As of January 26, there will be a new restriction travel to the United States during medical emergency: submit one negative test for Covid-19 to the airline before boarding the flight.
However, following this rule may cause some errors. Here we list them so that you are careful and no problems arise during your trip.
1. Do the wrong test
Remember there are several Covid-19 tests they can tell you if you have or have had the disease.
According to Nirma Bustamante, director of the Mexico Office of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should take a test that can detect whether or not you have an active infection. For example the PCR test or the antigen test.
They DO NOT accept a serological test.
Check out the evidence at the end of this note.
The United States Embassy in Mexico has one list of laboratories where you can take the test; They are not the only ones, they are just examples. Here we show you the laboratories that are located in CDMX and the state of Mexico.
CDMX
– ABC Medical Center (Observatory Campus): PCR and antigens.
-ChektAhora: PCR and antigens.
-Pharmacies of Savings: Antigens.
-Hospital Ángeles: PCR and antigens.
Hospital Español: PCR and antigens.
-Hospital San Ángel Inn Universidad: PCR and antigens.
-Jenner Clinical Laboratory: PCR and Antigens.
-Laboratorio San Ángel: PCR and antigens.
-Laboratorios Azteca: PCR and antigens.
-Olab laboratories: PCR and antigens.
-Médica Sur: PCR and antigens.
-Olarte and Akle: PCR and antigens.
-Orthin Lab: Antígenos.
—Quest Laboratories: PCR and Antigens.
-Dignified health: PCR and antigens.
Mexico state
-Chopo: PCR and antigens.
-Hospital Satélite: PCR and antigens.
Photo: iStock
2. Let yourself be tested out of time
Three days is the maximum date that you can use the Covid-19 test that you are going to present to your airline. If you do this before that deadline, you will not be accepted to board.
It is important that when making your appointment with the laboratory of your choice, you ask if your test will be on time for travel. Due to logistics and demand issues, it may take longer at some labs.
If your flight is delayed and for that reason the time of 72 hours prior to travel is exceeded, you will need to retest.
3. Travel with children and do not test them
All passengers over two years old must have one Covid-19 test for the airline to review.
… Read more Costs and Requirements to Process the U.S. Visa in 2021
4. Don’t testify to your evidence
In addition to presenting the results of the Covid-19 test, You must sign a document attesting to this and present it to the airline. The same company will provide you with the document, but if you want it from earlier, you can find it here.
Parents can give testimony for the minors they are traveling with.
Do you have to quarantine when you arrive in the United States?
On January 21, President Joe Biden signed an order to make quarantine on arrival a requirement for all international travelers. The exact terms in which this rule should be followed have not yet been disclosed.
The CDC recommends quarantining seven days after arrival.
… Read more The United States requires quarantine of all international travelers
Covid-19 test types
As explained by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), two different types of tests are used: diagnostic and antibody.
A) Diagnostic tests. They can show if the person has an active coronavirus infection and if it should be quarantined to avoid infection.
Diagnostic tests are divided into two subtypes: molecular (including PCR) and antigen (you can find them in laboratories).
In a diagnostic test, the sample is taken with a nasopharyngeal swab.
A molecular test (or PCR) can take less than a day or up to a week if demand in a lab is very high. The antigen test usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
B) Antibody or serological test. As the name clearly states, it looks for antibodies produced by your immune system in response to a threat you have already faced. It may take days or weeks for antibodies to develop after you have an infection, and may remain in your blood for several weeks after recovery.
An antibody test will not tell you if you are currently infected.
The sample is taken by finger prick to obtain blood.
Serological tests can be delivered the same day, or up to three.