Air travel policy updates

[MyGirlLovesTink]

Has anyone in Ontario done the Rapid Antigen test that they offer at Shopper's for $40 per screening. According to the CDC, this is an acceptable type of test for entry to the US. Just would like to see if anyone has done it and used it yet for entry to the US? Why would anyone do the $199 option if the $40 option is available?

 

[CanucksRock]

I’m curious how the covid test on return will work with a layover. (Assuming my flight is not canceled/changed I layover in YYZ) I’m going for the 50th…I am hoping the whole Covid testing will go away for fully vaccinated by then.

 

[Dawg74]

Has anyone in Ontario done the Rapid Antigen test that they offer at Shopper's for $40 per screening. According to the CDC, this is an acceptable type of test for entry to the US. Just would like to see if anyone has done it and used it yet for entry to the US? Why would anyone do the $199 option if the $40 option is available?

I would like to know this to. We want to travel this September but the rules seem confusing. I don't want to get stuck at the airport going in either direction.

 

[Tanooki]

Update!

We extended our stay to arrive back after the change in quarantine policies as all three of us are fully vaccinated (and a few more days at Disney isn’t the worst either). We did the Walgreens Rapid ID Now test this afternoon, which is NAAT and an accepted test. They promise results within 24 hours.

Originally, we were planning to book an Uber or Lyft. However, I started getting nervous about the drivers refusing once they learned what we were asking of them and thereby missing our appointments. I ended up seeing a Mears taxi outside our resort a few days ago and asked him if this was something he might be willing to do- he said sure, so I called him to book it yesterday. I booked at a nearby Walgreens three days earlier, which is the earliest you can book. I booked two people into one slot and the third into another slot- they seem to do 15-minute intervals and two people per slot. I called Walgreens and they said that no insurance/ residency ID was required, that the government was funding the tests if we didn’t have insurance or weren’t residents. It did sound too good to be true, but we were prepared to pay if needed.

There was quite a line at the pharmacy drive thru, but our cab driver didn’t bat an eye. He just waited patiently for about 20 minutes until we could roll to the window. We had been told to bring ID and appointment confirmation emails, but in the end, all we were asked were our names. That amazing cab driver sat through all of us self-swabbing without a hint of annoyance- I’m not sure any Uber driver would genuinely have waited 20 minutes in a line, plus sat through people sticking q-tips up their noses, so I’m really glad we arranged this whole process in advance!

There was no charge- our receipts showed $129 for each test and then zeroed out. Unbelievably, we got our results less than an hour after getting back to the resort.

I hope this helps anyone “stuck” with the return travel testing! I know that this was a point of some anxiety for us throughout our stay and it involved a lot of puzzle pieces that needed to be fitted together.

Thank you for this! Very happy to get a report that it works and hopeful that it will still be the case in a month!
I would also appreciate the driver’s information in case we can’t work it out with our planned transport. Have a great trip back home

 

[quandrea]

Update!

We extended our stay to arrive back after the change in quarantine policies as all three of us are fully vaccinated (and a few more days at Disney isn’t the worst either). We did the Walgreens Rapid ID Now test this afternoon, which is NAAT and an accepted test. They promise results within 24 hours.

Originally, we were planning to book an Uber or Lyft. However, I started getting nervous about the drivers refusing once they learned what we were asking of them and thereby missing our appointments. I ended up seeing a Mears taxi outside our resort a few days ago and asked him if this was something he might be willing to do- he said sure, so I called him to book it yesterday. I booked at a nearby Walgreens three days earlier, which is the earliest you can book. I booked two people into one slot and the third into another slot- they seem to do 15-minute intervals and two people per slot. I called Walgreens and they said that no insurance/ residency ID was required, that the government was funding the tests if we didn’t have insurance or weren’t residents. It did sound too good to be true, but we were prepared to pay if needed.

There was quite a line at the pharmacy drive thru, but our cab driver didn’t bat an eye. He just waited patiently for about 20 minutes until we could roll to the window. We had been told to bring ID and appointment confirmation emails, but in the end, all we were asked were our names. That amazing cab driver sat through all of us self-swabbing without a hint of annoyance- I’m not sure any Uber driver would genuinely have waited 20 minutes in a line, plus sat through people sticking q-tips up their noses, so I’m really glad we arranged this whole process in advance!

There was no charge- our receipts showed $129 for each test and then zeroed out. Unbelievably, we got our results less than an hour after getting back to the resort.

I hope this helps anyone “stuck” with the return travel testing! I know that this was a point of some anxiety for us throughout our stay and it involved a lot of puzzle pieces that needed to be fitted together.

Did you have to pay for the Walgreens test? If so, how much?

