responded right away. Now I e-mailed them 3 times in the last 3 days for my Jan trip and they won't e-mail back. That really stinks!!!

I received this today after emailing my query last night before turning in...

Dear Mr. XXXXXX, (Last name deleted for privacy)

Thank you for contacting Public health department Bonaire.

Hereby we would like to confirm that the ID-NOW NAAT test is acceptable to enter Bonaire.
As long that the test is administered at a LAB.

Hope to have inform you accordingly.

Kind regards,



Publieke Gezondheid - GGD | Samenleving en Zorg
Kaya Gilberto F. Betico Croes 24
Kralendijk, Bonaire, Caribisch Nederland
T: (+599) 715 5311
E: traveltobonaire@bonairegov.com

 

[tursiops]

I'm in Bonaire, arrived Dec 23.

• 2 people flew Delta from TUS, overnighted in ATL, flew to BON on Dec 23. Their paperwork (vaccination card, ID NOW negative result, and Bonaire Public Health form) were checked in both TUS and ATL.
• 2 people flew American from DCA-MIA-BON on Dec 23. Their paperwork (vaccination card, ID NOW negative result, and Bonaire Public Health form) were checked only in DCA.
• 4 people flew American from BWI-MIA-BON on Dec 23. Their paperwork (vaccination card, ID NOW negative result, and Bonaire Public Health form) were not checked in BWI or MIA.

In Bonaire:

• All the paperwork was checked, diligently, especially the within-48h NAAT test.
• We were told: "Be sure to schedule and take your Day-5 PCR test." I asked how long was the turn-around; she said 15 minutes. Right.
• There was no mention at the airport of an antigen test within 8h of arrival, to be taken at your resort.
• When we got to the resort, (Buddy Dive) there was no mention of the "required" antigen test.
• I emailed Bonaire Public Health saying WTF with this required antigen test on arrival; they said that it does not start until Dec 27. Right.

The cluster continues. My suggestion would be to avoid United for the time being...no good news from them.

 

[rmorgan]

I'm in Bonaire, arrived Dec 23.

that’s what matters, no? Merry Christmas!