return home covid testing in Namibia
Feb 5, 2021 | 11:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,766
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:
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.
The requirements for an appointment are the same as for the PCR test:
- Full name of passenger travelling
- Mobile number preferable Namibian
- Passport number
- Email address
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.
Feb 6, 2021 | 7:30 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,388
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.
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.
Feb 6, 2021 | 8:52 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,766
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.
Feb 6, 2021 | 10:11 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond;
Posts: 3,003
Feb 9, 2021 | 12:20 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,063
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.
Feb 9, 2021 | 8:24 am
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Posts: 3,766
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.
Feb 9, 2021 | 9:32 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC; LH M&M; HH Diamond
Posts: 819
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.
Feb 9, 2021 | 9:41 am
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Posts: 3,766
why is ET 834 WDH-ADD an hour longer after April 1?
Feb 10, 2021 | 6:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond;
Posts: 3,003
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.
Oh, it appears the ADD-ORD is no longer operating.
Last edited by tkelvin69; Feb 10, 2021 at 6:11 pm
Feb 10, 2021 | 7:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,388
Oh Susie, I cant 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. Ill 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.
Oh, it appears the ADD-ORD is no longer operating.
Feb 10, 2021 | 9:22 pm
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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Oh Susie, I cant 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. Ill 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.
Oh, it appears the ADD-ORD is no longer operating.
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
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
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
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
Please verify flight times prior to departure 
Feb 10, 2021 | 11:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,063
