Flight to USA early Jan, arrrggghhhhhh!!!

[chokkychick]

I've got a flight to USA in early Jan. Not seen my daughter for almost 2 years. I did have a flight to see her in early December but husband gave me covid, grrr.... so couldn't go.

I'm pulling my hair out trying to understand exactly what I need to do... to be able to fly to the US. Heeeelllppppppppp..... mumsnet!!!

I've read the CDC site, BA site... and.. it's just not clear. Twitter is scaring the bleep out of me.... because when I do a search on each of the private testing companies names (with ref to travel to USA).... there is just....horror story after horror story..... where results have been late... or haven't come through AT ALL... omg... and I have panic disorder.. so already I'm really really at the edge of being able to cope)...

I know I need a fit to fly certificate, but what does that entail, does anyone know?? Do I need to be tested 24 hours before flying? or not? The husband keeps interjecting every time I think I've found solid ground on this.... by saying 'No.. that's not right. Read the link I sent you AGAIN'.. I read the link. It's no clearer... I think I've read it correctly but he's all over the place with it... and then I lose confidence that I actually understand what's required.

Is anyone able to explain it to me... in super simple, plain terms? If you are... I will be... whew... eternally grateful.... /\

This is how I understand it.

Are you a UK citizen?. You will also need to complete an ESTA (electronic travel authorisation) online if so along with Advance Passenger Information form (this can be found via the airline's website).

Are you fully vaccinated according to the CDC requirements?. If not, they will not admit you into the US.

You also need to show proof of being fully vaccinated (e.g the NHS certificate showing when and where these were done)

You will need to have a lateral flow test done 24 hours before departure by a professional person (not a home based test).

If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (i.e., your positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

You also need a CDC attestation www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Combined-Passenger-Attestation-Amended-Testing-Order-12-02-2021-p.pdf

If your a US citizen you don’t need to be vaxxed but you still need a negative test taken no more than 1 day before travel.

I just did this. It was fine. They rejected my letter for some obscure technical reason so I got a 60 minute PCR in the airport and went using that. Take an LFT and see if you are testing negative. If so, it's easier/safer to get the PCR. Cost me £30.

How do you know your husband gave you covid, could have the postman delivering a parcel you accepted when you opened the door

Fit to fly test before you go
Complete your ESTA
Download the Verifly app and upload your vaccine certificate, test results and complete the CDC

PCR 48 hrs before you return
Day 2 test when you’re back

Bumping

We’ve booked all tests through Virgin’s recommended provider as they will refund anything not needed if rules change. Dh has called them about 4 times with questions and they’ve been really helpful.

We fly next Saturday.
Lft done by video link less than 24 hours before flight - not sure how this works as there are 5 of us and it looks like we have 5 separate links (bit stressed about that). I’m not sure you have to do this if you’ve recovered but as Dd1 (who had covid in October/November can’t access the app we are doing it anyway as there’s nothing confirming exactly what’s acceptable. We have also paid for a doctors note)

Lft 48 hours before returning which you upload to an app. May not need with recovery but still vague last I checked so ended up buying for dd.

Pcr within 2 days of return but this gets delivered to you day of return. I’d hoped to do mine in the airport with the small chance of getting it back within 24 hours and me attending work the next day… I’m now working from home which isn’t ideal.

Verifly app is rubbish; do not bother using and besides which it is nothing more than a checklist. No-one at BA ever asked me if I had used it.

@NeedAHoliday2021 we (hope we) are going in a few weeks, but with BA. Can I ask about the LFT you are taking before you come home, are you taking that with you or getting it there? As far as I understand the one for coming home doesn’t need to be supervised?

For going out to the USA I understand that you can take it the day before it rather than within 24hrs of departure. So for example we fly at 8pm on a Sunday we can take the supervised LFT any time on the Saturday. For us this makes a difference as we can cancel everything 24hrs in advance with no charge if the worst comes to the worst.

And what I can’t find is clarity on the LFT for coming home, whether than can be two days before departure or whether it has to be within 48 hours. We are only there for a few days and fly back overnight, it would be handy to have it over and done with on the morning two days before so that we can get on with our day.

Finally @lomoloko where did you get a 60min PCR for £30??

Thanks all

Sorry, another question - is the NHS app enough to prove out vaccination status or do we need something else?.

Thanks!

@DoryisinCuba the lateral flows have to be purchased before flying and you have to upload to an app. The tests we got were from a company called prenetics - they refund any not used due to changes in rules etc.

We aren’t travelling as dd3 has tested positive for covid. But they are refunding the almost £500 spent on tests.

On the nhs app you’ll need the travel pass that lasts a few weeks. You can add it to your phone wallet and print out a pdf too.

There’s a requirement for children and unvaccinated to take a US lateral flow day 3-5 but that’s unsupervised and from a local pharmacy. Although that appears to be an ask rather than law.

@NeedAHoliday2021 thank you so much for that, much appreciated.

I am so sorry to hear that you are not going though, you must be gutted 😞

Feeling drained to be honest. Can’t even find the energy to cry. People who have family living on their doorstep just don’t get it and I sound like a knob moaning I can’t go on holiday. I’m regrouping and planning for Christmas but the half packed cases are still on the landing. Hope your travel is much more smooth sailing.

So gutted for you. We have had four holidays cancelled due to Covid and haven’t been away for a couple of years so we would be upset if it doesn’t happen but at least we are not going to see family. I really feel for you