This could be very bad for foreign students if they are unable to return. This one-day test rule is also difficult as my understanding most labs don’t guarantee the result in one day. My son will be back in Canada for Christmas but I am worried about returning to the USA, especially if the 7-day quarantine rule is implemented. Nowhere to stay.
It appears many of the tests, including some pcr tests, do not detect the latest omicron variant
Doesn’t sound like that’s going to happen but if it does I hope the schools will provide quarantine housing for those kids affected.
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You can use lateral flow tests so long as they issue a certificate. That is doable in 15-30 mins, unlike PCR which is typically analyzed offsite. We have just booked tests in the UK where you literally take a photo of your lateral flow test result and submit online to get the certificate (not observed live like some of the US tests, for example the Ellume/Azova test we used last time). And it’s less than half the price, 15 pounds ($20) instead of $50.
Generally outbound tests can be harder to find than inbound tests because other countries are geared up to issue the certificates. But outbound test requirements are dictated by your destination, not by the US. Hopefully the wider availability of LFTs and insurance coverage may encourage more places to offer test certificates.
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What do you mean, they won’t show positive for covid or won’t identify the variant? I don’t think any covid test ever identified variants. The sequencing process does.
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See also:
Follow-up to this: France is changing next week to also need a pre-departure test (I guess 48hr for LFT and 72hr for PCR judging by their unvaccinated requirements). Apart from that it’s all simple. I did need to get the pass to check in at one hotel and was asked for it at restaurants.
UK PCR entry testing was easy. Arrived early morning to a busy Heathrow, got train into London, walked to test center for 9.30am, walked to hotel to check in and went to bed. Had test result is my email at 4pm and then free to go out for dinner. But the provider doesn’t advertise widely so doesn’t seem to be as swamped as the bigger companies.
FYI - for those in a bind, the testing facilities at Heathrow are slightly more expensive but work quite well. My husband’s PCR test was lost by Boots, but he was able to get tested at Heathrow and got results from a rapid antigen test in 30 minutes, complete with a fit to fly pass. $45 charge on my CC.
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New travel requirements as of Monday:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/02/politics/testing-requirement-international-travel-us/index.html
I assume these tests will be antigen not PCR, so is there a problem with false negatives?
Yes, there is. But the benefits of more timely results and more frequent testing may outweigh the disadvantage of more false negatives.
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I have been on a whirlwind of travel the last two months and I have a feeling it is winding down for a while. I have more trips planned in Feb, and hope that omicron doesnt set us back and in person events get cancelled.
It will be interesting to see if there is any fallout from the the huge 25K conference I just attended in Vegas. You had to be masked at all times except in the eating /drinking areas. It was not easy to make contact from the booth and it was hard to recognize people with masks, but I am grateful for the opportunity.
The facinating thing is that there were tons of people in Vegas that had nothing to do with thew conference (Tourists). This a week after thanksgiving. Also for anyone considering Las Vegas, masks are Required at all times in all casinos and hotels.
As far as travel outside the US, grateful for my trip to Costa Rica in Oct. I took my Covid test friday morning and was traveling back on Sat. (got results friday afternoon). The question with the new restrictions is if it is a hard 24 hours or just the day before.
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As noted above US now has 1 day in advance testing instead of 3 days. UK is changing rules again to also require 2 day in advance test (can be LFT) in addition to the post-arrival PCR test.
It’s a full time job just to keep up with all of this - I’ve been changing test dates all week and buying new tests for our Christmas vacation in the UK. Total cost per person now $25 for pre-departure test, $120 for post arrival test and another $20 for pre-return test, though I’m told there is now a quick PCR facility near Heathrow that’s only $80 per person. No wonder demand for international travel is cratering right now.
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Tentatively very excited for my parents. They used to travel many weeks/months of the year, but have been hermits since covid. They are now in St Martin awaiting their cruise tomorrow. It’s a 200 person sailboat with 200 crew members. All must be vaccinated, all must have a negative test within 3 days and then I think they also do a rapid test before getting on the boat. Assuming they do get on, they will sail around the carribean for 2 weeks stopping at small islands. It’s something my dad has always wanted to do. My mom, not as much, but at this point who knows how much longer they have.
American cancelled the direct route to St Martin twice this week. My mom said if they did that to them, they wouldn’t go. She refuses to lay over in Miami. But they didn’t, so yay. Crossing fingers everything goes well.
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Aren’t cruises pretty high risk? Meals indoors with lots of people. Other indoor spaces. [I’ve never been on a cruise].
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They are high risk non covid. 
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Tell your dad if he has any other amazing journeys he wants to go on that your mom wants to opt out of to give me a call 
this trip you’ve described is my fantasy!
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I think the small number of people plus everyone vaccinated and double tested, plus they won’t dock at any large ports made them feel more comfortable. Most of their activities will be outside. And they are fully vax’d and boosted.
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I got off a cruise recently. There were no known covid cases. Indoors in certain areas masks were always required. I felt safer on the cruise than going through my maskless walmart.
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I am deliberating about holiday plans for a kid to fly across the country before Christmas, then we both fly to her home, then I return here. This kid has an important event on 1/12 and I fear that even exposure could prevent them from attending. It is hard waiting on more information!