Another COVID testing question

[perchy]

He'll be fine in that there is a very, very slim chance that 4 months post infection he'll still test positive with a lingering case of COVID that a PCR test will pick up.

Thank you.

 

[Freeman867]

So to repeat what I think I'm reading, if my husband gets a PCR now and tests positive, but then has a note from a doctor certifying he is fully recovered and clearly for travel, he'd skip testing at the port in April?

But if he gets a PCR now and tests negative, he'd still have to test at the port?

This is so confusing. I really hate COVID and can't wait until it's gone for good.

You have a few ways this could go. First step is get him tested. If he's negative, you don't have the positive PCR test to get an exemption, so that's a no go.

If he's positive, you have to convince your doctor that he deserves a 90 day recovery document for a trip that's occurring 120 or so days after you know he was infected. I'm not positive how a doctor would handle that situation, but it's far from a given he'd feel comfortable writing the letter that would get him out of testing at the port in April.

If you can't get the letter, he'll have to test at the port. I'd get him tested again past the 90 day mark but at least 2 weeks prior to your cruise to verify he's not coming up positive still. If he is, that's another conversation with the doctor to retry getting that letter.

 

[DisneyMusicMan]

Reading through this thread, I have to say we’re in a similar situation. We’re cruising Feb 19, and we believe we got COVID over the holidays. Here’s what we did, and what we’re going to do in the coming weeks.

We had two sets of families visiting from out of town. 18 of us spent almost every day together, we did a cruise, we went to Disneyland, out to dinners, etc.All of us developed symptoms. Only half tested positive on Rapid Antigen tests and subsequently on PVR tests. None of my immediate family (including me) tested positive on the Antigen tests.

So we scheduled a PCR tests, but over the holidays, availability was slim. We got them done last Wednesday, with the hopes of some positive results to warrant the 90-day exception. No luck…all four of us were negative. (What a strange feeling…”hoping” for a positive to get “credit” for having COVID).

So, there are only two possible scenarios. We got COVID, but after two-three weeks we had no remnants of the virus for a PCR test to pick up. Or, we never got it. I’m pretty sure it’s the former, given the symptoms and the exposures.

So, moving forward…if we got it over the holidays, being fully vaxxed, boosted,it’s unlikely that we get it again, so the PCR at the port should be negative. We’ll test again two weeks prior to sailing (PCR). If positive, we get the 90-day exemption path. If negative, we’ll test again prior to leaving for FL.

If we happen to test positive at the port, oh well. It could happen. All we can do is be as aware as we can before arriving there to minimize any surprises or false positives. Can’t control anything else.

 

[JimJoonie]

To get an "exemption" you have to have tested positive (with official documentation showing the positive test - i.e. not an at-home test) AND have a note from a doctor certifying that you are "fully recovered" and "cleared for domestic and international travel." Your positive test has to have occurred within 90-days of your cruise (but cannot be 12 or less days from the cruise as that is too soon to have fully recovered). So, if you tested positive 95 days from your cruise, you would not qualify.

Hi. I'm wondering where the 12 day rule came from? Does this mean that the letter wouldn't be enough if I tested positive within 12 days of the cruise? According to the CDC, I thought we needed to isolate/quarantine/where a mask for 10 days (as long as you are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated), but after that you should no longer be contagious. Am I misinformed?

 

[Freeman867]

Hi. I'm wondering where the 12 day rule came from? Does this mean that the letter wouldn't be enough if I tested positive within 12 days of the cruise? According to the CDC, I thought we needed to isolate/quarantine/where a mask for 10 days (as long as you are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated), but after that you should no longer be contagious. Am I misinformed?

I had this very question and called Safe Passage. They said your test date (not the day you get the results) must be 11 to 90 days before your cruise. Since the testing day is day 0, that allows the 10 days to pass before your cruise.

 

[dreynolds1982]

I had this very question and called Safe Passage. They said your test date (not the day you get the results) must be 11 to 90 days before your cruise. Since the testing day is day 0, that allows the 10 days to pass before your cruise.

Also keep in mind you still need a doc note saying your fully recovered. So if you test positive 11 days out, you're cutting it close bc a doc isn't going to give you the all clear until your 10 days past infection AND symptom free, most likely.

 

[BAIC03]

So to repeat what I think I'm reading, if my husband gets a PCR now and tests positive, but then has a note from a doctor certifying he is fully recovered and clearly for travel, he'd skip testing at the port in April?

But if he gets a PCR now and tests negative, he'd still have to test at the port?

This is so confusing. I really hate COVID and can't wait until it's gone for good.

You’ve got it!

 

[Freeman867]

Also keep in mind you still need a doc note saying your fully recovered. So if you test positive 11 days out, you're cutting it close bc a doc isn't going to give you the all clear until your 10 days past infection AND symptom free, most likely.

It is cutting it close, for sure. I've heard of doctors going by the newest CDC guidelines of 5 days for an asymptomatic, fully vaccinated/boosted person and giving a letter then as well. Not sure how Safe Passage feels about that, but they don't call out the letter needs to be written 10 days after the test. Here's what Safe Passage is saying to include on a letter:

1. A copy of your previous positive COVID-19 test result which is greater than 11 days and less than 90 days from your expected sail date.
2. A signed letter (on official letterhead that shows the name, address, and phone number of a licensed healthcare provider or public health official) stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are clear for travel.
3. Vaccinated guests must also upload proof of vaccination in addition to their 90-Day-Recovered documentation.

