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Test required to enter USA

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Paco23
  1/13/2021 13:21 EST

On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021

dbarnwell
  1/14/2021 15:33 EST

I have to admire the common sense of the United States Administration.
They are allowing a decent lead in time before imposing this requirement.

Ireland on the afternoon of Tues Jan 12 imposed a similar restriction, for all those entering the country as and from Saturday Jan 16.

Think about that.. You're in Miami or Toronto or Bogota or NYC with a flight to Ireland booked for Friday 15 Jan, arrival Jan 16.

On Wed morning you hear that you have to get a Covid test taken and evaluated by the day of your departure, two days away!

Absolute discourtesy and incompetence by the Irish government. Nothing new in that.
By the way I hold Irish citizenship, so I know what I am talking about.

Well done, USA.

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Dptrit
  1/15/2021 09:29 EST

Hello,
We were hopefully planning on being in Colombia in March looking for potential future retirement locations.
In your opinion will it be fairly “ easy “ to locate a testing location and get the results prior to departure? We were going to be in the Armenia area but can come back through Medellin. Trying to avoid Bogota as that is supposed to be Covid hot spot.

We of course will test prior to travel and plan to stay away from crowds. Looking for a small finca in coffee axis. Armenia, Jerico, Jardín, Termaneles San Rosa Del Cabal , are all possible areas.

In South Florida you can get a test back next day, or it might take as long as a week. Seems hit or miss.

Thank you!
DP

SkyMan
  1/15/2021 11:32 EST

Dptrit...Here in Medellin it is easy to get tested, as we have drive-up/walk-up testing centers. The blood test is 100.000 COP & swab test is 140.000 COP. Bogotá is raging with COVID right now...good move to not even fly thru thru El Dorado. Stay Well. Buena Suerte !

Electricista
  1/15/2021 12:02 EST

These three departing Americans thought they could use fake tests at the airport in Cartagena.

https://www.eluniversal.com.co/cartagena/detenidos-en-cartagena-con-pruebas-negativas-falsas-de-covid-EE4042879?fbclid=IwAR0FG8DySHMA2viNDeXXh2eTQ7yuG97QSHUtuZK2n28fcbZJ2jZ4PyYTXC8

SeñorCajero
  1/15/2021 13:34 EST

CDC will accept an AnTIGEN test, and you can get those quickly

In Canada and other countries they want a PCR with a 732 hour turn around.

That is hard to get

Also, dont trust the accuracy of the tests here..lotsof false Positives

I would avoid travelling to Colombia or anywhere until this mess is over, not because I am a COVID Nazi that wantts to restrict everyones freedom, just that it is such a hassle and more roadblocks every day.

You never know what might happen

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SeñorCajero
  1/15/2021 13:38 EST

"Blod Test" is an antibody test and not ueseful for anythibg..waste of time and money

Read the country specific government websites for what type of test is acceptable and time limitations before flight

Some countries (like US) accept ANTIGEN. Most are asking for PCR no older than 3 days.

They are putting the onus on the airlines and they are pretty strict

SeñorCajero
  1/15/2021 13:44 EST

Get educated befor you fly to make sure you are taking the right test at the right time before your flight.

Also suggest 2 tests due to possibility of fals positives, espescially when flying oout of Colombia and other developing countries

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0112-negative-covid-19-air-passengers.html

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics

Dptrit
  1/15/2021 13:59 EST

Avianca Airlines has “ partnered “ with Synlab to do the testing. $150,000 pesos at El Dorado.
But was trying not to go through El Dorado.

Off topic but if flying from Medellin to Pereira can you find a direct flight? All looked to go via Bogota.

I agree that unnecessary travel should be avoided. I typically travel internationally one to two times a year and domestically several times a year. And have not done that at all this past year.
But we also need to take the careful, cautious steps, testing, vaccine, mask, etc. and begin to Plan for a future life where we are more in control. There have always been challenges in life, that through perseverance and hard work we overcome.

Thank you for all the info.

saiid20
  1/15/2021 16:54 EST

tests...whatever....will do no good when flights from SA to US Britain cancelled due to newest covid strain...from Brazil...why not.....
Looks like Britain already has banned flights...am sure others will follow....

