ScottPilgrim
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Yes, currently you need a negative Covid test to fly to the US. It can be a PCR or an Antigen test.We are doing Camino Le Puy and then walking to Pamplona where some of us will go back to US while others continue to Santiago de Compestela. I am realizing that the US government may still be requiring negative PCR tests for travelers to the US, even those that are fully vaccinated. I cannot find good information about how to get a PCR test in Spain (apart from info provided on this board about doing so in SdC). Does anyone have any insight? We have to get it within 3 days (not 72 hours but 3 calendar days according to CDC) of the flight so that means Roncevalles, Zuburi or Pamplona. A little worrying.
I saw them. Was having trouble penetrating their web site but I sent them an email asking about timing since they seemed to imply turnaround varied by locale. The CDC guidelines are confounding because they don't actually prohibit rapid testing it just has to be certain kind.I have found online a company which offers various COVID-19 tests widely in Spain. The information is available in English and they offer their services in Pamplona. The website address is medmesafe.com I may have to use them myself before returning to Canada. I cannot say anything about their reliability.
Well, I am flying out of Pamplona with a transfer in Madrid so I have to make that work for me one way or another. Oddly I have an overnight layover (literally like 11 pm to 11 am) in Madrid which and I'm guessing the 3-day clock applies to the US leg from Madrid making things tighter still.If I was in your position I wouldn’t waste a second on trying to get a PCR in Roncesvalles or Zubiri. I’d be googling PCR in Pamplona. Though I guess no one is flying out of Pamplona so the other resources are likely Bilbao, Barca or Madrid.
The other issue, that whatever the requirements are today they will be different by then, is no doubt on your list
CDC cannot make that distinction because: 1) fully vaccinated can still transmit COV and 2) Delta is showing itself frequently enough to be a break-through *with symptoms* to be concerning for re-entry to regions where many people may be headed for final destinations with very low vaccination rates, and 3) because signficant rises in case counts for Spain and Portugal now mean that other countries are concerned about travellers returning from the peninsula.Well, I am flying out of Pamplona with a transfer in Madrid so I have to make that work for me one way or another. Oddly I have an overnight layover (literally like 11 pm to 11 am) in Madrid which and I'm guessing the 3-day clock applies to the US leg from Madrid making things tighter still.
I would hope things would change, but am not counting on it it given that the CDC doesn't seem to distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers now, so hard to see what shifts it.
I would think that the tests done at airports would be the type that are acceptable to fly.Madrid airport can do an Antigen test in the right timeframe but I cannot tell if that is adequate bc CDC order is so dense (actually trying to read the document)
I would think that too. But since the regulations of countries to which the many airlines flying out of each airport are flying may vary greatly, I suspect that only those which are simple and practical to offer are likely available there. Antigen tests are not acceptable in Canada, but are widely available at European airports.I would think that the tests done at airports would be the type that are acceptable to fly.
I know all this. Not getting into debating the wisdom of CDC policy insofar as it differs from that of other nations so don't feel you need to defend the thinking to me. I live in NYC so I'm pretty well informed on Covid.CDC cannot make that distinction because: 1) fully vaccinated can still transmit COV and 2) Delta is showing itself frequently enough to be a break-through *with symptoms* to be concerning for re-entry to regions where many people may be headed for final destinations with very low vaccination rates, and 3) because signficant rises in case counts for Spain and Portugal now mean that other countries are concerned about travellers returning from the peninsula.
Trying to figure it out on an individual basis is too difficult: hence, a blanket policy.
I hope you can get it sorted with a minimum leave of difficulty.
Thank you! This is a super helpful answer. I had been perusing the document bc I could have sworn I saw antigen tests mentioned but then couldn't find it again. I'll make an appointment for the morning of the flight to the US. I won't have time for the PCR despite an overnight layover bc I get in too late the night before the american flight.Here is the text of the CDC‘s regulation about type of test:
Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered. A viral test conducted for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) personnel, including DOD contractors, dependents, and other U.S. government employees, and tested by a DOD laboratory located in a foreign country also meets the requirements of the Order.
The Madrid airport gives rapid antigen tests with results in less than an hour. You might want to make an appointment there for early in the morning.
I know all this. Not getting into debating the wisdom of CDC policy insofar as it differs from that of other nations so don't feel you need to defend the thinking to me. I live in NYC so I'm pretty well informed on Covid.
Just need to figure out how to comply.
We Reviewed the CDC-Approved COVID Home Tests for International Travel—Here’s What to Know
We tested the options that satisfy the CDC's testing requirement for international arrivals—and learned a few key things along the way.www.afar.com
Hello, They are offering antigen tests at major airports in Spain,Madrid being oneWell, I am flying out of Pamplona with a transfer in Madrid so I have to make that work for me one way or another. Oddly I have an overnight layover (literally like 11 pm to 11 am) in Madrid which and I'm guessing the 3-day clock applies to the US leg from Madrid making things tighter still.
I would hope things would change, but am not counting on it it given that the CDC doesn't seem to distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers now, so hard to see what shifts it.
Please make sure you can store the test between 2 and 30°C (35.6 - 86°F) or the results may be invalid.I'm taking a test kit with me. I'm flying American Airlines and they have a link to a testing company named eMed. You need an internet connection to end the sample data to a lab and get results back in about 30 minutes. The price for the kit, which is actually 6 tests, is pretty comparable to what I saw for getting a test in Spain:$150.00. They seem to partner with a few airlines. I'm travelling through Santiago and staying at the same hotel coming and going, and am going to leave it there in a piece of luggage. They have already agreed to let me store the luggage.
Hi, I've been using the airlines webpage to gather information on PCR testing. I've found it pretty useful, so maybe check with your own airline and see what information they have available to you on their website. I'm flying with Vueling and their page is pretty good, they're offering a discount for passengers. If it helps here's the link. https://www.vueling.com/en/passengers/test-pcr-covid/. Good luck.We are doing Camino Le Puy and then walking to Pamplona where some of us will go back to US while others continue to Santiago de Compestela. I am realizing that the US government may still be requiring negative PCR tests for travelers to the US, even those that are fully vaccinated. I cannot find good information about how to get a PCR test in Spain (apart from info provided on this board about doing so in SdC). Does anyone have any insight? We have to get it within 3 days (not 72 hours but 3 calendar days according to CDC) of the flight so that means Roncevalles, Zuburi or Pamplona. A little worrying.
We are doing Camino Le Puy and then walking to Pamplona where some of us will go back to US while others continue to Santiago de Compestela. I am realizing that the US government may still be requiring negative PCR tests for travelers to the US, even those that are fully vaccinated. I cannot find good information about how to get a PCR test in Spain (apart from info provided on this board about doing so in SdC). Does anyone have any insight? We have to get it within 3 days (not 72 hours but 3 calendar days according to CDC) of the flight so that means Roncevalles, Zuburi or Pamplona. A little worrying.
Thank you. I did read that but it is also very useful info for anyone reading this thread looking for clarity.I'm not sure if this helps you and I did not read all the previous postings prior to writing this.
I just read the United States CDC requirement page and it gives you (as you said) 3 days to get the test BEFORE you board your flight back home to the U.S.
This 3 days is in your advantage as opposed to the 72 hour window since as an example; "If your flight is at 1300 on a Friday you can technically get your negative test anytime on the previous Tuesday or after."
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?