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After so many months of lockdown, many people are eager to travel again and visit friends and family members they haven't seen in a while. If you are one of them, you will probably be wondering how to go about your travel plans, considering the pandemic and the new regulations most airlines and travel agencies now require. Countries around the world are also being very cautious and are doing their best to reduce the risk of translocation of the coronavirus from one place to another. Whether your travel is local or international, getting tested for COVID is fast becoming a standard procedure, with your COVID test results being just as important as your passport. For prospective travellers who have questions and concerns about getting a coronavirus test for travel purposes, medical experts have provided advice on how to go about it.
Where to find a coronavirus test before or after travel
One of the first things on your list as a potential traveller is finding a credible place to get tested. There are different places providing coronavirus testing services, some of which are: travel clinics, urgent care centres, pharmacies, hospitals and even some airports. It's advisable to first ask your doctor or primary health caretaker for recommendations.
Most testing centres will require you to book an appointment ahead, so you should request one early enough to avoid any last-minute rush or delay. There is also the option of getting your test done at home if you are unable to find a physical testing site. Some clinics offer at-home testing services, and depending on the test; you will get your results in time.
What type of coronavirus test to expect
Due to the novel nature of Covid-19, a lot of things are still uncertain, and research is very much ongoing. Currently, there are two types of tests used for coronavirus; Viral tests and antibody tests. Viral tests are used to detect a current infection whilst antibody test tells you if you've previously been infected.
For travellers, it's best to go for a viral test such as the RT-PCR test for Covid-19 as that will let you know if you have an active infection. This test is usually carried out via a throat or nasal swab to get samples. Swab samples can also be gotten through the saliva. The PCR test is quite sensitive and produces accurate results but takes a long time.
If, on the other hand, you want speedy results, you can opt for a rapid diagnostic COVID test and get your tests results in 15 minutes. The rapid test is available in two kinds, antigen and molecular tests. Although medical experts often question the accuracy of the rapid antigen test results.
When is the best time to get your coronavirus travel test
Finding the best time to get your COVID test for travel can be quite tricky. If you get it too early, there is still time for you to get infected before travelling and that invalidates your results. If you get it done too close to your date of departure and there is any form of delay in receiving your test results, you run the risk of either infecting others, being denied access to board or enter your travel destination.
Whenever you decide to get yours, remember that the waiting time for each test differs. Some test results take days, some hours and others are available in minutes. Delay in getting results could happen to anyone for many reasons so you should factor that in also.
Try to make your travel plans as flexible as possible and create a little time between your departure date and the expected time of receiving your test results.
Should you get tested before, during or after your travel?
Pre-travel testing reduces the risk of transporting infected persons to other locations. Post-arrival testing or testing during your trip also helps to limit the spread of the virus by those who have been infected. Health experts recommend that travellers get tested one to three days before travelling and three to five days after arrival. Self-isolation for at least one week is also advised irrespective of your test results.
A negative test result does not guarantee your safety during travel
That your private coronavirus test for travel comes back negative does not necessarily mean you are completely safe. Covid-19 tests are not always accurate as it is possible to get tested too early when the virus is not yet detectable. A negative result also does not guarantee immunity from the virus because you can still get infected on the bus, in train or even after you leave the testing clinic.
This means at all times, you still need to follow all Covid-19 protocols; wear a face covering in public places, maintain social distance, avoid crowded places, wash and sanitise your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. More importantly, consider your health status and background before travelling.
Planning a safe trip during covid-19 is very possible. You can get your PCR testing for coronavirus at https://www.thetravelclinic.london/covid-pcr-test-travel.
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