How do take-along test kits impact your decision to travel?

[2Lunds]

For those of us who find testing to be a barrier to travel, I'm curious how much these kits alleviate that anxiety? For me, the potential quarantine abroad is really the bigger issue, but I'm interested to see others' opinions.

 

[Aug2020distrip]

Doesn’t change it for me because the testing itself is not my concern, it’s being stuck in the US for an additional 2 weeks if someone tests positive. All tests will give me that same stress so won’t be going yet haha really hope it’s lifted soon!!

 

[CaptainCook]

It doesn't change anything for me because we have BeeperMD booked. If we didn't have a free service that will come to the hotel, I think I'd appreciate having a low-to-average cost test kit in hand since it might alleviate some of the stress from appointments at pharmacies being randomly cancelled.

 

[Silvermist999]

Doesn’t change it for me because the testing itself is not my concern, it’s being stuck in the US for an additional 2 weeks if someone tests positive. All tests will give me that same stress so won’t be going yet haha really hope it’s lifted soon!!

same. We are booked to go in March, hopeful it’s lifted by then. The last thing I want is for one family member to test positive and then we all quarantine together for the additional 2 weeks, then another one of us subsequently tests positive, and so on and so on...we could be stuck down there forever...

 

[tlcdoula]

Can I tell you when we get home? Honestly the testing seems to be the biggest stress for me planning this entire trip.

We have ordered the self test to use and I have everything crossed that they work. I like the idea that I don't need to either rent a car or get a ride share to get the test. The results will be back quickly which is one reason why we decided to test at city hall and pay the extra for the test. I know that if I had to wait for the results I would be stressed out the entire time worrying they would be late etc. That would just ruin the trip for me and anyone who had to deal with me. I hope we hear back from some people who have used these tests to go and come home in the next week. We fly out in just over 2 weeks and I would love to hear of some first hand experiences.

 

[2Lunds]

Can I tell you when we get home? Honestly the testing seems to be the biggest stress for me planning this entire trip.

We have ordered the self test to use and I have everything crossed that they work. I like the idea that I don't need to either rent a car or get a ride share to get the test. The results will be back quickly which is one reason why we decided to test at city hall and pay the extra for the test. I know that if I had to wait for the results I would be stressed out the entire time worrying they would be late etc. That would just ruin the trip for me and anyone who had to deal with me. I hope we hear back from some people who have used these tests to go and come home in the next week. We fly out in just over 2 weeks and I would love to hear of some first hand experiences.

Yes! When they get back, we DEFINITELY need to hear from ppl who used them.

 

[Lorajo]

I think it reduced barrier to come home but I still don’t see an affordable dependable testing option to fly to US from NB for a family of 5

 

[Jo-Anne]

Free testing at Walgreens with results back within the hour is what we are going with - its not going to interrupt our vacation as we will do this on a day we had planned to just shop or laze by pool. As people mention - only stress is what to do if one of the three of us test positive (we are all adults). We talked that anyone testing negative would stick with the plan to fly back and anyone positive, we'll just find cheaper accommodation and test daily until we can come home. Fingers crossed it doesn't come to that!

 

[quandrea]

Free testing at Walgreens with results back within the hour is what we are going with - its not going to interrupt our vacation as we will do this on a day we had planned to just shop or laze by pool. As people mention - only stress is what to do if one of the three of us test positive (we are all adults). We talked that anyone testing negative would stick with the plan to fly back and anyone positive, we'll just find cheaper accommodation and test daily until we can come home. Fingers crossed it doesn't come to that!

I was thinking about that last night. Stick with the plan for as many people as possible, any positive people hang back.

 

[hdrolfe]

Free testing at Walgreens with results back within the hour is what we are going with - its not going to interrupt our vacation as we will do this on a day we had planned to just shop or laze by pool. As people mention - only stress is what to do if one of the three of us test positive (we are all adults). We talked that anyone testing negative would stick with the plan to fly back and anyone positive, we'll just find cheaper accommodation and test daily until we can come home. Fingers crossed it doesn't come to that!

This is essentially our plan, but we both stay since it is just me and kiddo. We test today, only been here a few days so I don't think we will test positive. We did get tested less than a week ago to fly here and are vaccinated.

