Right here’s What To Do If You Check Constructive For Covid-19 Whereas Touring Exterior The U.S.

A positive Covid-19 test result means you cannot enter the United States

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If you’re planning an international trip these days, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be stuck at your destination longer than planned – and you should definitely make provision for that possibility.

Regardless of your vaccination status, you must have a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of boarding the United States.

A positive test before the return flight home – an occurrence that is becoming increasingly common among international travelers – not only delays your return journey, but also increases your costs significantly. Your health insurance in the US is unlikely to cover medical expenses abroad and you will have to rely on resources in your destination country. This is why it is so important to buy Pandemic-specific travel insurance before leaving home – and why some countries require foreign tourists to take it with them.

This is also the reason why unvaccinated Americans should urgently reconsider traveling outside of the United States, as the risk of contracting Covid-19 is so much greater. the CDC recommends avoiding international travel until you are fully vaccinated.

Covid-19 resources for international travel

Consult the before any international travel U.S. Department of State Covid-related site for your goal. These pages are updated frequently and cover entry and exit regulations for that country, as well as testing and local resources. Make sure to bookmark the page or take a screenshot of these resource lists, which include the addresses and phone numbers of the testing labs in your destination.

Some airlines have become one-stop shops for travelers, offering information on where and how to get tested before your flight, and advice on what to do on the ground at your destination. You may be able to pre-order test kits, find a list of test providers, and maybe even test them on site at the airport.

Once at your destination, your hotel may be able to help you find a test provider and even book a test. Some hotels even offer on-site tests. Don’t wait until the last minute to create your test plan.

Consider traveling with self-tests

The CDC accepts the results of the Covid self-test for re-entry into the USA. The beauty of taking a test like this is that you can buy it in advance in the US and then test yourself at your destination within 72 hours of your return flight. The downside is that it’s a little more complicated, with an additional requirement to go through a telemedicine service that oversees the test. according to CDC, “International passengers traveling to the United States can perform a self-test that meets the following criteria:

• The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 virus test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• The test procedure must include a telemedicine service connected to the test manufacturer, which enables remote monitoring in real time via an audio and video connection. Some FDA-approved self-tests that include telemedicine service may require a prescription.
• The telemedicine provider must confirm the identity of the person, follow the sampling and testing procedures, confirm the test result and produce a report that meets the requirements of the CDC regulation (see below “What information must be included in the test result?”).
• Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to see and confirm the identity of the person and the details of the test results. The passenger must also be able to provide documentation of test results to U.S. officials at the port of entry and local / state health officials upon request.

Before going the self-test route, it is important to check that your target country also recognizes self-test kits.

Two self-tests with FDA approval include the Abbott’s BinaxNow Covid-19 home test, which costs $ 150 for a six-pack, and The Ellume Covid-19 home test with Azova, which cost $ 50 each.

What if you test positive

If you test positive for Covid-19 within days of your scheduled return flight, you will need to quarantine yourself until you test negative – and multiple tests may be required before this happens.

The quarantine rules depend on your destination. If you are lucky, you can extend your hotel stay and isolate yourself in your room. However, in some countries, travelers are required to stay in a designated quarantine hotel. Regardless of where you are, you’ll pay the bill for any extra days you spend in your destination.

Aside from the additional costs you will incur for accommodation, consider any other potential costs from food (likely limited to room service) to additional Covid tests and medical assistance that you may need.