Originally Posted by
Sopwith
Yes, I thought of that. Do we know for sure that the Switch test is accepted in the US and HI? Will they do it on Dec 25 and Jan 1?
The Switch Health tests definitely meet the U.S. government requirements for flights entering the States. (Not sure about any requirements unique to the state of Hawaii, though).
(The AZOVA tests offered through their WestJet/Swoop hook-up are the same, so would meet the requirements too. I’d be reluctant to use them, though.)
Per the CDC:
You can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:
- The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription.
- The telehealth provider must confirm your identity, observe the sample collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order (see “What information must be included in the test result?” below).
- Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to review and confirm your identity and the test result details. You must also be able to present the documentation of test results to U.S. officials at the port of entry and local/state health departments, if requested.
Fingers crossed that Switch will be up and running on Christmas Day … we’re flying to the U.S. on the morning of Dec 26. (The new rules will make it tough - if not impossible - for anyone flying out on 12/26 unless they have at-home tests.)
Given that the AZOVA/WestJet offering is confusing and seemed kinda half-baked (things like not being able to set up testing profiles for children unless they have a U.S. home address) I’m avoiding them for now. Safer to stick with the Switch Health option until WestJet can get this fully launched and better communicated.
(Fortunately, I managed to get enough of the Switch/AC tests - both Antigen for outbound and LAMP for my returns - for my trips through to mid January.)