I will admit I am getting tired of it all, I am glad Ontario is opening more, with plans to move back to normal. I hope testing requirements are gone by March. But I decided I am done with all the fear, we are vaccinated, if we catch it now we shouldn't be as sick, yes it would suck to be stuck here two weeks, but I can't live with all the worry any more.

 

[quandrea]

This is essentially our plan, but we both stay since it is just me and kiddo. We test today, only been here a few days so I don't think we will test positive. We did get tested less than a week ago to fly here and are vaccinated.

I will admit I am getting tired of it all, I am glad Ontario is opening more, with plans to move back to normal. I hope testing requirements are gone by March. But I decided I am done with all the fear, we are vaccinated, if we catch it now we shouldn't be as sick, yes it would suck to be stuck here two weeks, but I can't live with all the worry any more.

Exactly where I’m now.

 

[wdwmom3]

It doesn’t make a difference for us for wdw. But it would if we wanted to travel somewhere else where getting tested wasn’t as easy.

I just hope they scrap the testing requirement soon. I’m crossing my fingers they drop it once kids can get vaccinated.

 

[Gigi22]

I am considering a visit to family in Florida in early 2022. The intent is to be very careful during the trip, not socialize much, and wear masks. Yes, a take-along kit would be helpful.

 

[badiggio]

One less hoop to jump through,but still too many for us .

 

[mevelandry]

Other -

1) Not enough time to receive/take another test if this one fails... This would ruin our vacation.

2) Travelling with anxious seniors. I don't see them handling covid kits at home. Simply easier to get the tests done by professionals.

 

[valiamo]

Love the ease of taking it at home, and seeing results in 15 minutes. Already have my southbound tests on the way to us and we are hoping that the Northbound tests waitlist is not beyond the end of next week, else we are getting them for $150 per person in LA.

 

[thenicefamily]

UPDATE from personal experience (so far) with the Switch Health 'at-home' kits. We ordered 4 rapid antigen tests/2 kits (at a HUGE savings for us BC residents of $340!!!), plus 4 LAMP test kits.

All ordered tests arrived by courier the day after ordering.

The first in our group, who is flying to the states on Friday (we follow next Wednesday), just took her rapid antigen. The process was as efficient as the delivery. She opened the kit, prepared the items, logged in on her phone via a QR code scan and was connected with an online nurse within minutes. The nurse talked her through taking the test. We could see the results appearing within seconds (negative) but, they ask you to wait 15 minutes before taking a photo of the test strop, with your attached QR code, back to them. Photo was sent, reviewed and, within 2 minutes, a message with the certified negative result landed.

If the same service applies to the remaining rapid antigen and LAMP tests then, I'll be very, very, happy and relieved. I was SO not looking forward to tracking down tests (and waiting 24+ hours for results) in the US.

 

[tlcdoula]

UPDATE from personal experience (so far) with the Switch Health 'at-home' kits. We ordered 4 rapid antigen tests/2 kits (at a HUGE savings for us BC residents of $340!!!), plus 4 LAMP test kits.

All ordered tests arrived by courier the day after ordering.

The first in our group, who is flying to the states on Friday (we follow next Wednesday), just took her rapid antigen. The process was as efficient as the delivery. She opened the kit, prepared the items, logged in on her phone via a QR code scan and was connected with an online nurse within minutes. The nurse talked her through taking the test. We could see the results appearing within seconds (negative) but, they ask you to wait 15 minutes before taking a photo of the test strop, with your attached QR code, back to them. Photo was sent, reviewed and, within 2 minutes, a message with the certified negative result landed.

If the same service applies to the remaining rapid antigen and LAMP tests then, I'll be very, very, happy and relieved. I was SO not looking forward to tracking down tests (and waiting 24+ hours for results) in the US.

Thank you for updating. We will take our tests next Thursday. I’m hoping we can take the tests on our carry on. Wonder if there are any rules about that ?

 

[Chip#1]

Thank you for updating. We will take our tests next Thursday. I’m hoping we can take the tests on our carry on. Wonder if there are any rules about that ?

You'll be fine -- I have the Rapid Response tests that we take with us to test during our trips and have had them in my carryon the last 3 trips; the buffer is a small amount of liquid (along w all the swaps/testing cartridges etc). Security both on the Cdn and US side never said a word.

 

[calnmace]

Where do you get these Rapid Response tests? I’d love to have them!