Originally Posted by
Mike Jacoubowsky
"Rapid" and "PCR" are not exactly mutually exclusive, but largely so. "Rapid" almost always refers to the antigen test, which is losing favor and not what I'd recommend for "insurance" against a new entry requirement added without your knowledge.
There is a version of PCR that is pretty fast, but it is assuredly not the norm. The typical PCR test takes 24 hours to get results back. The antigen test just 15-60 minutes. The home tests that you buy, including the Binax Now, are antigen and even the monitored one will not qualify for entry into any country that has changed to requiring a PCR test. To the best of my knowledge there is no remote (do it yourself with monitoring) PCR test available.
The antigen test is adequate for entry back into the US, but that could change if the US administration decides to endorse a relatively-safe universal standard for the US and EU that would require both vaccinations and a negative PCR test. Europe is definitely heading away from the antigen test being considered adequate.
I've done 3 trips since June and each time I got the PCR test at Walgreens or Rite Aid by my home. Both drive in, no cost, didn't have to present an insurance card.
Results take 2 or 3 days. In fact I didn't get results until I'd arrived. Except for the first trip in June to Spain and France, I didn't need to have a test in addition to my vaccine CDC card. But I took them anyways, easy to do, no cost.
Walgreens doesn't offer the antigen tests in the Bay Area for some reason.
There are now testing labs at SFO and SJC which will do antigen or rapid PCR tests but they cost over $100 and up. I tried to check them for prices but you can't get anyone on the phone or respond by email. You have to go through the booking process, almost finalize it, before they hit you up for money.
Yeah it would be nice to have antigen tests offered at pharmacies like they have them in the EU, for around 25 Euros.