US likely to require 24 hour COVID test soon

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
FYI for all traveling to the US for the holidays, from today's NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/11...lers-to-the-us

" The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to toughen coronavirus testing and screening of international fliers to the United States by requiring them to provide a negative result from a test taken within 24 hours of departure, a spokesman for the agency said Tuesday night. "

Currently the US allows for either a PCR test done within 3 days or a rapid antigen done within 2 days for travelers who are vaccinated.

I am a tad worried that the article uses 24 hours rather than one day. Current US rules use days rather than hours because coordinating test times with flight times can be tricky, especially if a flight is delayed.

It should be stressed that a decision has not yet been made, however. Best to keep an eye on this news, and plan accordingly.

2
Looks like it could start next week .

I will also have to rebook our tests as well, since we're still hoping to fly to the U.S. for Christmas. And I still have to figure out where to get tested for the return, if we don't do it at the airport itself.

3
Same situation here. I have to opt for more expensive version of PCR test with 6 hours result confirmation. I hope that there will be no quarantine rules in US or the way return.

4
I've re-booked my test for the day before I travel. Currently the lab says they can get PCR results the same day - fingers cross that remains with the volume of tests needed. Fortunately the US accepts Rapid Antigen as well. (For now, at least.)

I'm glad to see that the wording 'one day', rather than 24 hours, seems to still be used - because the latest appointment available was 24h45m before my flight. But if the current wording stands, any time on the day before the day you fly is acceptable.

---

I imagine it could end up being something of a scramble to get a test with guaranteed results within 24 hours, given how many people are traveling in the days before Christmas. So it proabably would be wise to book that test now, folks.

Happy holidays, one and all.

5
If it turns out that we need a test to return to CH - currently Travelcheck says not needed for vaccinated residents, but that could change - it would be wise to book that well in advance.

When I was there in Sept I found it hard to get a traveler's test in the Chicago burbs, as there was a shortage of tests at the time. In November it seemed that availability was better, but the hurdle might be finding a place that will guarantee results in the needed time frame. Many places were saying that they could not even guarantee the usual 72 hours. And then there is the question of a certificate.

My brother had a rapid antigen test done in November - the results were simply given orally. He also had a PCR test done, but it took four days to get the results. The results came via a text, no certificate.

Walgreens and CVS require online booking in advance. However, CVS seems to have geo-blocked the site, so one can't register if overseas.

The testing center at Ohare will take advance bookings, guarantees results, and issues something generally acceptable for travel. Given the crush of people waiting to be tested, I am not keen, but it might be the best option.

6
Thanks for the update, will try to find an appointment as soon as I‘ve landed, just to be sure.

Any places you can recommend apart from Ohare? Will be staying in Oak Brook IL.

7
More info rather than recommendation:

There is a group of testing centers, FCTS Free Covid Testing Site. My brother got his tests in November from their Glen Ellyn location - but I see they have one in Oakbrook:

https://freecovidtestingsite.com/locations/

CTS - OAKBROOK

17w416 W 22nd St

OAK BROOK, IL, 60181

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Will you have a car?

Walgreens does drive through testing at many of their locations. You have to book through their central website.

https://www.walgreens.com/topic/prom..._main_11.21.22

There is a Walgreens in Oakbrook, IIRC on 22nd Street. I think you have to go through the registration to find out if they do the tests there.

Same thing with CVS pharmacies, the joke is that there is one on every corner in the US. You have to register though the general site, cvs.com. but it is geo blocked.

There is a walk-in (sort of like a Permanence) clinic in Oakbrook Terrace, not far from Oakbrook:

https://www.dupageimmediatecare.com/...covid-testing/

---

There is a huge community drive in testing center in Villa Park, maybe 15-20 minutes from Oakbrook, at the Odeum Expo. Run by the Dupage County Dept of Health,

https://www.dupagehealth.org/664/COV...um-Expo-Center

This is the kind of place you probably have seen on the news, lines of cars, you do the nasal swab yourself. I don't know how they give results, you would need to ask. Likely not appropriate for travel testing, but who knows.

---

Always check on costs. With the exception of the Villa Park drive through, these sites are commercial companies. Most sites advertise as free, meaning that cost is born by a government program. I have no idea how that works for non-residents without US insurance. Some might still be free, others might charge. Also ask if there is an 'expedited' option to get your results faster for a fee. Back in September i found a place out by Wheaton (about half an hour west of Oakbrook) that offered that. It might have been one of the FCTS locations, must look for my notes.

---

Back in September it seemed doctor's offices were only doing tests for symptomatic patients, and required a consultaton to authorize the test. MOst out my way were not doing tests for travelers. Probably still the same, but worth checking as well. Oakbrook is choc-a-bloc with doctors.

---

I'll ask the family for more recommendations.

---

Good luck - and enjoy your time in Chicagoland.

8
As the CDC says an antigen test is acceptable is there any reason to go for the more expensive PCR test? The testing center near me does not offer a quick turn around option (unless they add it now).

I will change our PCR test appointments (> 48 hours before the flight) to antigen test appointments on the day before the flight.

And the hint about the Walgreens is useful for me as well, even if I won't be in Chicago. There's a Walgreens near my parents, and they can make the appointments. My other problem is getting the test on January 1st. I expect that the labs will still be running.

