After more than a year of COVID lockdown restrictions, vaccination progress in many countries has led to the reopening of international borders and the long awaited revival of the travel industry.
Travel is making a fast recovery both domestically and internationally, in hotel bookings, flight capacity and online searches as passengers are eager to make up for the past year of mandated isolation. Total Testing Solution’s flight approved COVID tests take the guesswork out of your travel plans, book at any of our LA locations below or schedule a concierge visit for one of our medical professionals to come to your home.
With effective containment measures in place globally, many countries are deemed safe for international travel by the CDC, particularly for vaccinated passengers. However, in order to be cautious in reopening, all passengers including those who are vaccinated may be required to show proof of a negative COVID test or other documentation to enter a foriegn country.
For up to date testing and travel regulations worldwide, TTS recommends using the IATA Travel Centre Map here: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php Travellers are still encouraged to check the specific requirements of the country they wish to visit to see whether they need a test and which kinds are accepted.
The travel status of individual countries can change suddenly, including which COVID test types are deemed acceptable, and staying on top of it all can be daunting. Learn more about country-specific entry requirements such as the border status, COVID-19 testing requirements, and additional required documentation using the table below:
Common COVID Test Types for Flights & What They Mean
Molecular
Molecular testing is a blanket term that includes many more specific test types under it such as NAAT, rt-LAMP and rt-PCR. Many airlines will require a molecular test for passengers, which is simply a method of amplifying viral RNA using a molecular diagnostic assay to detect the COVID-19 virus. Molecular testing may also be referred to as:
- Diagnostic Testing
- Viral Testing
- NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing)
- rt-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- rt-LAMP (Reverse Transcriptase Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification)
NAAT
NAAT tests stand for Nucleic Acid Amplification and is a type of molecular COVID test often acceptable for travel. These tests detect the virus’s genetic material in samples most often collected via nasal or oral swab. By making copies of the genetic material, these tests are able to detect very small amounts of viral load and are considered highly accurate. NAAT tests are offered at Total Testing Solutions in a rapid or PCR option.
rt-PCR
rt-PCR is a type of NAAT test, and the most commonly used test term when it comes to travel. RT-PCR stands for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Samples are most commonly taken via nasal or oral swab and are sent out to a lab for processing. This test type is considered the ‘gold standard’ of COVID testing with a high level of accuracy.
rt-LAMP
rt-LAMP is a type of NAAT test, and used most commonly for rapid molecular testing. This testing uses loop mediated isothermal amplification and heat to amplify DNA. Samples are most commonly taken via nasal or oral swab and processed either on-site or in a laboratory. This type of testing is highly accurate but much faster than rt-PCR testing. It is accepted worldwide for travel.
Learn more about COVID test types here
Other Travel Requirements
Many countries may have additional requirements for entry, such as Japan’s “Certificate of Negative Test Result” document which requires physician signature and laboratory information from where the test was performed. No matter what your destination’s requirements are for entry, Total Testing Solutions will help you get there.
Returning to the US
On January 12, 2021, CDC announced a requirement that all air passengers arriving from a foreign country must be tested no more than 72 hours before their flight departs and to present the negative result documentation prior to boarding their flight. This test must be a "viral test". Viral tests are inclusive of any diagnostic tests and include rt-PCR, rt-LAMP, NAAT and Antigen tests.
After Travel Test
Mandatory testing requirements reduce the chances of getting COVID-19 when travelling, however upon returning from your trip it is recommended to get tested to confirm that you are not carrying the virus asymptomatically. With new variants cropping up abroad, it is important to be vigilant and continue testing to prevent a future resurgence of the virus domestically. Book your COVID test within 1-2 weeks of returning home using the link below:
