Traveling to the US after a positive test

[accm]

The other thread is closed, but my son just tested positive on a rapid test at home, and we were supposed to fly out on Sunday. So I’m trying to figure out our options. We’re getting additional tests to check the rest of us.

In Ontario, we need to isolate for 5 days from onset of symptoms or a positive test, whichever came first. So presuming our tests today come back positive, our options would be:

1) get a documented test, and a doctors note saying we’re ok to fly after the 5 days - I don’t know how hard that is to get
2) isolate at home for a 5 days, then drive across the border where we won’t need a test. We’ll still do a PCR test before leaving so we have the documented positive for coming back.

Is there anything I’m missing? Has anyone in Ontario had any luck getting a doctor to give them a note clearing them for travel?

 

[wdwmom3]

The other thread is closed, but my son just tested positive on a rapid test at home, and we were supposed to fly out on Sunday. So I’m trying to figure out our options. We’re getting additional tests to check the rest of us.

In Ontario, we need to isolate for 5 days from onset of symptoms or a positive test, whichever came first. So presuming our tests today come back positive, our options would be:

1) get a documented test, and a doctors note saying we’re ok to fly after the 5 days - I don’t know how hard that is to get
2) isolate at home for a 5 days, then drive across the border where we won’t need a test. We’ll still do a PCR test before leaving so we have the documented positive for coming back.

Is there anything I’m missing? Has anyone in Ontario had any luck getting a doctor to give them a note clearing them for travel?

I would check the requirements for travelling into the US. You won’t need a test to cross by land but they may ask about covid. So you could get refused entry if you don’t meet their rules.

I don’t think any doctor will give you a note saying they are recovered after 5 days.

If I were you I would delay your trip.

 

[accm]

I would check the requirements for travelling into the US. You won’t need a test to cross by land but they may ask about covid. So you could get refused entry if you don’t meet their rules.

I don’t think any doctor will give you a note saying they are recovered after 5 days.

If I were you I would delay your trip.

I have checked their rules, and it just says that if you have a positive test you need a note from a doctor saying you’ve recovered and can go back to work/school.

we are delaying our trip, but at this point, I see no need to delay it further than the required quarantine period.

 

[accm]

This is what the CDC says:

"If you have had a positive viral test on a sample taken during the past 90 days, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with your positive viral test results and a signed letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as “documentation of recovery.”

A letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that clears you to end isolation, e.g., to return to work or school, can be used to show you are cleared to travel, even if travel isn’t specifically mentioned in the letter. The letter must have information that identifies you personally (e.g., name and date of birth) that matches the personal identifiers on your passport or other travel documents. The letter must be signed and dated on official letterhead that contains the name, address, and phone number of the healthcare provider or public health official who signed the letter."

So I'm wondering if anyone in Ontario has been able to get a letter like that either from a public health official or a healthcare provider.

 

[Etch]

Sorry to hear this and I hope he's feeling okay. Must be super stressful for you.

In Ontario, we need to isolate for 5 days from onset of symptoms or a positive test, whichever came first.

This is correct, however the day you test positive (when asymptomatic) is considered Day 0. The five day isolation period would be from Thursday to Monday at midnight. So the first day out of isolation is Tuesday.

Some people on this forum have reported obtaining doctors notes verifying recovery but all the ones I've read have been for recoveries from a while ago. It may be a lot tougher on your short timeline.

Good luck!

 

[Average Joes]

Sorry to hear this. As Etch notes that doctor note may not even be possible in Canada before you leave. I would expect few doctor's would provide such an opinion close to the 5 days. Let's say you can book a PCR test as early as tomorrow. That is what the doctor is probably going to rely on to make his/her opinion which is within the 5 days. You probably need a Florida physician's opinion (if that is acceptable).

As long as you have the older test result would the land border really fine you when driving back because you did not have the medical portion of that exception? Seems technically possible I suppose.

When one member in my family got Omicron we all did.

 

[accm]

Thank you. He’s feeling ok thankfully.
Yes, I know that the first day is considered day zero, so we’d be looking at lateish next week.


We have our switch health tests at home already, so getting the result wouldn’t be an issue. I think the easiest option would be to just drive across the border once we’re all out of isolation

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

I would agree, the easiest would be to drive. Based on my experience I can confirm that they don't ask any health questions other than are you vaccinated. The need for the positive test result and the doctors letter are to be exempt for the rapid antigen test required to fly, but I agree getting the doctors letter would be difficult in your short time line. Depending on how last minute you want to be, you could test him again on Sunday, if he is testing negative by then you could get the rapid antigen required to fly to the States and you will be able to use your Positive PCR to exempt from the return testing requirements as long as when you are returning is on the 11th day or longer after the test.

