Anyone know how you get into the USA now?

[littleowls83]

Anyone been to the USA in the last few weeks and can explain what you did to get tested for travel? We are planning a trip on a Monday but no clinics are open for testing on a Sunday.

Official US government sites don't clearly define what the window for testing is and the US embassy site clearly hasn't been updated since change of rules in December so its all pretty unclear. Trying to weight up whether this is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity or a very expensive mistake.

Postal LFT - express delivery for Saturday arrival. Take test Sunday. Upload result Sunday, c19testing.co.uk. All non US citizens need to be double vacced

its the day before so you need to get a test at some point on sunday or monday morning
i was there last week, left uk on the wed so got the test on the tuesday

theres paid for test sites at most airports which should be open on sundays

As I understand it, you have to be tested no further back than the day before you fly, but it can either be an antigen or a PCR test. The CDC website is relatively helpful here (I'm sure you've looked). www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
Some chemists will do same day results tests (usually antigen, check with the tester that it is a fit to fly to USA) though we have got a same day PCR test for USA. There are also test sites at a lot of the major airports which will give you same day results - I've used ExpressTest drive through the day before, but there are a few of them and they can be within the airport, though beware, queues can be utterly horrendous so you don't want to leave it till two hours before check-in.
Feel free to PM me with specific questions and I'll tell you what I can.

My DS went two weeks ago. No test needed but he needed to show he was double vaccinated

We're going next month. My understanding is that you need a witnessed antigen test the calendar day before you fly.
There are several private companies local to me that will do it every day of the week. If you don't have this you can send away for a kit and you can book a virtual appointment for someone to watch you do it via your phone. You also need to complete an attestation form saying you're vaccinated etc.

I was there last week.

Pre-flight antigen test (I used eurofins) taken/ uploaded/validated the day before travel. I obtained mine by post as we live in the sticks.

If you are a British citizen you must be double vaccinated and have evidence of your vaccination status in the form of the NHS vaccination passport (there may be exemptions, not sure as not relevant to me so didn't check).

I printed off copies as well as had everything on my phone, just in case.

Be aware that in order to travel back to the UK you have to have a completed passenger locator form, which requires you to enter the order number for your test to be taken within two days of return. The form is checked prior to travel.

I have just seen the post above. No, the antigen test doesn't have to be witnessed. I sat at home alone and did mine. The company I used had an app which you use to scan your test code, then, within 30 minutes, you upload a photo of the test on a form they provide with your name on it. Within minutes they validate it and send confirmation of negative result.

If you can get this delivered in a day- ours only took a day to arrive!

It costs £12.50, and is quick and easy to do.
www.confirmtesting.com/products/rapid-antigen-test-fit-to-fly-at-home

@willowstar

I have just seen the post above. No, the antigen test doesn't have to be witnessed. I sat at home alone and did mine. The company I used had an app which you use to scan your test code, then, within 30 minutes, you upload a photo of the test on a form they provide with your name on it. Within minutes they validate it and send confirmation of negative result.

Which company did you use? Thanks

This is not correct

Sorry that was to rhe one that said no test was required.

Moat airports have onside same day tests . I went to the US from Heathrow in November. However I live closer to Stansted so went to their drive through test facilities for my antigen (with Collinson). Result was with me before I got home!

ExpressTest are doing tests on a Sunday at Birmingham airport, we got them two weeks ago there then flew from Heathrow the next day, Heathrow has a testing centre too that should be an open on Sundays. It was a bit stressful in the run up but it was actually very staight forward in the end, no issues with checking in or anything like that and no extra checks at the US airport when we arrived.

The CDC website states that it does need to be a supervised test, although you can do it at home via zoom etc so I am a bit confused by some of the answers above.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html#anchor_1635127081

We travel in a couple of weeks and have booked a supervised video call via breathe assured - they send the tests to your house and then you book a time slot to do them in.

Be aware that in order to travel back to the UK you have to have a completed passenger locator form, which requires you to enter the order number for your test to be taken within two days of return. The form is checked prior to travel

After the 11th February you'll no longer need to test as long as you're fully vaccinated. You'll still need to complete a passenger locator form.

Were going at Easter so not really thinking about it just yet, but I read the info on the CDC website and wondered when to count the "day before" from - is it departure, arrival? It's a 9 hour flight so quite a difference...

I just want to say that in real life you do not need a supervised test to fly to the US, just a confirmation. My husband flew yesterday (Confirm testing test at home for £12.50). In the last 2 weeks, 3 other family members have flown with the same test and no-one has had any problem at all.

@FlowerArranger

I used Eurofins

@ChimChimeny

It has to be within 24 hours of your departure from the UK

[quote willowstar]@FlowerArranger

I used Eurofins[/quote]
Thanks!!

I am under impression day before = calendar day before, so a negative test from 9am Monday would let you fly 7pm Tuesday.

We took our test about 25 hours before.

I'm going next week. Test booked with DocHQ. They have posted the test to me and I have a video appointment to take it while they supervise on Friday. They offer appointments 7 days a week.

@PurrBox

I just want to say that in real life you do not need a supervised test to fly to the US, just a confirmation. My husband flew yesterday (Confirm testing test at home for £12.50). In the last 2 weeks, 3 other family members have flown with the same test and no-one has had any problem at all.

May ask which actual test package your husband used?

The one I am seeing on the Confirmtesting site only uses a photo for verification, whereas the CDC website states it has to be 'real time supervision via audio and video'. Also, Confirmtesting only refer to it being valid for the EU.

I went a few weeks ago.

Supervised lateral flow test the day before travel - I used Prenetics. They post them, you do a video call to test, upload your results and they issue a certificate. CDC website 100% says this has to be supervised (telehealth) so I really wouldn’t take the advice this isn’t needed. Some people maybe haven’t been checked thoroughly at check in, but don’t take the chance.

To come home we had to our our reference for a day 2 test, but I understand that is changing soon. We ordered these before we went, they didn’t need to be supervised.

You have to be double vaccinated.

[quote willowstar]@ChimChimeny

It has to be within 24 hours of your departure from the UK[/quote]
Thank you