The Centers for Disease Control just made it a little bit easier to travel to the U.S. from abroad by allowing home-based Covid tests to meet the requirement of a negative test within 72 hours before boarding a flight to the U.S. Still, hurdles remain.
The CDC’s approval of home tests requires that they be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test, either NAAT or antigen, that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, the test must be remotely supervised by a telehealth service approved by the manufacturer, and produce a detailed report with the negative result and the person’s identity.
The approval is good for travelers heading to the U.S., but the tests may not be accepted by the travelers’ destinations. And, some countries do not permit the import of tests and medicines they have not approved, so travelers taking a test with them to use on the way home will have to shop carefully.
Home test kits are available in the UK from your local Pharmacy between 1pm and 4pm – Free of charge. 2 packs of seven. Just ask.
To be used for admission to the U.S., they must come from an approved supplier which also does an online procedure with the person being tested. The test’s serial number is registered to the person and verified.
Zach Honig of ThePointsGuy.com described the process and his experience in a recent post
I’m curious how widely available for sale those home tests are in other countries ? Like you reported, you could bring the test with you, if allowed. It is good news though. The way it was a lot of people, including myself, weren’t able to get tested because in a lot of places Covid tests are only given to those who show symptoms.
From today I can get a UK Government Certificate that I am fully vaccinated and Covid free. No charge. Sounds like somebody wants the Good Citizens of the US to jump through hoops AND pay for the privilege.
UPDATE
American Airlines is now offering the Binax supervised home test that is approved by CDC for returning travelers; a set of six can be ordered from AA’s website and delivered by lab partner eMed, which also provides the online supervision for the test as required. Cost is $150 for a set of six tests.