 

[druppert]

Hi everyone! New to the forum with a dilemma. We are set to cruise on the Dream on 1/31 with an 8 month old & we just learned that we spent the weekend with my cousin & her husband who have both now tested positive for Covid. Although we are vaxed & boosted I’m thinking we have at least a reasonable chance of a positive test in the coming days. That in mind we are struggling to decide whether we should call to cancel the cruise & plan a road trip to the mountains instead. Has anyone had any experience cancelling when they booked through a travel agent? The TA has been a nightmare to deal with so I would like to make plans asap.

 

[Freeman867]

Hi everyone! New to the forum with a dilemma. We are set to cruise on the Dream on 1/31 with an 8 month old & we just learned that we spent the weekend with my cousin & her husband who have both now tested positive for Covid. Although we are vaxed & boosted I’m thinking we have at least a reasonable chance of a positive test in the coming days. That in mind we are struggling to decide whether we should call to cancel the cruise & plan a road trip to the mountains instead. Has anyone had any experience cancelling when they booked through a travel agent? The TA has been a nightmare to deal with so I would like to make plans asap.

If you had close contact for over 15 minutes unmasked, it's a pretty percentage you'll test positive. I'd definitely push the cruise back if I were you as the risk is far too great you'll test positive at the port.

I don't know if you can personally call Disney and make the changes or if it needs to the TA who initially booked the reservation. But you won't get any pushback from DCL to cancel it, just long phone holds.

 

[JimJoonie]

Reading through this thread, I have to say we’re in a similar situation. We’re cruising Feb 19, and we believe we got COVID over the holidays. Here’s what we did, and what we’re going to do in the coming weeks.

Yay! We are on the same cruise.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Hi everyone! New to the forum with a dilemma. We are set to cruise on the Dream on 1/31 with an 8 month old & we just learned that we spent the weekend with my cousin & her husband who have both now tested positive for Covid. Although we are vaxed & boosted I’m thinking we have at least a reasonable chance of a positive test in the coming days. That in mind we are struggling to decide whether we should call to cancel the cruise & plan a road trip to the mountains instead. Has anyone had any experience cancelling when they booked through a travel agent? The TA has been a nightmare to deal with so I would like to make plans asap.

Go have a PCR test done at your doctor office, if it's negative you should be ok.

If positive, can you reschedule the cruise by a few weeks? If so might be good GTY rates right now and you can get the doctors to do you a note (maybe after another week and he can confirm you are recovered) and as long as the cruise isn't beyond the 90days you would be good to go.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I’m an OCD travel planner extremist. I agree and plan to PCR test but I’m going to do it 14 days before so I can get the test again if it comes back inconclusive on day 12.
My safety plan has a safety plan so I can show any unknown undiagnosed Covid and get my recovered letter with enough time to still sail.

 

[GTRARNP]

It is cutting it close, for sure. I've heard of doctors going by the newest CDC guidelines of 5 days for an asymptomatic, fully vaccinated/boosted person and giving a letter then as well. Not sure how Safe Passage feels about that, but they don't call out the letter needs to be written 10 days after the test. Here's what Safe Passage is saying to include on a letter:

1. A copy of your previous positive COVID-19 test result which is greater than 11 days and less than 90 days from your expected sail date.
2. A signed letter (on official letterhead that shows the name, address, and phone number of a licensed healthcare provider or public health official) stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days and are clear for travel.
3. Vaccinated guests must also upload proof of vaccination in addition to their 90-Day-Recovered documentation.

Thank you for this info!! I tested positive 12/29 and we are sailing 3/17, so 80 days-ish from testing positive. I just sent my doctor a message asking for a note. This is super helpful. Thank you!!

 

[mmouse37]

The note can be any time after you are recovered. I was so worried our doctor would not write a note for my husband who had Covid over the holidays. He tested positive on 12/31 with an at home test and finally was able to get him a PCR test on 1/08 and got results on 1/11. Our cruise was 1/22. He went to the Dr. on 1/18 and as soon as he got home from the doctor I uploaded his positive pcr test results and the doctor note to Safe Passage. This was at noon and by 8pm I received an email that his was cleared to have testing waived at the port under the 90 day recovered claim. I was so relieved as he kept testing positive and I was sure he would be one of those 1 to 30% of people who keep testing positive after they are recovered. He had no symptoms at all.

There is a whole thread on here that I have been positing info on about the 90 day recovered option. Here is the link:

(1) 90 day recovery status? | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com


We just got back from our 1/22 Disney Magic cruise out of Miami and I posted our experience at the port with the 90 day recovered option.

You definitely need a positive test result AND a doctor's note. I spoke with the receptionist when making his appointment and explained he had it, was recovered and I wanted him to come in to be examined and cleared by the doctor. She said sure that would be no problem. I sent my husband to the appointment with exactly what had to be in the note (posted that in the thread link).

Good luck. It was such a relief to have my husband not have to be tested at the port. One less thing to worry about.

MJ

 

[perchy]

I’m an OCD travel planner extremist. I agree and plan to PCR test but I’m going to do it 14 days before so I can get the test again if it comes back inconclusive on day 12.
My safety plan has a safety plan.

so if you test 14 days out and get a negative result 12 days out, do you still have to test at the port?

 

[lanejudy]

so if you test 14 days out and get a negative result 12 days out, do you still have to test at the port?

Yes. Everybody has to test at embarkation unless you have a 90-day recovery exemption.