UK-US travel, 2021/2022

[jockdog]

That would be fantastic. Just the stress of making sure the AZ vaccine will be accepted, that we can get the correct COVID tests done, that the paperwork is correct. But first-world problems.

 

[mamamia2005]

I think its already been confirmed that as AZ is a WHO approved vaccine, the CDC say its ok.

The tests (and associated costs) are worrying me a bit. And honestly think they are a bit pointless.
We fly on a Sunday so can do our tests at any point from Thursday. We won't be able to isolate on the Friday as we are still at work / school, and who knows where we'll be the day before we fly. Therefore we could have easily picked up covid but our Thursday test would still show negative.

 

[BadPinkTink]

The tests (and associated costs) are worrying me a bit. And honestly think they are a bit pointless.
We fly on a Sunday so can do our tests at any point from Thursday. We won't be able to isolate on the Friday as we are still at work / school, and who knows where we'll be the day before we fly. Therefore we could have easily picked up covid but our Thursday test would still show negative.

I know I am in a very privileged position. I work from home and my plan for the 14 days before my trip is to not leave my house. I fly on a Sunday and will get the test on the Thursday. The only people I plan to interact with in the 14 days before my trip is my mom, who I live with, the Tesco delivery person and the Boots employee who will do my test.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

My daughter works in a boarding school. Term ends on the Saturday, we fly on the Monday. My son works in the City, again working on the Friday. I will be keeping everything crossed. Would I travel without them? Hmmmm

 

[jockdog]

It''s all a bit weird. I plan to use Lloyds Pharmacy to get my Fit to Fly certificate. I don't suppose anyone has used them?

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

It''s all a bit weird. I plan to use Lloyds Pharmacy to get my Fit to Fly certificate. I don't suppose anyone has used them?

Has it been announced exactly what we will need yet?

 

[jockdog]

I'm going by what info. is currently available, which obviously could change. That is a lateral flow or PCR test 3 days before flying. We will need some form of proof of vaccination, but don't know what form that will take.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Has it been announced exactly what we will need yet?

You will also need to fill out a Covid Attestation form. Depending on your route / airline you can either do it through the airline website or you will have to print out a hard copy. You will notified by your airline when you get the online check in email.

CDC Website Updated September 16 2021
Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested 3 days before travel by air into the United States (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.


CDC Website Updated July 6 2021
Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

Why does the Order specify 3 days rather than 72 hours? What is considered 3 days?
The 3-day period is the 3 days before the flight’s departure. The Order uses a 3-day timeframe instead of 72 hours to provide more flexibility to the traveler. By using a 3-day window, test validity does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test was administered.

For example, if a passenger’s flight is at 1pm on a Friday, the passenger could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Tuesday or after.

What types of SARS-CoV-2 test are acceptable under the Order?
Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered. A viral test conducted for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) personnel, including DOD contractors, dependents, and other U.S. government employees, and tested by a DOD laboratory located in a foreign country also meets the requirements of the Order.

Can I get a rapid test?
Rapid tests are acceptable as long as they are a viral test acceptable under the Order.

Does a self-test meet the conditions of the Order?
International air passengers traveling to the United States can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:

• The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription.
• The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order (see “What information must be included in the test result?” below).
• Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to review and confirm the person’s identity and the test result details. The passenger must also be able to present the documentation of test results to U.S. officials at the port of entry and local/state health departments, if requested.

For travelers who test positive, CDC recommends the telehealth provider report positive test results to relevant public health authorities in the traveler’s location following local requirements. The telehealth provider should also counsel the traveler on what they and their close contacts should do. This would include not traveling until they complete isolation (if infected) or quarantine (if exposed), in accordance with local requirements.

Some countries may restrict importation of tests that are not authorized or registered there. Travelers who are considering bringing a U.S.-authorized test with them for use outside of the United States should contact authorities at their destination for information before they travel.

What information must be included on the test result?
A test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy). The documentation must include:

1. Type of test (indicating it is a NAAT or antigen test)
2. Entity issuing the result (e.g. laboratory, healthcare entity, or telehealth service)
3. Specimen collection date. A negative test result must show the specimen was collected within the 3 days before the flight. A positive test result for documentation of recovery from COVID-19 must show the specimen was collected within the 3 months before the flight.
4. Information that identifies the person (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number)
5. Test Result

 

[scottishgirl1]

Has it been announced exactly what we will need yet?

No details yet, I am in Ireland and hoping to use Boots as well, I think they take bookings 28 days out so hopefully know more by then! I will be able to isolate but DS and DD are at uni and will be spending the week before testing either in exam halls or at home. Uni hasnt announced yet whether exams will be held in normal way or online again.

