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February 15, 2021
Which COVID-19 tests are required for
international travel?
By Matthew Perrone
The Associated Press
www.asianreporter.com
February 15, 2021
Which COVID-19 tests are required for international travel?
It depends on where you’re going.
In an effort to limit the spread of new coronavirus variants,
many countries are requiring incoming travellers to show a
recent negative test.
The U.S., for example, will accept results from either a test
that detects the genetic material of the virus — considered the
most sensitive type of test — or a rapid test that looks for
viral proteins called antigens. The tests must have been taken
no more than three days before departing for the U.S.
Health professionals usually give more sensitive lab tests
via a nasal swab that take a day or more to yield results. Rapid
tests have a turnaround time of about 15 to 30 minutes and are
increasingly used to screen people at testing sites, offices,
schools, and nursing homes. For some rapid tests, users can swab
themselves at home.
With either test, the U.S. requires electronic or printed
proof of the negative result from a medical laboratory. That
means that even if you plan to get the faster test you’ll likely
need to see a healthcare provider who can provide documentation.
England has a similar setup, accepting results from both
types of tests. But health authorities there are imposing extra
requirements, including that the tests meet certain thresholds
for accuracy. Travellers are told to check to make sure their
test meets the standards.
After countries instituted varying requirements, officials in
the European Union agreed to standardize requirements across the
27-nation bloc.
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