Back in December I wrote about planning a long-awaited trip to Aruba. Entry requirements due to COVID changed a few times since then, but now things have gotten easier.

In order to enter Aruba, we must show one of the following:
• Proof of vaccines and booster shots
or
• Proof of recovery from COVID (within the last 10 days–12 weeks) from a doctor
or
• Negative results from a PCR test three days before entry, or negative Antigen test one day prior to entry.

Even though all members of our party received our vaccines and boosters, we did not have the documentation we needed. Aruba currently requires proof of vaccination and booster not just with a paper card, but in the form of a verifiable SMART Health Card QR code. And as I learned, not all QR codes are created equal.

Unfortunately, North Carolina is not one of the states participating in the SMART Health Card system. Since our vaccines were administered at a small local pharmacy, they were not available in the required QR code form. However, the booster shots we received at Walmart (or any of the other participating national major pharmacies) were automatically entered. With some research, I was able to find a workaround to get the first vaccines into the system. In addition to state databases, there is a list of 509 participating organizations. Our local doctors are affiliated with one of the participating organizations, so all we had to do was have our vaccine info uploaded into MyChart, a system used by doctors to store and share medical records. Once the vaccines are in MyChart, it is easy to generate the Smart Health Card QR code. I was able to use the VeriFLY app to upload the codes, and we are all cleared for travel.

In order to return to the United States, we are required to present a negative COVID antigen test one day prior to our return. We could wait in line at one of the testing sites on our last day in Aruba, or we can do an at-home test with live testing support with a certified guide. I purchased the online tests since my health insurance covers the cost, and from what I’ve heard, it’s quick and easy. Hopefully we will all test negative and be able to return without any problems. But if any of us test positive, I have travel insurance to cover the cost of an unexpected extended stay in paradise. Aruba, here we come!

Happy travels!

— Tracey Cullen, art director