Good luck with your "tests"

pascoa2013
  1/16/2021 16:07 EST

Electricista - what a post about the Americans trying to fool Colombian L.E.
Do you know what test is needed to fly from Santa Marta to Bogota? Want to book my flight to renew my visa and I can't find anything certain on the web.
Thanks so much.

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smartcard
  1/16/2021 22:57 EST

Had plans to go during december but changed plans to leave in March, looks like Im going ot have to rebook and try for July or August hopefully this all this testing stuff will be over. I am Canadian and do not trust the accuracy of the pcr tests in Colombia and now we need to take one prior to leaving Canada with no gurantee of receiveing the results before departure, not to mention the cost is anywhere from $350-400 CDN. And its about$215,000 pesos in Barranquilla and they will come to ur home. Good luck to all that are travelling.

Electricista
  1/17/2021 09:51 EST

pascoa: The CDC only states the following in regards to the type of test:

"The negative pre-departure test must be a viral test that was conducted on a specimen collected during the 3 calendar days preceding the flight’s departure from a foreign country (Qualifying Test). "

The Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021 replacing the order from Dec 25.

There is a form for the passenger to fill out in the second link below as well as FAQs.

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/global-airline-testing-order_2021-01-2_R3-signed-encrypted-p.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html

pascoa2013
  1/20/2021 15:08 EST

Electrista: Thank you so much for the link. If I can't renew my M class Visa by 5 Feb. 2021, I' will have to be on a flight somewhere. The U.S. is cheaper than Brazil.

Paco23
  1/23/2021 17:55 EST

I wonder if there will be any changes to testing requirements now that the WHO has indicated that a positive PCR test should not be the determining factor in who has COVID.

I guess we will have to wait and see.

SeñorCajero
  1/24/2021 09:12 EST

Smartcard

Just cancelled my ski trip to Canada after spending $1000s in deposits

Even if you are vaccinated, upon returning to Canada probably still need a pre flight COVID PCR test AND 14 days in a government approved hotel at least until end of 2021 ..maybe permanently

Nothing to do with COVID. Part of the "Great Reset". And the Naive Canadian sheep just lap it up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2fp0Jeyjvw&ab_channel=GlobalNews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHRkkeecg7c&ab_channel=WorldEconomicForum

SeñorCajero
  1/24/2021 09:23 EST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwEhDm5CbpY&ab_channel=TheKwakBrothers

SeñorCajero
  1/24/2021 09:39 EST

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcAO4-o_4Ug&ab_channel=SkyNewsAustralia

SkyMan
  1/24/2021 10:22 EST

SeñorCajero...Sorry you had to cancel your ski trip. Lots of uncertainty in today's COVID world concerning travel. We all have lost almost a year of being able to travel and live our lives as they were before. Stay well. Buena Suerte !

augieman
  1/26/2021 08:44 EST

This morning's news revealed that a case of the Brazilian varient has surfaced in the USA- Minnesota?-
a more deadly mutation than what we have been dealing.

I have mixed feelings on travel restrictions, but this cas was brought by a person who just returned from brazil, where covid is right and truely out of control.

Seems there was a restriction on Brazil travel, but the outgoing admin lifted that restriction on the way out the door.

It is being reinstated...too late?

I remember the Ebola crisis where the near unanimous call was for close the borders, even to a nurse who went from the USA to Africa to help out there, a citizen of NJ who Gov. Christy wanted kept out of her country.
Coming soon to a theater near you...!

Orion95
  1/26/2021 08:50 EST

Hopefully the new vaccines will continue to offer at least partial immunity and there will be a booster short for the new strain down the line. We are so lucky this virus isn't more deadly and more seriously effects those of us closer to the end of the line and not the younger segment of the population.

SkyMan
  1/26/2021 11:53 EST

Just a thought...since the super-spreaders are from ages 20's-40's(Partees, etc)...should we not vaccinate them first ? Yes I realize the vaccinations of the 80+ and 70+ are designed to protect them...but they are the groups that are generally staying home anyway. Just a thought to ponder. Stay well. Buena Suerte !

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