US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country

[hrhdhd]

Yup. Leaving for Italy next week. Bought my tests this week. I waited as long as I could, but not quite long enough.

Use them to board.

 

[Buzzster]

We are boarding in Rome. Is Disney allowing early testing like in Barcelona? I had not seen that.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

Use them to board.

Yes, we’ll use them for our sailing in September, if still required, but our Italy trip is a land trip so no testing for this one.

 

[KashasMom]

It's always been ridiculous to have to test when flying but not when cruising, driving, or walking! And what a PITA when they changed it from 72 hours to day before! Hopefully, it's not long before they stop testing before cruises.

 

[lovingeire]

I'm so excited! Timing couldn't be better as we sail Monday on the Wonder! Now, to pass the pre-cruise testing tomorrow and we are in business!

 

[mousefan1972]

After two years of hand washing, mask wearing and not seeing family or friends. Well now at least we get a 90 day positive exemption. And we’re 4x vaccinated.

You didn’t see family or friends for 2 years? Was it worth it? SMH.

 

[DCLMP]

You didn’t see family or friends for 2 years? Was it worth it? SMH.

....and they got Covid anyway.

 

[Mango7100]

You didn’t see family or friends for 2 years? Was it worth it? SMH.

Maybe they or some family members are immunocompromised or have other high risk conditions. Maybe they have health anxiety. You don’t know. It may not have been the decision you made, but you don’t need to look down on their decision and make fun of them…

 

[AquaDame]

Lets not turn this thread into another covid argument please, no need to be rude to each other.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Not until some of the countries they visit (eg: Bahamas) also drop the requirement. Maybe on a regional basis they do...

my thoughts exactly don’t see cruises changing much till ports they visit change

 

[Karin1984]

So, how does this currently work on cruises on the Bahama routes for example. When you return to the US, do you get tested on board?

 

[mousefan73]

So, how does this currently work on cruises on the Bahama routes for example. When you return to the US, do you get tested on board?

I am confused by your question. The only testing for Bahama cruises from the US was the Cruise test you needed to get on the boat to start your cruise ( there was the unvaccinated kid, 5 day screening on board for a while- not sure if that is still there). There was no testing to enter the US from any cruises. The recent US immigration testing was only for international AIR traffic. You could cross the border via car in Canada and not have to test.

 

[lorenni]

I just fear that as more places do not require testing - testsfor cruising will be become a rare and expensive commodity. Up until now most testing sites and also telehealth was driven by air traffic demand. Cruising is still a small number compared. I am seriously worried about my future cruises. Stress of testing pre-cruise in time on my own or paying a fortune at port and that stress.

This would be my worry as well. Right now, I can book an asymptomatic observed RAT at my local pharmacy - specifically for travel, but if the only people getting those tests are folks going on a cruise, then it's only a matter of time before the pharmacy phases out that service due to lack of demand.

Where I live we can also order at home observed tests from Switch health. I think I'll go buy those now, for our cruise in August. They cost about $80 for a two pack, which is about the same as the pharmacy test service.

 

[lorenni]

Here is the link to the US Dept of State website, in case anyone wants to confirm the various news articles: https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...ou-go/covid-19_testing_required_US_Entry.html

 

[mmouse37]

This would be my worry as well. Right now, I can book an asymptomatic observed RAT at my local pharmacy - specifically for travel, but if the only people getting those tests are folks going on a cruise, then it's only a matter of time before the pharmacy phases out that service due to lack of demand.

Where I live we can also order at home observed tests from Switch health. I think I'll go buy those now, for our cruise in August. They cost about $80 for a two pack, which is about the same as the pharmacy test service.

I just checked with CVS for an appointment for an upcoming cruise and when I filled out the questionnaire online and answered that I did not have symptoms or was exposed I got a message that I did NOT qualify for a free covid test. Maybe they are not doing free tests for travel now? Don't know but going to check Walgreen's.

I do have a back up plan. I bought these at Vault Health, $20 for a proctored test.

https://shop.vaulthealth.com/products/acon-flowflex-supervised

I have used them before for a monitored PCR test back in January...that test cost $100!


MJ

 

[Jonfw2]

I am currently out of the country and was facing $200 of tests for three people. So this is GREAT news.

 

[4Coombs]

So glad I bought the $150 6-pack of e-med. grrrrrrrr

Did the same thing... even googled to see if there was any news about removing the requirement. Did it 2 days too early.

 

[blondie511]

 

[blondie511]

View attachment 675494

i was hoping they would drop the pre cruise testing, but this article suggests the cruise lines probably won’t drop that until spring 2023.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Good news .. happy for those with international flights! Today would have been the start of our Greek isles cruise, but we bailed 6 mths ago due to the testing regs then...to get to Italy, get on ship, and to get home. Oh well...at least our alternate plans start next week--vero beach, western Fantasy, bay lake tower, and boardwalk.

Hoping to do a Norway cruise next summer... hopefully testing will completely be a thing of the past by then.

Well yes!!!! My 3X cancelled Italy/Greece trip may actually happen in 2023!! And with the anticipation of cruise testing being dropped in the spring of next year, we may be on our way-finally!!! I may allow myself to get excited!!