 

[accm]

I would agree, the easiest would be to drive. Based on my experience I can confirm that they don't ask any health questions other than are you vaccinated. The need for the positive test result and the doctors letter are to be exempt for the rapid antigen test required to fly, but I agree getting the doctors letter would be difficult in your short time line. Depending on how last minute you want to be, you could test him again on Sunday, if he is testing negative by then you could get the rapid antigen required to fly to the States and you will be able to use your Positive PCR to exempt from the return testing requirements as long as when you are returning is on the 11th day or longer after the test.

We managed to get more tests and my other son and I have also tested positive. So I think at this point we’ll book flights out of Detroit for late next week, when everyone will be well out of the isolation period.

 

[CanucksRock]

You need a positive molecular test as proof for return to Canada. Rapid not accepted. In Alberta, I know people that got letters 10 days after positive with no issue/no charge (from doctor) (they tested positive 2 weeks before travel)

 

[accm]

You need a positive molecular test as proof for return to Canada. Rapid not accepted. In Alberta, I know people that got letters 10 days after positive with no issue/no charge (from doctor) (they tested positive 2 weeks before travel)

We have the RT-LAMP tests from switch health, which is acceptable to come back, so we’re good there. The issue is more getting into the US. I might try to call around tomorrow to see what the requirements are for getting a note like that, and then make our final decision.

 

[CanucksRock]

We have the RT-LAMP tests from switch health, which is acceptable to come back, so we’re good there. The issue is more getting into the US. I might try to call around tomorrow to see what the requirements are for getting a note like that, and then make our final decision.

Were you planning to take them now? You can test positive for up to 90 days on a PCR, so I would not recommend waiting until your return, as it may not come up negative then, and you would have to stay in the US an additional 11 days from positive test.

 

[ellbell]

We have the RT-LAMP tests from switch health, which is acceptable to come back, so we’re good there. The issue is more getting into the US. I might try to call around tomorrow to see what the requirements are for getting a note like that, and then make our final decision.

You could test positive for months. That is why Canada accepts positive test 14 to 90s after the test results. If you take the tests on your way back and are still testing positive you will have to wait 11 days after your positive result to come back

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

I think she was saying she was going to do the lamp tests now so she would be able use the positive when she returns. Good that you had those on hand!

 

[MotherKnowsBest]

I did see some travel clinics that will write you a note for a fee. Like this place https://www.uwtravelclinic.ca/contact.html

 

[accm]

I think she was saying she was going to do the lamp tests now so she would be able use the positive when she returns. Good that you had those on hand!

Yes, this. I'm not concerned about the test to come back, since I'm planning on now doing the lamp test before we even leave.
We'll call around tomorrow to see if anyone local will write us a note, and if so, after how many days. And if not, we can always just drive to Detroit.

Thankfully everyone is feeling OK, so we're lucky that the biggest "concern" right now is how we're going to need to modify our trip.

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

I have recently been really paranoid about getting covid before we leave in Feb 10 but you are helping me to realize it’s not that big of a deal hopefully as long as we are all fairly well, just have to push back a week. I can rebook Disney a week later and can always easily change my Southwest flights.

 

[CanucksRock]

I'll post back experience on Saturday w/ flying after positive test and update the FAQ. (Not me... friends that are flying at same time that tested positive 2 weeks ago. They all got a letter from Physician and copy of their PCR results)

 

[accm]

I'll post back experience on Saturday w/ flying after positive test and update the FAQ. (Not me... friends that are flying at same time that tested positive 2 weeks ago. They all got a letter from Physician and copy of their PCR results)

Thank you. We called a couple of walk in clinics around us and were told that if we go in after the 5 day isolation period they will write us a note for $20. So we'll all be taking our tests today and then going next week.
I'll also report back with our experiences.

 

[chimo2u]

Thank you. We called a couple of walk in clinics around us and were told that if we go in after the 5 day isolation period they will write us a note for $20. So we'll all be taking our tests today and then going next week.
I'll also report back with our experiences.

I'm beginning to worry seeing how very easy it is to test positive for covid! My son just tested positive in Ontario, was supposed to fly home to Alberta Jan 7, but tested positive Jan 5 after being told he may have been exposed.... YEP it came back positive! He had to stay an additional 10 days in Toronto and just got back home last week. So.... if this happens with 4 of us trying to fly to the USA for our trip, in October, we are going to be out a lot of money (around 30K) because travel insurance sees Covid as a known event and not something you can cancel over!