 

[zebsterama]

I would like to know this to. We want to travel this September but the rules seem confusing. I don't want to get stuck at the airport going in either direction.

I'm curious as well. We have a trip planned for late August.

Thank you

 

[Susan2771]

Has anyone in Ontario done the Rapid Antigen test that they offer at Shopper's for $40 per screening. According to the CDC, this is an acceptable type of test for entry to the US. Just would like to see if anyone has done it and used it yet for entry to the US? Why would anyone do the $199 option if the $40 option is available?

Is this done by the pharmacist, or is it a kit? Do they provide the test resulting in writing?

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Update!

We extended our stay to arrive back after the change in quarantine policies as all three of us are fully vaccinated (and a few more days at Disney isn’t the worst either). We did the Walgreens Rapid ID Now test this afternoon, which is NAAT and an accepted test. They promise results within 24 hours.

Originally, we were planning to book an Uber or Lyft. However, I started getting nervous about the drivers refusing once they learned what we were asking of them and thereby missing our appointments. I ended up seeing a Mears taxi outside our resort a few days ago and asked him if this was something he might be willing to do- he said sure, so I called him to book it yesterday. I booked at a nearby Walgreens three days earlier, which is the earliest you can book. I booked two people into one slot and the third into another slot- they seem to do 15-minute intervals and two people per slot. I called Walgreens and they said that no insurance/ residency ID was required, that the government was funding the tests if we didn’t have insurance or weren’t residents. It did sound too good to be true, but we were prepared to pay if needed.

There was quite a line at the pharmacy drive thru, but our cab driver didn’t bat an eye. He just waited patiently for about 20 minutes until we could roll to the window. We had been told to bring ID and appointment confirmation emails, but in the end, all we were asked were our names. That amazing cab driver sat through all of us self-swabbing without a hint of annoyance- I’m not sure any Uber driver would genuinely have waited 20 minutes in a line, plus sat through people sticking q-tips up their noses, so I’m really glad we arranged this whole process in advance!

There was no charge- our receipts showed $129 for each test and then zeroed out. Unbelievably, we got our results less than an hour after getting back to the resort.

I hope this helps anyone “stuck” with the return travel testing! I know that this was a point of some anxiety for us throughout our stay and it involved a lot of puzzle pieces that needed to be fitted together.

Wow this is amazing, I’m so happy for you that it all worked out.
Thank you for such a detailed report!
Hooray for no quarantine, hope you find some time after your return to let us know the rest of the process coming back.
Also, as few others asked above, we would also appreciate the cab drives contact information, if you don’t think or know he would not mind.
We are due to go August 15 (right now fly out and into Toronto Pearson) as long as DS 12 has second shot, he’s booked for end of July.
DH and I got ours yesterday.
I am still scared for all of this, but I think more for letting friends and family know. Sigh
Safe journey home!

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Has anyone in Ontario done the Rapid Antigen test that they offer at Shopper's for $40 per screening. According to the CDC, this is an acceptable type of test for entry to the US. Just would like to see if anyone has done it and used it yet for entry to the US? Why would anyone do the $199 option if the $40 option is available?

I was at Shoppers yesterday for my second covid vaccine and asked the pharmacist about this test.
Or actually... I asked “do you perform covid tests for travel to the USA here?” The pharmacist proceeded to inform yes they do, it’s by appt only, to make sure to call to book well ahead of time. I asked for the cost and he said $40 per person.
I didn’t want to take up any more of his time as there were other people waiting, but I’ll definitely be calling them soon. He didn’t even mention the other more expensive PCR test.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Is this done by the pharmacist, or is it a kit? Do they provide the test resulting in writing?

The test isn't actually done by Shoppers at all, they just sell it. The test is completed by Life Labs and yes you will get the results in writing. It is specifically for travel so they know what is required.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I was at Shoppers yesterday for my second covid vaccine and asked the pharmacist about this test.
Or actually... I asked “do you perform covid tests for travel to the USA here?” The pharmacist proceeded to inform yes they do, it’s by appt only, to make sure to call to book well ahead of time. I asked for the cost and he said $40 per person.
I didn’t want to take up any more of his time as there were other people waiting, but I’ll definitely be calling them soon. He didn’t even mention the other more expensive PCR test.

Here is the link that explains how the process is done, Shoppers themselves do not complete the test it is Life Labs that does it.

https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/testing

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Here is the link that explains how the process is done, Shoppers themselves do not complete the test it is Life Labs that does it.

https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/testing

Thank you!
I didn’t actually get all the details but it is interesting that the pharmacist told me to make sure I book the appt well ahead of time so it works for my travel dates and for them... book an appt to buy the test?
Anyway I’ll be calling them next Monday at the latest (I’m off all next week) or if I stop by there this weekend and there is nobody in line I might ask.

