Hi there,

I just returned from a trip abroad to the US after using the BinaxNOW Antigen Test (along with eMed). Here is a summary of my experience, and answers to many frequent questions:

• Tracking of Kits: I purchased one 6-pack of tests via eMed. Another relative of mine purchased another 6 pack. After arrival we promptly got all of them mixed up. But it didn't matter. Upon starting the eMed session, they will just make sure that the QR code on the box matches the one on the Binax card. There does not appear to be any matching of the QR codes to an individual name. So its possible to use a 6 pack among more than one person. Just make sure each person has their own navica account.
• Navica App: Make sure to download the Navica app on your device prior to leaving the US. The app store restricts downloads of Navica to AppleID users with a primary US address. I had problems with the Navica app running on iPad. Especially when trying to share the results of the Navica pass. The Share Sheet was not working on the ipad version of Navica. But it was working on the iPhone. I wanted to have printed copies of the negative result instead of relying only on the phone. The difficulty in exporting the negative result from the iPad share sheet also caused problems when using the United Travel Ready Center. United asks passengers to upload negative results ahead of the flight. I tried to send a screenshot of the negative test result (along with QR code), and it was initially rejected. This was because I had no way to export it from my iPad Navica app. I then used the Navica app on my Iphone and then exported using share. This seemed to please the United people, and so they accepted it.
• Miscalculation of Days: There was also a problem in how the Navica app calculated the number of days since the negative test. According to the CDC website (link below), days are counted instead of hours to allow more flexibility. A maximum of 3 days are allowed. The CDC website gives an example of a Friday flight with a negative test on Tuesday. However the Navica app counts the day of test as Day #1. So when I arrived to the airport and pulled out the navica app on my phone, I was horrified when it said "4 Days since Negative Test". Luckily I had a print out with me. I sent a bug report to the Navica help desk.

Apart from the minor issues above, using the eMed/BinaxNow kit was very easy. Takes about 20 minutes in total. A laptop with webcam along with internet access is required. The proctor watches you insert the swab into your nose, and also walks you through the process of priming the assay. A timer is set for 15 minutes, and someone else returns to interpret the results for you. Note that the antigen tests don't have as high of a specificity/sensitivity as PCR. So false positives/false negatives are more common. Just be wary as if you get a false positive, it will be reported to United. You might consider a PCR test as a backup in case.

CDC Link for COVID Testing Requirements to Enter US: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...travelers.html