What are the required Covid tests for travel in 2022?

 

Covid 19 test

Testing for COVID-19 is crucial in the fight against the virus. Understanding COVID-19 tests, including the various types of tests and their applications, as well as the different types of samples used in the tests, is critical to making an informed decision that meets your needs.

According to the CDC, we've broken down each type of test and explained the benefits of each so travelers know everything they need to know before their next trip.

RT-PCR

This is the gold standard of COVID-19 tests, providing the most precise results. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test detects genetic material using Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT). NAATs can be done with a nose swab (which looks like a long Q-tip) or saliva.

According to the CDC, "the NAAT procedure works by first amplifying – or making many copies of – the virus's genetic material present in a person's specimen." "NAATs can detect very small amounts of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a specimen by amplifying or increasing the copies of nucleic acids, making these tests highly sensitive for diagnosing COVID-19."

The sample is usually sent to a lab, and the results are usually available within a few days, but this can vary. Many Caribbean islands and destinations as far away as the Maldives, as well as some cruises, such as Viking, require PCR tests within a few days of international travel.

Rapid PCR

According to the CDC, this test uses NAAT but is performed "at or near the place where the specimen is collected," resulting in faster results.

Rapid Antigen

According to the CDC, these are at-home or point-of-care tests that provide results in about 15 minutes. They are less sensitive than RT-PCR tests, though. These tests are frequently carried out with a nose swab that is then dipped into an extraction buffer or reagent. While many countries require PCR tests to enter, some, such as Jamaica and Belize, allow for rapid antigen tests instead. While the CDC recommends that all international travelers get a test within three days of flying to the United States, rapid viral tests are acceptable.

Rapid tests, such as the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test, can be taken and viewed at home, and several airlines offer both at-home and in-person testing options at airports.

Antibody

Antibody tests differ from viral tests in that they do not detect an infection that is currently active. According to the CDC, these tests, also known as serology tests, look for antibodies that may have formed in a patient's blood as a result of a previous infection. When someone contracts COVID-19, their bodies create antibodies to fight the virus. It usually takes one to three weeks for the body to produce antibodies after an infection. According to the FDA, the tests are usually done with a finger stick or a blood draw. Many countries require negative viral tests or proof of vaccination to enter, but some will accept proof of COVID-19 infection and recovery instead.