Yeah, that probably a reasonable time frame for people who feel sick and want to know if they have Covid, but it's obviously a bad system for folks planning travel and want to avoid last-minutes problems. I sure don't want to be scrambling on my trip to find a last minute appointment so I can cross the border.

So I guess I'll hold the 14-day-in-advance CVS appointment and then see if Walgreens loads anything. BTW, has anyone taken 2 tests at different outfits just to "make sure" they get their results in time? Seems stupid and a hassle, but it will be more hassle if I'm at the border and don't have the results back yet.

Yes. I did them 1 day appart. I was flying and had a connector flight. No control over situation and in the event of a delay..... it worked out well. Got to the border with 1.5 hrs left on the first test. Both test results arrived in a timely fashion.

There’s another reason to consider this strategy. Should the first test be positive, better to know sooner rather than later.

It sounds like you don't want to leave things up chance and I get that. However have you considered that ID NOW having same-day results (they quote 24 hours but it's same-day) actually reduces risks and allows you to recover from "last minute problems" such as a lost sample or extended turnaround time?

With Walgreens ID NOW you essentially can schedule 5 days (essentially 6 days) prior to travel (Saturday 12:01AM for a Monday test for Thursday travel) and getting results same day.

With CVS, there's a risk you may not get your results in a timely manner. If scheduling 5 days in advance is a "last minute problem" (despite knowing exactly when Walgreens ID NOW new appointments show up), try taking a test at CVS at the 72 hours mark and watching while the clock ticks down to 48 hours left, 24 hours left to departure waiting for results.....

ID NOW test are performed in-store. CVS test are sent to a lab. As such, there's the additional risk that the CVS test sample can get lost in transit to the lab.

There's an entire thread with data points indicating that Walgreens ID NOW (where offered) is really the way to go.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawa...s-only-48.html

Any rapid COVID test around BLI?
 

I'm in Vancouver and would like to hop across the border to pickup some stuff in Bellingham.

The closest Walgreens that offers rapid PCR is in Bellevue (2hrs) so I'd like to avoid driving that far if I don't absolutely need to.

Does anyone know of any other places close to the border that offers rapid PCR or NAAT test used for entry into Canada?

As a backup I could get the test done in Canada for about $200...

Not sure where you're seeing this data. I'm looking at Walgreens VT right now and I only see testing availability for two days forward. And that's only in southern VT. In northern VT -- the area actually near the Canadian border -- Walgreens is only offering PCR tests!

This is obviously harder than it should be. Which I guess is why demand to cross the border is low.

ID NOW is not offered at all Walgreens. As ID NOW is performed on-site. Only Walgreens with the necessary equipment will offer it.

As of now Sunday SEP 12 9:22PM Eastern, Rutland shows ID NOW available on Monday SEPT 13 and Tuesday SEPT 14.
If you check again Monday SEP 13 12:02AM Eastern, Rutland should show Wednesday SEPT 15 as well (but Monday/same-day appointments will likely be removed at that time).

As Canada requires a test performed no early than 72 hours, then essentially if you make an appointment Monday SEP 13 12:02AM Eastern for a Wednesday SEPT 15 appointment, that test can be used for travel all-day Friday and part of the day Saturday depending on when sample is submitted

Monday 12:02AM is essentially Sunday night. In summary, you are searching for an appointment Sunday night and making a booking for Wednesday which is valid for travel as late as Saturday. That's almost 6 days in advance of travel

AFAIK, the same appointment window (close to 6 days in advance of travel) apply for regular PCR test as well.

I was able to make a CVS PCR test appointment in MA at the 2-week mark. Since I'm only spending 2 nights in northern VT before crossing the border, I will do it on my way north. A two day turn around (which the website indicates) would be fine but if it streched to 3 days (as one pharmacist told me has happened), I'd have problems. There are Walgreens that do the ID NOW test in central VT (none in northern VT) so I'm thinking of hedging my bets and also stopping that day for a Walgreens Covid test if I can make the appointment when they go on the books a couple of days before. I suppose I have to decide which potential hassle I prefer.

BTW, it's still unclear to me what people who live in northern VT and want to cross the border are supposed to do. Drive an hour and a half south to get tested? Try their luck at a local pharmacy and hope the PCR test comes back in time? Pay big money to a hospital for a faster test? Incredible hassle for nothing.

No idea what locals in Upstate NY/Northern VT do. Maybe that's why CBSA entry numbers are still low at the border.

FWIW, I took an ID NOW in NJ on Tuesday and got results back in 90 minutes. Did a second ID NOW this morning in Kingston NY on my way up to Quebec. Results came back in 50 minutes (before I got up to Albany from Kingston). Did this second test for my personal peace of mind in case test on Tuesday was a false negative. Definitely can't do this with a PCR.

Day trip to US
 

My wife and me have a same day trip planned to US via car, she is American, me Canadian. It would appear she is eligible as a US citizen with me tagging along as the spouse.

My primary concern is does CBSA accept a PCR test done in Canada within the 72 hour timeline for both legs of the same day trip.

Thoughts or advice appreciated,

PCR test taken in Canada is good to come back to Canada within 72 hours. BUT I am pretty sure (99%) you will be denied land entry to USA unless your trip is essential. Your wife can of course go but I believe you would have to fly. This might change after 10/21.

US.gov site indicates spouses of US citizens eligible to enter US so I am assuming good to go.

Which site?

Federal Register shows that the exemption only applies to US citizens and LPRs. Only mention of spouse are spouses of US Armed Forces members.

https://www.regulations.gov/document...2020-0071-0006

This is also my understanding of the current rules.

I have read cases of Cdn students driving to attend college in USA who can have 1 (but not 2) parent(s) help them move in. The other parent had to fly. I have also read where 1 (but not 2) parent(s) could drive to take child for US medical care.