Can you transit through European countries?

[frodolives 7]

Hello everyone, I apologize if this isn’t the correct forum to post in.  I’m wondering if Americans are still permitted to transit through various airports throughout Europe. One of the flights has a brief stop in Germany, and the other has a layover in the Netherlands. Is this still permitted or is that banned due to covid as well? I’ll be traveling to a non Schengen country that is permitting American tourists. Any advice? Thanks!

[Teddy Guli 1]

I returned back to US via Paris so did my cousin via London. I do not believe it will be problem as long as you do not go outside the airport. Both are US citizens.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, frodolives said:

I’ll be traveling to a non Schengen country that is permitting American tourists.

When is the flight? If on or after Tuesday, then you'll need "proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19" before leaving that country. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/global-airline-testing-order_2021-01-2_R3-signed-encrypted-p.pdf

Quote

if the passenger is arriving via one or more connecting flights, the specimen was collected within the 3 calendar days preceding the departure of the initial flight but only if

a. the connecting flights were booked as a single passenger record with a destination in the United States,

b. each connection is no longer than 24 hours, and

c. the airline or aircraft operator has instructed the passenger to comply—and uses reasonable efforts to facilitate compliance—with the safety protocols set forth in Runway to Recovery 1.1, December 21, 2020, available at https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/runway-recovery-11, during such connection(s);

 

21 minutes ago, Teddy Guli said:

Both are US citizens.

There is new Covid test requirement starting on January 26.

Edited January 21, 2021 by HRQX

[frodolives 7]

24 minutes ago, HRQX said:

When is the flight? If on or after Tuesday, then you'll need "proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19" before leaving that country. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/global-airline-testing-order_2021-01-2_R3-signed-encrypted-p.pdf

 

There is new Covid test requirement starting on January 26.

The country I’m visiting requires a negative covid test result as well. Can I show them the same test when I transit?

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, frodolives said:

The country I’m visiting requires a negative covid test result as well. Can I show them the same test when I transit?

How long would your trip abroad be? Looks like you'll need another test to come back: "Negative Pre-departure Test Result for COVID-19 or negative Qualifying Test result means documentation of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 3 calendar days preceding a flight's departure."

[frodolives 7]

1 hour ago, HRQX said:

How long would your trip abroad be? Looks like you'll need another test to come back: "Negative Pre-departure Test Result for COVID-19 or negative Qualifying Test result means documentation of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 3 calendar days preceding a flight's departure."

Staying with my fiancé for 60 days. I can always get a test there. It’s not an issue. I just want to make sure I have all the documentation I need to get through. 
 

also, I am not sure I understand the 72 hour before departure rule. How can you take a test, get the results, and then hop on a flight all within just three days? Doesn’t the test itself take multiple days before you receive any results?

Edited January 21, 2021 by frodolives

[Teddy Guli 1]

I had my PCR Covid test done 72 hours prior to boarding the flight but no one asked for it in Paris nor Boston. 

[HRQX 4,145]

5 hours ago, Teddy Guli said:

but no one asked for it in Paris

For US-bound flights enforcement will begin on January 26. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html

This Order will be effective on January 26, 2021

[frodolives 7]

51 minutes ago, HRQX said:

For US-bound flights enforcement will begin on January 26. https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html

This Order will be effective on January 26, 2021

Thank you for sharing this information. But just to be clear, does that mean the result has to have been issued within 72 hours, or does everything need to be done within 72 hours? That’s what is unclear to me. 

[HRQX 4,145]

17 minutes ago, frodolives said:

does that mean the result has to have been issued within 72 hours, or does everything need to be done within 72 hours?

Everything needs to be done within the 72 hours.

[frodolives 7]

7 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Everything needs to be done within the 72 hours.

Is that possible? Cause I thought the covid test takes more than that just to get the result 

[HRQX 4,145]

2 minutes ago, frodolives said:

Is that possible? Cause I thought the covid test takes more than that just to get the result 

There's different types of tests. There are definitely tests out there where you can receive the results within 1.5 day.

[frodolives 7]

4 minutes ago, HRQX said:

There's different types of tests. There are definitely tests out there where you can receive the results within 1.5 day.

I just called a testing center and they told me it takes 3-5 days just to get the results, which means there’s no way I can travel and make that 72 hour deadline. This is all such a mess. 

[HRQX 4,145]

21 minutes ago, frodolives said:

I just called a testing center and they told me it takes 3-5 days just to get the results, which means there’s no way I can travel and make that 72 hour deadline. This is all such a mess. 

I don't know about the testing centers in the country you'll visit, but in the US fast tests tend to be expensive but are available: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/where-to-get-covid-test-travel/

if you’re looking for a faster way to get a PCR test, it’ll cost you.

Some rapid PCR testing options include:

• Complete Health Partners in Nashville, Tennessee. Results in 30 to 45 minutes. Cost: $250, not billed to insurance.
• Urgent Medical Care and MRI in Jersey City, New Jersey. Results in an hour or less. Cost: $250 out of pocket, not billed to insurance.
• Elite Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Results normally in 24 hours, but wait time can be longer due to higher than normal volume. Cost: $350
• Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City, New York. Same-day results. Cost: $225 for the test, which doesn’t include doctor consultation.

 

 

 

In the SF Bay Area (where I live) the fast tests cost around $100 to $200.

[frodolives 7]

33 minutes ago, HRQX said:

I don't know about the testing centers in the country you'll visit, but in the US fast tests tend to be expensive but are available: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/where-to-get-covid-test-travel/

if you’re looking for a faster way to get a PCR test, it’ll cost you.

Some rapid PCR testing options include:

• Complete Health Partners in Nashville, Tennessee. Results in 30 to 45 minutes. Cost: $250, not billed to insurance.
• Urgent Medical Care and MRI in Jersey City, New Jersey. Results in an hour or less. Cost: $250 out of pocket, not billed to insurance.
• Elite Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Results normally in 24 hours, but wait time can be longer due to higher than normal volume. Cost: $350
• Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City, New York. Same-day results. Cost: $225 for the test, which doesn’t include doctor consultation.

 

 

 

In the SF Bay Area (where I live) the fast tests cost around $100 to $200.

I really appreciate the help and information. Are these the same as rapid tests? Or is it just a quicker way to get the PCR test? I called a pharmacy here that offers the rapid test, but he said not all countries accept the rapid test. Most want a negative PCR result.