We're flying back through Germany and it's confusing to me if we have to have a test for transiting. But getting an antigen test is probably not too impossible, as long as we have the appointment.

9
For meeting current CDC requirements, no reason to get PCR over the rapid antigen.

I prefer the PCR simply because it is a more accurate test. I am traveling to help my elderly mother, and want to be as sure as possible that I have minimized any risk I could pose to her. So really it's an individual decision.

But if rapid antigen were my only choice, I'd go with that.

I hear ya on the timing of testing thing. I booked these tickets long long ago, before testing was a thing. I'm just glad I am returning two days after Christmas, not the day after as I had originally planned.

Safe travels, one and all.

10
Looks like it will be difficult for us to travel. We are travelling with two under 16 unvaccinated kids. The recommendation of self quarantine (till yesterday) is now a requirement. Cant see myself and mrs (vaccinated) for putting 2 kids quarantining for 7 days in a room. What kind of holiday will it be...

11
What are you tslking about? The vaccination requirement doesnt apply to kids under 18. There is no mandatory quarantine in the USA. They can't even get sick prople to isolate.

12
Agreed, I have never seen anything stronger than a recommendation on quarantine in the USA, even at the height of the pandemic.

Current CDC info still shows recommended. The US would be crap at enforcing a quarantine anyway simply because it's so easy for people to move around

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...g-covid19.html

Children under 18 are specifically listed as exempt from the vaccine requirement.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...ccination.html

@greenhill if you have other info from a reliable source, please share.

13
My experience with Walgreens last August:

I made an online reservation. Two days later, I drove up to the window ten minutes early. No lines; just a friendly clerk. No one asked about seeing an insurance card.

Book in advance as time slots are taken quickly, depending on the situation and time of year.

14
Anyway, in the US now. Only Swiss wanted to see a test certificate (did Antigen), uploaded this to their website and got my boarding card. Nobody asked for anything afterwards although they mentioned on board to have your certificate available. Border control was amazingly fast and easy. Took a cab and the cab driver asked me if I ever had heard of his home country Bulgaria 😀

Now to find out how to get that stupid test booked...... our travel agency is on it so if I hear more I will post it here.

15
Another possiblity in the Chicago area, on Halsted, which is the west part of the city so not impossible from where you are:

https://covidofchicago.com/appointments/

Same day PCR results, cost $375.

The website does not say in what format the results are given - and I have yet to find out exactly what Switzerland requires in terms of results documents.

If Switzerland would accept texts or emailed results from a center, the norm at most test centers from what I see, the number of possibilities expands.

If they require a certificate with QR code similar to what places here issue, the only place I have found that can do that is one I think I PM'd you with, not far from Ohare:

https://alcdx.com/ohare-desplaines/

---

When I called the COVID hotline the person I spoke with could not answer the question of what format is acceptable. Kind of stuck with that one so far.

---

Will keep looking.

Glad to hear that the trip over was easy. Here's hoping that the trip back is as well.

16
When I flew back in March, I struggled to get any kind of test with a QR code or similar. I asked for a "Fit to Fly" statement to include with the test results so that it wasn't just an email with negative test written on it. That was easy in my case, as the clinic that did the test is affiliated with my GP there. So the GP wrote a statement and signed it.

I found this site via Google. No idea how much it costs for a test and certificate but it might be worth a look. They have locations in the Chicago area.

https://www.passporthealthusa.com/fit-to-fly/

17
Flying out to the US Swiss accepted a plain email stating what test was done. There was no QR code.

18
Thanks 3W.

That would be a good solution... except that the Chicago area offices seem to be closed 24-26 Dec, the dates I would need to test.

My biggest hurdle is that the 72 hour period falls over the holidays.

I booked these tickets originally way back in January 2020, for travel Christmas 2020, before the pandemic. Once lockdown hit, we re-booked for the latest possible date, Christmas 2021. Seemed like the most sensible option at the time, as back when we re-booked testing wasn't a thing. And it was a sensible option... until a couple weeks ago.

Our problem is that since these tickets are already a re-booking the airline will not allow us to change again.

Can't stay longer to make the testing window easier, because of dog care.

Worst case, we just will have to cancel the flight and take the financial hit. Again.

19
I read it under Non-US Citizens section: Kids are under 18 so part of Exception. Confused right now with all the changes !!!!

After Arrival in the United States:

If you are not fully vaccinated and allowed to travel to the United States by air through an exception, you may be required to attest to some or all of the following measures.

REQUIRED

- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after arrival, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

- Stay at home or in your hotel room and self-quarantine for a full 7 days, even if you test negative, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

- Isolate if your test result is positive or you develop COVID-19 symptoms.

- If you intend to stay in the United States for 60 days or longer, you must become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within 60 days of arriving in the United States or as soon as medically appropriate, unless you have a medical contraindication or are too young to be vaccinated.

20
You and everyone else. To be sure I'm not nuts (ha!) I just downloaded the latest attestation form. Gosh the Americans know how to make things wordy and complicated.

For unvaccinated children aged 2-17, the attestation says you'll get a test within 3-5 days of arrival. No mention of quarantine. The form is here. For the kids, you'll fill out Section 1. Also section 2, parts A and D:

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/C...-02-2021-p.pdf

Note that there's no indication of where you should send such test results so I think you're basically making a pinky swear and they assume you'll do it. They don't have the personnel to follow up on every person who enters the country regarding tests.