Many countries and airlines require COVID-19 test results before passengers can board flights. The most reliable tests are RT-PCR or nucleic acid amplification tests conducted using nasal swabs; these are more often the preferred options than blood draws for testing purposes.
Most major pharmacies and clinics provide RT-PCR tests for travel under remote health supervision, with some even offering tests that provide certificates to support travel.
1. XpresCheck
With PCR testing services now being provided at most airports, finding somewhere to get tested before your next flight should not be an issue. You should also visit your destination’s website to determine whether they require a pcr test for entry; many countries still require travelers to present a negative result prior to entering; however, some require testing only in cases of active infections.
XpresCheck offers convenient COVID-19 testing at multiple airports, with kiosks at JFK, LaGuardia, and other airports offering walk-up PCR tests. In addition to that they also offer home collection kits so individuals can send samples directly to the lab where PCR testing or genetic sequencing may take place to identify antibodies in these samples.
QuestDiagnostics is another nationwide lab offering travel health tests. Their services include in-person PCR nasal swab tests and antibody blood tests which are offered at over 2,200 QuestLabs around the country for $119; results usually become available within several days; insurance is accepted.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends seeking a PCR test from an accredited healthcare provider or lab accredited by either themselves or another professional medical organization. CVS and MinuteClinic both offer travel PCR testing at most of their locations; some may require pre-screening questions before testing can take place.
Online retailers now provide at-home PCR tests for travel, such as Vault Health and Azova. Both these options feature Zoom video observations with health professionals and home collection kits with FDA-approved RT-PCR tests for international and domestic travel that produce results within 48 hours. This technology can especially helpful for American travelers attempting to avoid quarantine at their return to the U.S.
2. QuestDiagnostics
This nationwide lab offers both in-person and at-home Covid-19 tests. Their swab test for active infection costs $119 and provides results within one to two days. Furthermore, RT-PCR and antibody blood tests are also offered as well as saliva or nasal swabs tests to detect coronavirus antibodies; on-site testing options include the CDC, SFO, LAX, JFK Sheraton Portland Seattle Airport Phoenix Sky Harbor.
An at-home test offers travelers looking for quick results a convenient solution. FDA-approved and accepted by travel authorities, these FDA-compliant tests require sending in either a sputum or nasal swab using a pre-paid FedEx label – not intended for pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.
Quest Diagnostics is a medical laboratory company that specializes in blood and clinical tests. Headquartered in the US and serving patients from over 30 countries around the globe, its website features tools to assist consumers navigate health care systems such as searchable databases of doctors, clinics and hospitals as well as tools that compare prices and services offered.
This website also features an educational resource to assist consumers in comprehending their results, interpret various types of results and understand what they mean, as well as emphasizes the significance of keeping an accurate health record. These educational materials offer a great way to improve quality care delivery.
The site also features a tool that enables users to determine whether a testing laboratory is part of the National Association of Testing Laboratories (NATL). This allows consumers to ensure they’re getting quality service when traveling internationally, especially useful when traveling across borders. Furthermore, this website lists each lab’s contact details as well as tests available; visitors can submit feedback regarding them to ensure continued excellence for consumers.
3. XpresSpa
The XpresSpa Group has long been an airport spa service provider of choice. Last year it held 61% of the U.S. spa market share – over three times larger than Be Relax’s share. But they quickly recognized an opportunity to help travelers during pandemic outbreaks, quickly turning locations into Covid-19 testing centers.
The company began by meeting with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (which runs JFK as well as Newark Liberty and LaGuardia airports) to explore potential sites for testing. Two XpresSpa locations by Gate B24 near MAC Cosmetics stores at JFK terminal were proposed and within weeks a new branch of their company had been created with an on-site medical director and licensed healthcare staff members.
XpresTest, our COVID-19 testing division, caters to airline employees and passengers as well as airport employees and passengers alike. Their goal is to complete 500 tests daily. With their own team of nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians on hand to conduct tests and swabs as well as Nomi Health’s software platform making the process more efficient and accurate than ever.
XpresSpa provides more than massage and beauty treatments; in addition to offering discounted travel medications. They’ve even introduced a line of travel products that aim to alleviate travel-day stress.
XSPA, a publicly held firm trading on the Nasdaq Exchange under its ticker symbol, reports quarterly earnings and provides a forward-looking outlook. Its segments include XpresSpa, XpresTest and Treat; with the former providing premium spa services such as massages, nail and skin care treatments as well as spa and travel products while the latter offering COVID-19 testing at wellness centers within airports; finally XpresTreat provides on-demand access to integrated care that fits seamlessly into post-pandemic scenarios.
4. Curative
As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, many countries are relaxing travel restrictions; however, some destinations still require positive test results in order to enter. Therefore, it’s essential that you become familiar with PCR testing options available to you in your region so as to obtain one before embarking on any travel adventures.
Quest Diagnostics and XpresCheck offer two popular PCR tests nationwide, which use swab samples to detect both active infection and antibodies. If you need assistance selecting the appropriate test, speak with a healthcare provider or nurse. In addition to offering antibody blood tests as part of their services, some laboratories also provide PCR testing options.
Curative is a health care startup best known for providing COVID-19 testing and vaccination during its pandemic outbreak. Recently, they expanded their offering by unveiling a health insurance plan without deductibles or copays – something many competitors could only dream about offering their customers.
Township and this company are also teaming up to offer swab collection at multiple locations around Rhode Island, with Kennedy Plaza in Providence being the inaugural site. Appointments are recommended; those without one may use the Division of Public Health’s online testing locator to locate one near them.
Though most PCR tests are approved by airlines, some are more reliable than others. Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines accept Ellume by Azova’s at-home swab kit as an at-home test for domestic and international travel; its $35 price includes swabs, smartphone apps with video observation features, results in 15 minutes; another at-home test from Qured which holds FDA emergency use approval as well as endorsement from VeriFLY airlines is another good choice for travel testing at home.
Home buyers can also purchase and ship a swab to LabCorp’s OnDemand lab for a PCR test; however, you should contact your travel destination to learn their rules and timelines (some destinations will only accept samples collected no more than three days prior to departure); certain countries only accept tests with specific protocols (RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, NEAR or HDA); this guide will show how you can select an appropriate test type for your trip.
