COVID-19 Testing For Travel

The legal requirement for a Covid-19 test before travel depends on your destination. Coming back to the US from overseas, you need a negative PCR test for travel (within three days before arrival) or evidence that you have recently (past three months) recovered from Covid-19. Regardless of legal requirements, it makes sense to have a negative PCR travel test before traveling because then you reduce the risk of dealing with being ill with Covid-19 away from your home base.

Anyone boarding a plane to the US must have a negative PCR covid test for travel. Most airlines for domestic and international flights will require a negative PCR travel test to reassure them that you are fit to travel and present minimal risk to staff and other passengers. Before flying, you need to check the Covid-19 travel testing requirement for your destination and the airline. Even if you don’t need a test before flying, it is a sensible pre-flight precaution.

If you are traveling within your state, leaving for under 24 hours, visiting for under 24 hours, or commuting for essential work, then you probably don’t need a PCR covid test for travel.  All States can impose restrictions to protect their people, before traveling to another state, you need to check the regulations because these will change if there is a surge or a decrease in the level of infection rate in your home State or your destination State.

There are two sets of rules about testing – your home rules and your destination country. The general advice is don’t travel unless it is essential. Some countries have closed their borders, and other relatively high-risk countries are welcoming tourists. Most countries allowing visitors have a rigid testing policy of a pre-arrival negative PCR travel test, tests at the airport, and quarantine arrangements. The precise testing and quarantine arrangements vary, and you need to check the most recent regulations posted by your destination country. You need a negative PCR travel test to come home, so it is wise to prebook testing for the return trip as part of your holiday arrangements.

The CDC conditional framework for allowing cruise ship operators to start offering holidays involves extensive testing before your trip and onboard. Currently, there is a recommendation to avoid cruise ships because it involves close contact and a lack of social distancing. If you plan a cruise, you need to find out what the cruise operator’s testing regime will be for your trip. You may opt to have a PCR travel test before and after your trip as your risk management process.

Camping covers a range from youth summer camps, wilderness backpacking, and family holidays under canvas. An organized summer camp will have a PCR travel testing protocol for before, during, and after the camp. You need to check with the organizers for the precise requirements.

Backpacking or a family holiday will need you to follow the rules of your destination State or Country.  It will also depend on the campsite rules, but physical distancing and ventilation are generally straightforward when camping.

If you are camping with a group of friends and relatives, it is helpful for everyone’s peace of mind if everyone has a negative PCR covid test for travel before the trip.

The RT-PCR test is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs), which is the preferred viral test for FDA, CDC, and EAU for travel.

Although vaccination minimizes the risk of you catching and spreading Covid-19, it does not eliminate it. Anyone can catch and spread this virus. Many people show no symptoms of having the disease and can unknowingly spread the virus.

An RT-PCR test before you travel reassures the transport provider and the other people you encounter that you are not a risk for spreading the disease. The test before traveling benefits you and your family because you are traveling with people free from Covid-19, and you minimize the risk of becoming ill away from home during this pandemic.

Most airlines require a negative Covid-19 test within 1-3 days of travel. To protect yourself and others from infection, maintain sensible precautions before and after your negative test result. Check with your airline to see their Covid-19 policy before booking any appointments.

To receive same day results, tests must be administered by 1pm. Otherwise, you will receive your results the following day. In the rare instance that your sample needs to be retested a lab technician will be in contact with you.