Antigen Test For Travel – When COVID-19 started spreading in the world Back in January 2021, governments around the world temporarily paused international travel in their respective countries. It was the only logical thing to do to ensure the safety of their citizens.
After the first wave, when coronavirus had already hit every country in the world, international travel again resumed with some protocols and guidelines. Most countries in the world have similar guidelines and regulations.
Even after 2 ½ years, everyone has to follow those guidelines and regulations in some countries, yeah. For example, most Western countries in the world do not allow you to enter their respective country without having two doses of the COVID vaccine and a negative COVID test report.
Both of these things ensure that you are serious when it comes to the spread of COVID-19 and you are not a carrier of the virus. The timing of the test might depend on the country you are going to visit. Some countries require COVID negative tests no older than 24 hours. On the other hand, some countries might accept 72 hours or even longer.
Types of Tests for travel
Even though there are three different types of tests available in the market to detect COVID-19, antigen tests and PCR tests are among the most common types of tests available in the world.
If you are not aware, then you should learn about the accuracy of antigen tests and PCR tests in the section given down below.
Those who already know about the antigen test understand that the antigen test is not as accurate as the PCR to detect. It is fast but less reliable than compared to regular PCR tests, which is a long process but more reliable and accurate.
Most countries around the world accept PCR tests for international travel, while some countries might also accept antigen tests.
The Canadian government has recently changed its view on antigen tests. They have recently changed their rules, and people who are fully wet simulated can enter Canada with a rapid antigen test. People who are not vaccinated still have to get a PCR test which is more expensive and takes a longer time to produce results.
List of countries accepting antigen tests for travel
Before we move ahead, let’s first take a look at some countries which are accepting rapid antigen tests for travel. Not every country in the world accepts an antigen test for travel as it is not an accurate test, and most countries around the world do not want to take any risk when it comes to COVID-19.
- Austria
- Belize
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Germany
- France
- Guatemala
- France
- Finland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Lithuanian
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Paraguay
- Portugal
- Serbia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- UK
- Ukraine
- Canada
As you can see in the above-given list, there are many European countries, including Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Norway, which allow you to enter their country using an antigen test for travel.
On the other hand, Turkey, Jamaica, and Brazil also allow you to enter their respective countries with an antigen test for travel. Canada has also opened their borders, but you should be fully vaccinated to enter Canada using an antigen test for travel.
The timing of your test is going to depend on the country you want to visit. For example, European countries allow their travelers to perform the test within 24 hours from the first embarkation point.
On the other hand, countries like Jamaica, Peru, and the United Kingdom also allow their visitors to take the test even 48 hours to 72 hours before the first embarkation point.
Lastly, the above-given list is not final as countries can change their rules regarding entry anytime they want. Apart from that, some countries might even require you to have both doses of your COVID vaccine before entering their country.
We suggest everyone read the terms and conditions to enter the country very carefully before you even apply for a visa. You can also consider getting vaccinated if you are not fully vaccinated right now. Most countries in the world require you to be fully vaccinated if not up to date.
Where to get an antigen test for travel?
If you are visiting any country which allows you to get an antigen test for travel, then you might be wondering where to get an antigen test for the same.
A few days ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States changed its guidelines regarding COVID testing in the country. As per the new guidelines, everyone who is traveling internationally should pay for their COVID tests.
The CDC is in partnership with a huge number of pharmacies and clinics around the nation, and you can get yourself tested at any of their locations.
CVS pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy is among the best choices to get yourself tested with the antigen test for travel. They are among the biggest pharmaceutical chains active in the United States and provide COVID-related services at most of their locations. You can get yourself tested with an antigen test for travel at just $129.
Walgreens pharmacy
Walgreens is the second biggest pharmaceutical giant in the United States. Even though they are in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide covid services free of cost, you have to pay around $130 to get yourself tested with an antigen test for travel.
Rite Aid pharmacy
The third popular choice in the United States to get yourself tested with an antigen test for travel is righted pharmacy. They have more than 2500 stores on both the east and West Coast of the United States. The pricing is going to be similar to other pharmacies.
In all of the above-given pharmacies, including CVS Walgreens and Rite Aid pharmacy, you have to create an early appointment to get yourself tested for the COVID test. These pharmacies might not provide walking COVID testing facilities at most of their locations.
If you don’t want to waste your time and energy, then we will suggest you go through their official website and create an early appointment before you make any visit. It will help you save your time and energy at the same time.
All about antigen tests.
Before we wrap this session, let’s take a look at the important things you need to know before you go for any antigen test.
As compared to PCR tests, antigen tests are much faster and less expensive. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has given its emergency use authorization for tests made by several different companies in the United States.
Usually, these antigen tests can provide you with results within 15 to 20 minutes. As compared to PCR tests, you don’t have to wait in lines and days to get your results.
These tests are more convenient as compared to PCR tests, as you can take them even at home. You might not have to visit any laboratory if you are ordering these tests at your home. A health care expert might be available to help you take a test if you are using an antigen test for travel.
People who are not going to use their antigen test for travel can buy antigen tests over the counter, which is going to be way more convenient and cheap.
To increase the testing frequency, the federal government of the United States launched this team which they are providing free antigen tests to each household in the United States. Till now, they have delivered around 16 tests to each household in the United States.
Apart from all that, you can even get reimbursements for eight tests each month from your health insurance provider. As per the current laws in the United States, every health insurance provider is liable to provide reimbursements for eight tests to each person in the policy every month.
For example, if a family of four can ask for reimbursements for 32 COVID tests from their health insurance provider? These tests are very cheap, and you can take them more than once a week to ensure your safety, along with the safety of your friends and family.
What is the cost of an antigen test for travel?
The cost of an antigen test for travel is going to depend on the pharmacy you are taking your test with. For example, top pharmacies in the United States, including CVS pharmacy, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, allow you to get tested with an antigen test for travel at their facilities for around $129. Some independent agencies or testing services might even provide you with the test at lower prices, but you should check their authenticity before making any purchase.
