What COVID-19 tests are required for international travel?
It depends on where you go.
In an effort to limit the spread of new variants of coronavirus, many countries require arriving travelers to present a recent negative test.
The United States, for example, will accept results either from a test that detects the genetic material of the virus – considered the most sensitive type of test – or from a rapid test that looks for viral proteins called antigens. The tests must have been performed no more than three days before leaving for the United States
Healthcare professionals usually do more sensitive laboratory tests with a nasal swab that takes a day or more to get results. Rapid tests have a response time of about 15 to 30 minutes and are increasingly used to examine people at test sites, offices, schools and nursing homes. For some quick tests, users can buffer at home.
With any of the tests, the US requires electronic or printed proof of a negative result from a medical laboratory. This means that even if you intend to get the test faster, you will probably need to consult a healthcare provider who can provide documentation.
England has a similar configuration, accepting the results of both types of tests. But health authorities impose additional requirements, including that tests meet certain accuracy thresholds. Passengers are asked to check to ensure that their test meets the standards.
After the countries set various requirements, European Union officials agreed to standardize the requirements of the bloc of 27 nations.
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The AP answers the questions about coronavirus in this series. Send them to: [email protected].
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