Ensure that you are not delayed on your travels during your upcoming vacation or business trip by learning how to get tested for COVID-19 in transit.
How to Get a test in a country you are travelling through
Travel has changed significantly over the past year and a half as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many people avoided traveling for significant portions of 2020, but worldwide travel is now close to pre-2020 levels.
Even though the rate of people booking flights may be close to normal, the process of traveling is dramatically different.
One of the issues travelers experience is presenting a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive at a destination.
Below are some tips on COVID testing for travelers visiting different parts of the United States or other countries.
COVID-19 and Domestic Travel
One of the advantages of booking domestic travel is that you do not have to go through the coronavirus testing process. Even though the Centers for Disease Control recommends that people obtain a negative COVID-19 test before they travel domestically, especially if they are unvaccinated, there are no such requirements.
Airlines do not check a passenger’s vaccination status or whether they recently tested negative for the virus when they are boarding or getting off a domestic flight. If you are planning a business trip or vacation within the United States, you do not need to worry about COVID-19 testing.
Traveling Abroad and COVID-19 Testing
If you are planning a trip outside the United States, either for business or pleasure, you must inform yourself about that country’s travel regulations pertaining to COVID-19.
Even if the place where you are visiting does not require a visa for American passport holders, you may face additional restrictions due to the pandemic. Europe is a popular destination for Americans, which is why its regulations are important to learn.
The EU presently allows for travel between its member nations and the USA. However, anyone traveling from the States to Europe may face significant restrictions if they are not vaccinated.
There are presently four countries in Europe where Americans cannot travel, including Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, and Belgium. An additional 13 countries in Europe allow American travelers, but only if they can show proof of vaccination.
Americans without a vaccine cannot travel to countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, and Denmark. If they are hoping to visit those nations, they must get fully vaccinated as soon as possible, as a negative COVID-19 test is insufficient to enter.
There are 11 European countries where an unvaccinated American can travel for non-essential reasons, but they must adhere to a specific quarantine on arrival.
The rules in other parts of the world vary, with many nations still requiring quarantine on arrival for anywhere from seven to 14 days.
Returning to the United States
Any traveler entering the United States must submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test or show documentation proving recovery from the virus. Such proof is necessary within three days of the date of departure of your flight.
Not only is the rule applicable for tourists or business travelers who are visiting the country, but returning American citizens as well. Anyone who does not submit the relevant test or recovery proof will not get onto a plane for their return flight to the USA.
People assume that because they are not sick or showing any other symptoms of COVID-19, they are not putting anyone else at risk while traveling. The issue is that COVID-19 spreads even when a person is yet to show symptoms, so testing travelers is vital.
The protocol is no different for vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals. Those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine may believe they are exempt from testing, but that is not the case.
COVID-19 Testing in Transit
One of the issues travelers face when they hope to return to the United States is proving they are not COVID-19 positive. If you are on your travels in Europe or another part of the world, you may not be sure where you can obtain a negative COVID-19 test three days before your date of departure.
Luckily, airlines and governments are working hard to make such information available to people. If you are traveling in major cities around the world, you can check the United States embassy website for the relevant country for information on where you can get tested for COVID-19.
The embassy websites often state the different test types, where you can get those tests, how much they cost, and how quickly you can get the results before your flight.
Another way to get access to that information would be to check with your airline. If you are returning to the United States on an American-based airline such as Delta, American Airlines, or Virgin, you can visit their website and get information on COVID-19 testing.
Most airlines are partnering with other organizations to ensure their passengers can easily access low-cost tests around the world. Ensure you are checking for such information early during your trip, as you do not want to frantically search for a place to get a COVID-19 test a day before your flight is scheduled to depart for the USA.
COVID-19 Tests Explained
There are three main types of COVID-19 tests available for widespread use. The PCR tests, which are sent to a lab for diagnosis, are seen as the most accurate by a vast majority of experts.
If you plan to get tested for COVID-19 for travel, you must obtain a PCR test, as most airlines and countries require a negative PCR test before boarding a plane.
People can also take LFT COVID-19 tests, as these provide instant results. The problem is that LFT tests are not as accurate, which is why many airlines do not accept them as proof of a negative test.
The final type of COVID-19 test is an antibody test, which assesses whether a person has immunity from the virus. Such a test is not helpful for traveling, as it can only prove that a person is either vaccinated or contracted COVID-19.
Stay Safe While Traveling
As you book your upcoming winter vacation or schedule a business trip in another country, you should take the necessary precautions to travel safely.
Many countries are now offering travel incentives to vaccinated individuals, such as avoidance of quarantines and other perks.
A combination of vaccination, testing before and after traveling, and quarantining if you show any symptoms of the virus can ensure that you are staying safe on your travels, keeping your loved ones safe, and abiding by the regulations of different countries during this time.