return home covid testing in Namibia
 

I have a long planned safari vacation in Namibia scheduled for May 5-21 postponed from last September. I was getting concerned about getting a covid test 72 hours before boarding my ET flight to return home to the US. I got this news from my travel agent today:Regarding the rapid antigen test, this is possible. On the 3rd of February, Rennies Travel let us know that they offer this. Below are the details:

The requirements for an appointment are the same as for the PCR test:

1. Full name of passenger travelling
2. Mobile number – preferable Namibian
3. Passport number
4. Email address

The fee per test is N$800.00.

Please book your appointment by sending an email to: [email protected]

The Antigen test is a nasal swab and is done by the onsite nurse, George, and are screened by Pathcare.

The Antigen Tests will be done as follows:

Testing: 08h00 – 09h00 for EW/LH flights departing at 10h00 the next day. The results will be out the same day in the evening

Testing: 14h00 – 15h00 for ET flight departing the next day at 14h30. The results will be out the next morning.

Someone in Namibia is responding to the dilemma returning travelers would have to get tested in time, which will enable tourism to continue and they will make some money. If another company adds the rapid testing the price should come down due to competition. My vacation is saved. Nice.

If it is an antigen test, I don't see why the results should not be available in 15 minutes or so.

Johan

We are getting the same kind of service and price for a PCR test from our lodge in a Kruger Park area next June.

My guess is the delay in results is the service provider gathers samples from several locations and they are processed by a central lab a few hours later. There are PCR test that deliver results in < 2 hours and most of the companies peddling these say results in 24 hours.

I don't think the travel agency is screening the test in their office. Looks like they do the swabs and send out for analysis and results to Pathcare. If I could go direct to Pathcare to be tested I would probably get results on the spot, within the 15 minutes. Pathcare only does testing in the mornings and they do not do fast antigen testing from what I see on their web site. Again, this could change over the next few months before my trip in May.

Probably due to collection of a batch followed by testing.

Keep in mind that while an antigen test may be acceptable for your final destination, if for whatever reason you misconnect and have to stay overnight in Ethiopia they require a PCR test (NOT an antigen test) to enable you to enter the country. Those without PCRs will be placed in quarantine until their next flight if >8 hours later.

If I were to misconnect in ADD it would be ET's fault. I am ticketed on ET 834 WDH-ADD connecting to ET 574 ADD-ORD. I have 20 minutes in ADD to change flights. This is a legal connection. If we miss the flight to Chicago we would have to wait 24 hours in ADD for the next one but I am assuming ET would pay for our quarantine hotel room since they would have caused us to miss the flight back to the US.

I think you should get some kind of FlyerTalk Oscar for accepting/attempting/doing a 20 min transfer at ADD!

It's not my choice, this is how the ticket was booked by UA. I can also see my ticket on ET web site, it is a bookable connection. I have another thread going about why the WDH-ADD flight takes an hour longer than ADD-WDH. I will probably not be the only person going on to the Chicago flight so unless ET wants to be paying to put people up at a hotel overnight they may hold the Chicago flight or they may adjust the time of the Windhoek flight.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/othe...april-1-a.html

Oh Susie, I can’t wait until your trip and the drama ends. In the spirit of continuing your off topic post the minimum online I-I connection time in ADD to U.S. is 1:30. I’ll again give you the reference here and other forums and travel websites if need be: https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/aa...onnecting-time

Oh, it appears the ADD-ORD is no longer operating.

i am seeing flight history on ET574 (ADD-DUB-ORD) indicating it is still operating. And it seems to be scheduled for the future.

Well, ET 574 will be operating on May 21.

And as to the minimum connection time, here I am ticketed by UA on ET 834 to ET 574 with a 20 minute connection at ADD. How do explain why ET would ticket this connection?

Departure: WDH WINDHOEK WDH, NAMIBIA
2:30PM https://services.tripcase.com//stati...ail/spacer.gif Arrival: ADD ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
10:20PM
TERMINAL 2 Cabin: Business Meal: Lunch Aircraft: BOEING 787-8 JET Duration: 6hour(s) and 50minute(s) Distance (in Miles): 2591
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES Flight Number ET 834
CONFIRMED Friday, 21 May
Departure: ADD ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
10:40PM
TERMINAL 2 https://services.tripcase.com//stati...ail/spacer.gif Arrival: DUB DUBLIN, IRELAND
5:00AM +1 day
TERMINAL 1 Cabin: Business Meal: Dinner, Snack Aircraft: BOEING 787-8 JET Duration: 8hour(s) and 20minute(s) Distance (in Miles): 3952
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES Flight Number ET 574
CONFIRMED Friday, 21 May -
Saturday, 22 May
Departure: DUB DUBLIN, IRELAND
6:00AM
TERMINAL 1 https://services.tripcase.com//stati...ail/spacer.gif Arrival: ORD CHICAGO OHARE, IL
7:55AM Cabin: Business Meal: Breakfast, Lunch Aircraft: BOEING 787-8 JET Duration: 7hour(s) and 55minute(s) Distance (in Miles): 3674

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES Flight Number ET 574
CONFIRMED Saturday, 22 May
https://services.tripcase.com//stati...ail/spacer.gif Please verify flight times prior to departure https://services.tripcase.com//stati...ail/spacer.gif

https://services.tripcase.com//stati...l/icon-air.jpg

https://services.tripcase.com//stati...ail/spacer.gif https://services.tripcase.com//stati...ail/spacer.gif

No it isn't. There is a specific exception filed for a 0:20 MCT for certain flight ranges.

They tend to pad their schedules on both ends. It shouldn't be an issue unless one flight is majorly delayed.

I love your optimism!