How does anyone travel overseas these days with the strict Covid testing requirements / timeframes?

[magicant 11]

So my wife is thinking about traveling overseas next month to visit her family.  But with Covid and testing requirements everything seems crazy and I’m not sure how anyone travels these days.

 

Looking for some insight or experience of others that have traveled recently.

 

She’s looking to go to Cambodia, with a stopover in Singapore (just transiting).  Requirement is a Covid-19 negative test withing 48 hours of departure (even though Cambodia’s requirements is 72 hours, Singapore requires 48 hours, even if just transiting).

 

The flight (nothing booked yet) would leave around 10:20 PM.  So 48 hours is 2 days before, at 10:20 PM, obviously can’t get a test then.  So she can’t get a test until next day (assuming you can get a test scheduled).  That leaves little room for getting the results back, especially when time is never guaranteed.

 

Do airports accept showing it on your phone in case we get it emailed while on the way there?

 

Then coming back, the US requires a test within 24 hours before departure.  Again, since her flight is at around 6:20 PM, it doesn’t seem clinics in Cambodia are open after 5 PM (still trying to check around).  So that means she would have to take a test the morning of her flight.  And I’ve heard they don’t email it to you, you have to pick it up.

 

So how can anyone make this work?  I would be very worried of her missing flights (going and coming, especially coming) and getting stuck in Cambodia.  I worry if they don’t give the proper test could she get turned away when arriving in the US, etc.

 

She is fully vaccinated, but that doesn’t exclude tests.

 

What are people’s experiences here?

 

Thank you for any information.

[Mike E 11,739]

I only travel by cruise ship. Covid testing  rules are simple. 
 

Until rationality  returns, complex international flight itineraries are off the table.  
 

i won’t be surprised if I’m cremated before that happens.  The world has gone mad.  

[millefleur 5,046]

29 minutes ago, magicant said:

Then coming back, the US requires a test within 24 hours before departure. 

Apparently the guideline is "1 day" and not "24 hours" according to the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

 

The 1-day period is 1 day before the flight’s departure. The Order uses a 1-day time frame instead of 24 hours to provide more flexibility to the air passenger and aircraft operator. By using a 1-day window, test acceptability does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test sample was taken.

For example, if your flight is at 1pm on a Friday, you could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Thursday.

 

33 minutes ago, magicant said:

She’s looking to go to Cambodia, with a stopover in Singapore (just transiting).  Requirement is a Covid-19 negative test withing 48 hours of departure (even though Cambodia’s requirements is 72 hours, Singapore requires 48 hours, even if just transiting).

If Singapore is going to make things so difficult, maybe just look into transiting via another country that is less strict.

[magicant 11]

Thanks for the replies.  I didn't realize about the 1 day.  That definitely helps.

 

I am more worried of her coming home than going there.  But will see.  I called JFK airport (main number) and they said they have testing there at 2 terminals.  Not sure how accurate this is and if those are acceptable for the flight out.  But may be a possible backup plan if something goes wrong getting results from a clinic.

 

Do you know if you just get the results emailed and can show on your phone at the airport?  Of course I plan to also have a hard copy, if possible, but depending on timing it may not be.

 

Thank you.

[millefleur 5,046]

12 minutes ago, magicant said:

Do you know if you just get the results emailed and can show on your phone at the airport?  Of course I plan to also have a hard copy, if possible, but depending on timing it may not be.

Yeah, when I got my rapid PCR test done back when I traveled in November, they emailed the results less than 24 hours later. I just saved it to my phone and also printed it at home, never needed to pick it up in person. The copy was enough for the airlines and border control.

[magicant 11]

Thanks for all the responses.  We booked her tickets and she was able to get a test scheduled in her country the day before her flight and they said it will be available the next morning, so hopefully it will be good.

 

I have to make an appointment here for the test before she leaves, but I already called the clinic and it shouldn't be a problem, of course they never guarantee anything.

 

I assume both covid tests will need to be in her maiden name which matches her foreign passport, and her airline tickets since that is what is being used to travel?  I assume that won't be an issue?  Then she will just have her green card and copy of marriage certificate to enter the US.   Can anyone confirm?

 

Thanks.

