Alleluia!!! Removing pre arrival covid 19 testing is on the horizon

[OkanaganAmanda]

I dunno I'm super excited. Rapid tests aren't as sensitive as PCR tests, and no more isolation when you get home if you're selected for random testing. Two wins in my book!

Only 7 days left till we test to get on the plane!

Me too. I had Covid last week (so went and paid $228 for a positive PCR test. Ouch!!!!). My kids and husband didn't get sick.....so the massive concern is, what if they DID get it and were completey asymptomatic. They tested negative on a rapid test, but we all know that they *could* have turned a PCR test positive. But at $228 per test here, I wasn't going to take that gamble. I would HATE for them to test positive on a PCR when coming home from Disneyland next month. The fact that they only have to do a rapid test before arriving home now is the best news I could have hoped for.

One month till we leave! Haven't travelled since 2019 and I am SO READY to go. Have a great trip!!!

 

[OkanaganAmanda]

And antigen would be 24 hours before like the States, right?

yes, that is what they said. And at least it means getting a result pretty much immediately and not waiting that 24-28 hours for a result.

 

[OkanaganAmanda]

So happy. Antigen testing saves more than $120CAD per person

or more!! I just paid $228 for a PCR test here (to prove a positive result) so that I don't have to get a negative test in Disneyland next month. This is huge.

 

[Dawg74]

Nothing yet has been said about being able to return with a positive test and quarantine at home if crossing land border right? Assuming the fine is still there if you do so?

I would like to know this to.

 

[pigletto]

I just went ahead and ordered two boxes of the Switch Health rapid antigen tests through Aeroplan. I usually try to save money and look for free options but the idea of testing in the States, getting to wherever the test is, and hoping for timely results just stresses me out. So we’ll do the antigen tests in our room and be done with it. It’s a much better option for us.

 

[rfranklin]

So who is the cheapest option to get a Rapid Antigen test in Anaheim? Probably Walgreens or CVS but do you need a car to do the drive thru? I see the Covid Courier is $119. Need to figure this out before I leave next week.

 

[PalmettoPath]

I’ve noticed much more Switch RT- LAMP test marketing ads on my Facebook feed, etc. We purchased them back in November for a December trip (and they were great) but I have not visited their website lately or otherwise looked into them at all recently. But suddenly the ads are everywhere. Hopefully they know something that we don’t and are trying to off-load them while they still can.

We bought the Switch RT LAMP tests for March. I'm still glad we have them because we'll do the tests 72 hours before flying and then if (hopefully) negative results, we can at least relax for the last three days. With the new option to do an antigen 24 hours before your flight, you have to stress out right up until the last minute -- just like we're doing now so we don't catch anything before we head down in March :0

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Woohoo great news and my 1 year old won’t have to isolate for two weeks on return.

Think we will order from Switch Health for our rapid antigen tests for our trip in March. Easier than trying to find a pharmacy and the ones at MCO are $65 US each.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I just went ahead and ordered two boxes of the Switch Health rapid antigen tests through Aeroplan. I usually try to save money and look for free options but the idea of testing in the States, getting to wherever the test is, and hoping for timely results just stresses me out. So we’ll do the antigen tests in our room and be done with it. It’s a much better option for us.

I literally just did the same thing. Testing from the resort seems worth the $40 each.

 

[CanucksRock]

Unless your going to Orlando, I too would suggest the Switch Health Antigen test. Super easy.

 

[Aug2020distrip]

I will have to look into this more. We leave on a Sunday morning and the few places I looked for antigen tests are closed saturdays. Will be looking through this thread later for ideas!

 

[TropicalDIS]

Was hoping they would get rid of testing altogether for vaccinated Canadians. Oh well, glad to see some people are happy about the switch. Going to Orlando next week, I'm not sure I will notice a big difference. I assume the NAAT (RAPID ID NOW) tests from Wal-greens are still going to be accepted?

 

[KCMA]

Is it confirmed the antigen test has to be within 24 hours of entering Canada ?

throws a wrinkle in the plans for those that drive… get tested in Orlando and drive straight through… or if you stop at night you would have to get tested somewhere along the way

 

[CanucksRock]

Was hoping they would get rid of testing altogether for vaccinated Canadians. Oh well, glad to see some people are happy about the switch. Going to Orlando next week, I'm not sure I will notice a big difference. I assume the NAAT (RAPID ID NOW) tests from Wal-greens are still going to be accepted?

Yes. Antigen or PCR. I have done Walgreens twice, when I went two weeks ago they were super quick (…and were nice enough to tell me I was positive in less than 30 minutes )

 

[bcwife76]

Is it confirmed the antigen test has to be within 24 hours of entering Canada ?

throws a wrinkle in the plans for those that drive… get tested in Orlando and drive straight through… or if you stop at night you would have to get tested somewhere along the way

I heard one calendar day. Just like the US. So if you are returning home at say, 5pm on Tuesday, you can test ANY time on the Monday.

 

[Starwind]

Meh. I'm glad RAT are cheaper and easier to get but it's still a stupid extra expense. Testing for vaccinated Canadians should have been dropped completely.

They also spoke about cruising and will "have more to say about how testing for people coming to Canada to cruise will work". Whatever that means.

There are two scenarios that they will have to address with regard to cruising:

- testing for those whose cruise departs from/ends in Canada [timing, type of test(s), etc]; and
- testing for those whose cruise departs from outside Canada but has a port(s) in Canada [timing, type of test, etc]

SW

 

[dawnelda]

throws a wrinkle in the plans for those that drive… get tested in Orlando and drive straight through… or if you stop at night you would have to get tested somewhere along the way

I agree that it makes it tricky for people driving home to Canada from Orlando. It would be good to be able to test in the hotel room the last night before crossing back into Canada. Are there any tests that can be ordered in advance to do this? Just Switch Health or are there cheaper options?

 

[Juventus]

I don't like this 24hr (or one day rule) for the rapid tests.

I will be driving from Kissimmee on Saturday March 19th early (5:00am ish). I usually drive through and make it to Ambassador bridge around 11:30pm....but would need a buffer if it takes longer. Since the RAT tests need to be take within 24 hours or 1 day, I guess I will have to pull over somewhere on the drive home to test? I will have to use data, maybe even link it to an ipad.

 

[starlite_]

I don't like this 24hr (or one day rule) for the rapid tests.

I will be driving from Kissimmee on Saturday March 19th early (5:00am ish). I usually drive through and make it to Ambassador bridge around 11:30pm....but would need a buffer if it takes longer. Since the RAT tests need to be take within 24 hours or 1 day, I guess I will have to pull over somewhere on the drive home to test? I will have to use data, maybe even link it to an ipad.

You can still use PCR (72 hrs) it's only that they added the possibility of antigen (24hrs).

 

[ellbell]

There are two scenarios that they will have to address with regard to cruising:

- testing for those whose cruise departs from/ends in Canada [timing, type of test(s), etc]; and
- testing for those whose cruise departs from outside Canada but has a port(s) in Canada [timing, type of test, etc]

SW

I don't think this is really an issue at the moment. He stated these measures were transitionary and barring another wave will probably be reduced even further. Cruising doesn't start again in Canada for over a month