 

[pangyal]

Did you have to pay for the Walgreens test? If so, how much?

We didn’t pay anything!

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Here is the link that explains how the process is done, Shoppers themselves do not complete the test it is Life Labs that does it.

https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/testing

So this says that both can be done at the pharmacy. I wonder if it depends on locating?
I shall find out soon
https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/testing/antigen-screening

 

[pangyal]

Thank you all for letting me know that my post was helpful! Unfortunately, I did call that stellar cab driver to ask if I can give out his phone number and he said he wouldn’t be crazy about it as it’s his personal line, but he did say that if you call Mears and explain what you would like, they can certainly arrange for someone to help .

 

[KNovacovschi]

Thank you!
I didn’t actually get all the details but it is interesting that the pharmacist told me to make sure I book the appt well ahead of time so it works for my travel dates and for them... book an appt to buy the test?
Anyway I’ll be calling them next Monday at the latest (I’m off all next week) or if I stop by there this weekend and there is nobody in line I might ask.

I purchased mine back in January for April but didn’t end up going. I called a couple months ago to book my appointment for the test for our September trip and was advised to call back about 3 weeks before my trip to book the test since they don’t have appointment times available past that timeframe. The appointments for the test are through Lifelabs but you purchase the test from Shoppers and yes the tests may be done at the pharmacy but it’s completed by Lifelabs. When I submitted to book the test previously it didn’t show a date of travel but I did it again tonight and this time it does so maybe they will allow bookings this far out now. Who knows though, things keep changing.

 

[Susan2771]

I was at Shoppers yesterday for my second covid vaccine and asked the pharmacist about this test.
Or actually... I asked “do you perform covid tests for travel to the USA here?” The pharmacist proceeded to inform yes they do, it’s by appt only, to make sure to call to book well ahead of time. I asked for the cost and he said $40 per person.
I didn’t want to take up any more of his time as there were other people waiting, but I’ll definitely be calling them soon. He didn’t even mention the other more expensive PCR test.

Thank-you. It's weird that Life Labs processes the Shoppers test for $40 a person, yet if you actually go to Life Labs and do it there, they charge you $200 for the test.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Thank-you. It's weird that Life Labs processes the Shoppers test for $40 a person, yet if you actually go to Life Labs and do it there, they charge you $200 for the test.

I didn’t say that shoppers uses life labs or that it’s the same test even... they never mentioned it to me at all.
I’ll be looking into it more though, but the pharmacist told me they do the tests and they are $40 for travel to USA. That is all he said.

 

[Sue M]

Update!

We extended our stay to arrive back after the change in quarantine policies as all three of us are fully vaccinated (and a few more days at Disney isn’t the worst either). We did the Walgreens Rapid ID Now test this afternoon, which is NAAT and an accepted test. They promise results within 24 hours.

Originally, we were planning to book an Uber or Lyft. However, I started getting nervous about the drivers refusing once they learned what we were asking of them and thereby missing our appointments. I ended up seeing a Mears taxi outside our resort a few days ago and asked him if this was something he might be willing to do- he said sure, so I called him to book it yesterday. I booked at a nearby Walgreens three days earlier, which is the earliest you can book. I booked two people into one slot and the third into another slot- they seem to do 15-minute intervals and two people per slot. I called Walgreens and they said that no insurance/ residency ID was required, that the government was funding the tests if we didn’t have insurance or weren’t residents. It did sound too good to be true, but we were prepared to pay if needed.

There was quite a line at the pharmacy drive thru, but our cab driver didn’t bat an eye. He just waited patiently for about 20 minutes until we could roll to the window. We had been told to bring ID and appointment confirmation emails, but in the end, all we were asked were our names. That amazing cab driver sat through all of us self-swabbing without a hint of annoyance- I’m not sure any Uber driver would genuinely have waited 20 minutes in a line, plus sat through people sticking q-tips up their noses, so I’m really glad we arranged this whole process in advance!

There was no charge- our receipts showed $129 for each test and then zeroed out. Unbelievably, we got our results less than an hour after getting back to the resort.

I hope this helps anyone “stuck” with the return travel testing! I know that this was a point of some anxiety for us throughout our stay and it involved a lot of puzzle pieces that needed to be fitted together.

Can you tell me how much the cab charged? 20 min wait, all I can see is the meter spinning lol! Also which Walgreens you went to! Thanks

 

[Sue M]

I didn’t say that shoppers uses life labs or that it’s the same test even... they never mentioned it to me at all.
I’ll be looking into it more though, but the pharmacist told me they do the tests and they are $40 for travel to USA. That is all he said.

I don’t think the Shoppers in BC charge that . They use Fly Clear and it’s $200 boo.