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Flawed COVID-19 testing protocols for international travel need to be fixed immediately

Nov. 18, 2021
6 min read
woman receive nose swab for COVID-19 testing
Flawed COVID-19 testing protocols for international travel need to be fixed immediately
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I’m a big proponent of vaccines, masks and COVID-19 testing.

(If you don’t like that, feel free to stop reading now. Seriously.)

In the past two weeks, I’ve taken two trips out of the United States – my first since the pandemic. And in both cases, I’ve been baffled by the COVID-19 testing procedures.

The most recent came during a one-night trip to Montreal to meet with some Air Canada executives.

I got a rapid PCR test in New York Sunday morning, a day before my Monday flight. Canada only requires it to be 72 hours prior, but I’m lucky enough to have a testing location in New York that guarantees results within four hours.

This is a sound policy given the struggles we still have with getting fast, accurate tests nearly two years into this pandemic.

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Upon arrival in Montreal, I was pulled aside for a random test.

Great!

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While slightly annoyed at the added time, I honestly appreciated the extra step and level of caution.

But here’s where my frustration starts.

After being swabbed for the PCR test, the nurse released me into the country and said I would get results within 72 hours.

What?

Here I was at a massive, very efficient COVID-19 testing center inside the airport, and the Canadian government couldn’t find a way to process results faster? If you want to have a strong border and keep your country safe, isn’t that step one?

I ended up spending 28 hours in Canada and boarded my flight home to the U.S. and still hadn't received my test results.

Overall, Canada’s testing policy for international arrivals is great, but if you are going to do random testing, make sure you have the test results before actually letting folks into the country.

Canada has been doing a good job but some of its systems might not be able to handle quick turnarounds. (Photo by Cole Burston/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Related: Canada reopens to Americans — my experience crossing the border

As for reentering the U.S. on Tuesday afternoon? All I had to do was show that same negative test from Sunday morning.

I know that “three days” or “72 hours” has become the accepted standard. It’s close enough to your travel but long enough to let those without easy access to a fast test still get results.

But I find it absolutely ridiculous that the test I needed to get home to New York was the same test I took in New York before leaving the country.

If we are worried about Americans catching COVID-19 in other countries – something possible, even during short trips – then we should rethink our testing requirements.

Should we have rapid antigen tests required within a few hours of travel?

I don’t know the answer, but the current procedures seem like they’re full of holes. (Note: Unvaccinated Americans have additional hurdles to jump through.)

Related: The US requires a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days to get in the country. But what if your flight is delayed?

A minor, or maybe not-so-minor, tangent: I’ve flown to California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada and Texas this year. None of these domestic destinations required any type of COVID-19 test to visit, nor was I required to take a test to return to New York.

We need the freedom to travel without tons of paperwork and testing. However, there is a disconnect between the testing needed to return from highly vaccinated countries like Canada and the United Kingdom and the lack of testing needed within our own country – one with vastly different state vaccination rates.

But I digress.

My other international trip was to London, at the start of the month.

England doesn’t require tests before arrival for vaccinated visitors. (I took one the day prior anyway; I’d rather cancel my trip than risk being stuck overseas.)

But England does require a COVID-19 test upon your second full day in the country.

I left New York the Sunday night of Halloween, landed in London Monday morning and was required to test by Wednesday but could do it earlier. A confirmation number of your prearranged – and prepaid – test is required by the government for your entry forms, which you must fill out before boarding your flight.

The U.K. policies are not enforced well if you are traveling in from another country. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Nobody ever checks to see that you actually took the test, though.

I took mine that Tuesday and also used it as my test to reenter the U.S. on that Thursday.

Related: Here’s how I’m navigating the UK COVID-19 testing requirements

Nobody actually reviewed my negative COVID-19 tests before I returned to the U.S. from Canada and England. In both cases, I simply added them to an app and, seconds later, was cleared to get a boarding pass.

COVID-19 testing adds an extra challenge to travel these days. While I do find the time required to fill out different forms annoying, especially since each airline and country has a different process, I’m OK with taking that step if it stops the spread of the virus.

However, these burdensome requirements do very little to actually limit cross-border transmission. They are better than nothing but far from perfect.

I know there are limits to test availability and the speed of PCR tests, but if we are really going to fully reopen international borders and catch breakthrough COVID-19 cases, we need to have more reasonable testing policies.

This is a great opportunity for a group, such as the International Air Transport Association, to lobby governments – and its own airline members – for more standardization and practical policies.

Without those changes, it’s going to be hard for travel to return to normal, whatever that is anymore.

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
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Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
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  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

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    $125
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    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
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  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
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  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.