Due to the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC recommends that travelers within or outside the United States are to have taken the COVID-19 vaccine and should show the result of a covid test within one day of travel.
People who are recovering from the infection are required to show proof of recovery by a licensed healthcare provider. Now, travelers essentially must have the same day covid-19 test done to navigate the troubles of travel restrictions.
What Tests Are Available For COVID-19 Testing?
Covid-19 tests can either detect the part of the covid virus itself or test for antibodies which are substances produced by the body in response to a COVID-19 infection. The various options for COVID-19 testing include:
Viral Tests
These are tests that detect a part of the virus itself. It includes a rapid test and a laboratory Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) test. The rapid covid test can either be done fairly quickly at a medical laboratory or by oneself to have a same-day covid test result. They are easy to use and accepted for covid travel.
The PCR test is the most reliable test for COVID-19 travel. Test results can be gotten on the same day. This test uses a laboratory procedure that multiplies parts of the covid-19 virus in a process called amplification. PCR test for traveling quickly detects early infection and would be a useful test even when symptoms are absent.
Antibody Tests
The Antibody tests detect proteins that the body itself makes after a COVID-19 infection or after vaccination. It is not a test for current infection and may only point to a past infection.
The accepted test for travels within and outside the United States are the viral tests.
What Are The Advantages And Drawbacks Of The Various COVID-19 Tests?
The Rapid antigen test is simple and easy to use. They can be done and interpreted at home. The test takes about 15 minutes. The Rapid test is relatively inexpensive and costs about $10-15. This test is not very sensitive and can miss an early infection.
The PCR test is the test of choice for COVID-19 testing as it is capable of detecting early infection. However, it requires the expertise of a skilled technician and the availability of the machine. Also, it can take an average of 24 hours to get a result. They are relatively expensive and can cost up to $100 or more.
Who Are Those Exempted From The Travel Requirements?
The only exemptions granted are to children under 18 years of age, people who are medically unable to receive the vaccine, and emergency travelers who can’t access the vaccine.
Exemptions are granted on the humanitarian basis by the CDC for individuals that might require emergency healthcare within the United States and are unable to meet the travel requirements for Covid-19 travel. They are to inform the United State embassy in their country who would request an exemption for them from the CDC.
When Are You Not Required To Travel Due To COVID-19?
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Also, individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are not to travel until after 10 days from the onset of symptoms or from when the positive covid result was gotten.
Individuals who have had contact with a person with a COVID-19 patient are required to quarantine during which they have to undergo a covid test. It’s critical to know how to distinguish a cold from COVID-19 and take a rapid COVID-test if you pln to travel.
How Can We Help?
At St Andrews Medical Center, we offer all the accepted methods of COVID-19 testing for travel. We have qualified personnel and required equipment to carry out the rapid test and the PCR test. The results of the rapid test are available within 5 minutes while the PCR test results are available under 24 hours.
Our service includes a walk-in option and a Concierge service at any location in Los Angeles.