[nathan92845 7]

My Wife and I visited Cambodia early January.  We went and got a PCR test the 2 days before our flight departed.  We picked up the test results with the clinics stamp on it the day before our flight.  Make sure the clinic stamps the test results otherwise Singapore airlines will not accept the results-Again - BE SURE TO HAVE THE CLINIC STAMP ON THE TEST RESUTS.  I saw people try to bring in a printed copy without the stamp from the clinic and turned away at the ticket counter.  When you arrive in Cambodia you will get rapid test to verify your are covid negative before you are allowed to leave.  The whole process took us an hour and half.  Coming back we had to pay $130 each for another PCR test.  We took the test on Friday morning, picked up the results Saturday morning and boarded our flight at Siem Reap airport at 4pm that afternoon.  The whole process was pretty hectic and crazy but well worth it to visit after being away from our homeland for over 2 years. 

 

As for the entering the US again all she needs is the green card.

Edited February 14, 2022 by nathan92845

[magicant 11]

Thank you for the reply.  Wasn't aware of the stamp.  That stinks, thought I could print it out.  Now will have to go back to the clinic to pick it up the day of her flight, hoping it's ready on time.  I will confirm with the clinic.  Unfortunately she can't get it 2 days before because her flight is at night and 48 hours will be at night, when clinic is closed.  So have to get it morning, the day before the flight.

 

Coming back I assume she needs the green card, and copy of marriage certificate since airline tickets are in maiden name (matching passport).

 

Thank you very much.

[millefleur 5,046]

19 hours ago, nathan92845 said:

Make sure the clinic stamps the test results otherwise Singapore airlines will not accept the results-Again - BE SURE TO HAVE THE CLINIC STAMP ON THE TEST RESUTS. 

Wow sounds like Singapore Airlines is strict. When I traveled with United, they didn't require any kind of stamp, just a print out was fine.

 

I guess it makes sense to always double check with the airline in advance, I hope you'll get the results in time.

[Lemonslice 4,836]

Many airports have testing centers, that might be the easiest way to proceed.  I suggest getting there early(er) than recommended. 

 

Here are the details for JFK

https://www.jfkairport.com/announcements/covid-19-testing

 

 

 

[magicant 11]

Thanks I actually talked to JFK and looked into testing at the airport, but they give rapid tests which are not acceptable.  Singapore and Cambodia want a PCR test, and those take 24 to 48 hours so I don't think we could get a test at the airport before traveling.  That would be great though.

 

I guess I'll just have to be on pins and needles until she returns home, hoping it all goes smoothly and she doesn't miss any planes. 

[nathan92845 7]

6 hours ago, magicant said:

Thanks I actually talked to JFK and looked into testing at the airport, but they give rapid tests which are not acceptable.  Singapore and Cambodia want a PCR test, and those take 24 to 48 hours so I don't think we could get a test at the airport before traveling.  That would be great though.

 

I guess I'll just have to be on pins and needles until she returns home, hoping it all goes smoothly and she doesn't miss any planes. 

Not gonna lie, it was worth it but I'll wait until things open up more before I go back.  The hoops you have to jump thru with all the covid test, trying to socially distance while on vacation to avoid contracting covid and the only flight option available being Singapore Air was a lot to handle.

[Lemonslice 4,836]

14 hours ago, magicant said:

Thanks I actually talked to JFK and looked into testing at the airport, but they give rapid tests which are not acceptable.  Singapore and Cambodia want a PCR test, and those take 24 to 48 hours so I don't think we could get a test at the airport before traveling.  That would be great though.

 

I guess I'll just have to be on pins and needles until she returns home, hoping it all goes smoothly and she doesn't miss any planes. 

 

 

Terminal 4, Arrivals Level (Pre-Security)

Testing provided by XpresCheck using Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

 

Terminal 1, Departures Level (Pre-Security)

Testing provided by Adams Health Services using the Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 Real Time RT-PCR test with results available in 2-3 hours.

 

 

Terminal 7, Departures Level – Main Entrance (Pre-Security)

Testing provided by Adams Health Services using the Biomeme SARS-CoV-2 Real Time RT-PCR test with results available in 2-3 hours.

 

Terminal 8, Red Parking Garage

Testing provided by NYC Health + Hospitals using Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test

 

 

Edited February 17, 2022 by Lemonslice

[Lemonslice 4,836]

Friends of mine took PCR tests at JFK last week, got there way early, and had their results after 2-3 hours... Call the lab/clinic directly, not the general airport number. 

[magicant 11]

Thanks.  I believe (but don't know how to 100% confirm) that Cambodia does not allow a rapid test for entry (they provide a rapid test when you arrive, but not the one you take before departing for Cambodia).

 

I called the clinic for JFK and they offer the Rapid PCR test available that day.  Standard PCR test available in 2-4 days.  So I need to confirm somehow if Cambodia would accept the rapid test, but I remember reading somewhere that they didn't.

 

Thank you.