We fly a Tuesday so will try to test on Saturday, which is the last weekend before Xmas so not a great time to be trying to arrrange tests for travel

I just hope they dont start messing with boosters in terms of fully vaccinated. My timing is not great for that as I will be just over 6 months vaccinated at time of travel and am over 50 so unsure if they will end up rolling out to my age by that time. It would seem like a complete nightmare though if boosters were part of being fully vaccinated but I cant help worrying!!

 

[mamamia2005]

I do wonder if the UK is ready for this increase in monitored tests that will be required - either by going to an approved testing facility ( I don't mean the ones where you go for a PCR if you have a positive LF) , or by videoing you doing them yourself at home.

 

[SirDuff]

You will also need to fill out a Covid Attestation form. Depending on your route / airline you can either do it through the airline website or you will have to print out a hard copy. You will notified by your airline when you get the online check in email.

CDC Website Updated September 16 2021
Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested 3 days before travel by air into the United States (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.


CDC Website Updated July 6 2021
Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

Why does the Order specify 3 days rather than 72 hours? What is considered 3 days?
The 3-day period is the 3 days before the flight’s departure. The Order uses a 3-day timeframe instead of 72 hours to provide more flexibility to the traveler. By using a 3-day window, test validity does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test was administered.

For example, if a passenger’s flight is at 1pm on a Friday, the passenger could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Tuesday or after.

What types of SARS-CoV-2 test are acceptable under the Order?
Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered. A viral test conducted for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) personnel, including DOD contractors, dependents, and other U.S. government employees, and tested by a DOD laboratory located in a foreign country also meets the requirements of the Order.

Can I get a rapid test?
Rapid tests are acceptable as long as they are a viral test acceptable under the Order.

Does a self-test meet the conditions of the Order?
International air passengers traveling to the United States can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:

• The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription.
• The telehealth provider must confirm the person’s identity, observe the specimen collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order (see “What information must be included in the test result?” below).
• Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to review and confirm the person’s identity and the test result details. The passenger must also be able to present the documentation of test results to U.S. officials at the port of entry and local/state health departments, if requested.

For travelers who test positive, CDC recommends the telehealth provider report positive test results to relevant public health authorities in the traveler’s location following local requirements. The telehealth provider should also counsel the traveler on what they and their close contacts should do. This would include not traveling until they complete isolation (if infected) or quarantine (if exposed), in accordance with local requirements.

Some countries may restrict importation of tests that are not authorized or registered there. Travelers who are considering bringing a U.S.-authorized test with them for use outside of the United States should contact authorities at their destination for information before they travel.

What information must be included on the test result?
A test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy). The documentation must include:

1. Type of test (indicating it is a NAAT or antigen test)
2. Entity issuing the result (e.g. laboratory, healthcare entity, or telehealth service)
3. Specimen collection date. A negative test result must show the specimen was collected within the 3 days before the flight. A positive test result for documentation of recovery from COVID-19 must show the specimen was collected within the 3 months before the flight.
4. Information that identifies the person (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number)
5. Test Result

We know that that is going to change (it doesn’t mention proof of vaccination, for example), so posting it doesn’t really mean that much.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

BA altering my Dec flight times today is not amusing. New times are fine, but seeing the e mail alert made my heart sink for a second.

 

[BadPinkTink]

BA altering my Dec flight times today is not amusing. New times are fine, but seeing the e mail alert made my heart sink for a second.

Nope, not amusing at all. As much as I cant wait to get back to USA, I don't think I could deal with the stress of the travel ban being lifted so close to my flights.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Maybe it’s a good sign? The flight takes off 25 minutes earlier but lands at the same time LHR to MCO and on the return leaves at the same time but arrives 10 minutes earlier. Perhaps they are reconfirming slots, aeroplanes etc. Ever the optimist.

 

[itf]

Virgin have made both of my flights for next summer significantly worse time wise - arrive in Orlando later, and leave earlier. But I guess I should be grateful to be going.

 

[bavarian princess]

BA altering my Dec flight times today is not amusing. New times are fine, but seeing the e mail alert made my heart sink for a second.

I just got the same email for my December flights LHR-Orlando-LHR. At least that’s better than their last email when they told me my flights have been canceled ever the optimist

 

[itf]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1445790234256371721

 

[mamamia2005]

I wonder if the issues are to do with children and vaccinations for age 12+

At least Jon Sopel is keeping folks semi informed

 

[TropicalDIS]

I wonder if the issues are to do with children and vaccinations for age 12+

At least Jon Sopel is keeping folks semi informed

I'd imagine a big part of it is mixed vaccines.

 

[Plague]

BA altering my Dec flight times today is not amusing. New times are fine, but seeing the e mail alert made my heart sink for a second.

VA did that a couple of years back. I had to 'spot-the-difference' because it transpired it was a change of 5 mins. Seriously bonkers.