Is it a PCR or antigen test needed for US travel?

Q: Travelling to the US, do I need a PCR or antigen test? Does your office offer these?

A: All persons travelling to the US, citizens and non-citizens age 2 and older are mandated by US law to have a viral test (PCR or rapid antigen test [RAT]) to determine if they are currently infected with the COVID-19 causing virus, SARS-CoV-2. A negative result generated by either testing modality will suffice.

Exemptions may be granted to persons who have recently recovered from COVID-19. The relevant documentation must be generated by a registered medical practitioner or a public health official.

All non-U.S. citizens, with the exception of children under 18, need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before they board a plane travelling to the US. This will be verified at the time of the passenger’s check-in. Vaccines accepted by the US include those approved by the World Health Organisation or by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

If you are travelling to the US on a direct flight, your test must be done no more than one (1) calendar day before your flight departs to the US. For example, if flying on a direct flight from AIA to Miami on February 1, 2022, your test must be done no earlier than January 31, 2022.

While a negative PCR or RAT will be accepted as being adequate proof that you are not infected with SARS-CoV-2, however, the results of the RAT can often be obtained in 30 minutes or less; the PCR’s results may take a few hours.

Passengers travelling to the US must have a paper or electronic copy of their test result. This result will need to be reviewed and verified by the airline before the passenger boards the aircraft and may be requested by US public health personnel on arrival in the US.

There are many good over the counter rapid antigen home test kits, however, a lab or doctor’s report is what is required to be presented to the airline and public health officials upon request.

The PCR test’s amplified sensitivity does have its advantages, in that it may detect SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms begin, however, its extreme sensitivity is also its primary drawback. The PCR’s results may remain positive for weeks to months in persons who previously had COVID-19 but are no longer infectious. On the other hand the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) in most instances becomes negative around or shortly after the time that one is no longer infectious. Hence the RAT is the test of choice in order to determine if someone can travel to the US who had COVID-19 within 4-12 weeks of their travel.

My clinic, Family Care Clinic offers both SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen and PCR tests. The Rapid Antigen Test’s results are available in 15-30 minutes and the PRC’s results are available in a few hours. Please feel free to call us for further details.

Author’s contact Information: Dr. C. Malcolm Grant – Family Physician, c/o Family Care Clinic, Arnos Vale, www.familycaresvg.com, clinic The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, Family Care Clinic or The Searchlight Newspaper or their associates, respectively, are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information provided above.