Coronavirus: testing and travel
Oct 21, 2020, 2:57 pm
#422
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,076
With respect to the isolation, how likely is it that it wasn't only together, but also the crews had some "company" for their last nights at home before heading off on their tours of duty.
Oct 21, 2020, 9:15 pm
#423
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75K (OW), SK Silver (*A), UR, MR
Posts: 3,357
I see that the fishing crews from Russia and Ukraine are being held at the Sudima Hotel in Christchurch.
Interesting that the passengers stayed on the plane in Singapore, reminding me of the distinction between direct and nonstop.
Interesting that the passengers stayed on the plane in Singapore, reminding me of the distinction between direct and nonstop.
Oct 21, 2020, 10:46 pm
#424
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Paradise
Posts: 1,618
I'm currently in South Florida (Port St. Lucie) and will be flying to our winter home in Antigua soon. Antigua is requiring a negative PCR test (taken within 7 days of flying). Yes, that is pretty useless, but what can you do? I have not been able to find a test provider that will do a test for travel purposes - they require you to be symptomatic, or that you have been exposed to symptomatic people. I'd rather not lie and say I have been exposed (which might mean questions about contract tracing, which would expose a lie). Does anyone know of a testing facility in South Florida that will do a test for travel purposes?
Alternatively, we can do one of the mail in tests - they don't require any reasons for the test.
Alternatively, we can do one of the mail in tests - they don't require any reasons for the test.
Access Labs - Jupiter
Oct 22, 2020, 3:19 am
#425
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,284
So there are 2 positive cases which was detected before the flight n thus the rest or close contact should be continued isolating for another 2 weeks. As the rest should be in incubation period.
Oct 22, 2020, 3:41 am
#426
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,906
I am very familiar how 'self-isolating' works in practice in Russia.
So, unless these people were locked in for 2 weeks somewhere without external contacts, counting on 'self-isolation' is useless.
P.S. There is an expression in Russian - 'суровость законов в России компенсируется необязательностью их исполнения'. Translation - the harsh laws in Russia are conpensated by unnecessity to follow them,
So, unless these people were locked in for 2 weeks somewhere without external contacts, counting on 'self-isolation' is useless.
P.S. There is an expression in Russian - 'суровость законов в России компенсируется необязательностью их исполнения'. Translation - the harsh laws in Russia are conpensated by unnecessity to follow them,
Oct 22, 2020, 7:50 am
#427
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,245
The problem is that if testing and self-isolation can't be relied upon then it's impossible that these will be used as a mean to revive travel (and reduce the need for draconian quarantines on arrival).
Oct 22, 2020, 9:17 am
#428
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,665
The trouble in this case is that neither worked. We know that self isolation is not fully observed in the UK. With a change in attitude by the government here, we could most likely make testing work. But you cannot rely on everything being done correctly outside of the UK, so the testing really needs to be here.
Oct 22, 2020, 9:41 am
#429
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,245
The trouble in this case is that neither worked. We know that self isolation is not fully observed in the UK. With a change in attitude by the government here, we could most likely make testing work. But you cannot rely on everything being done correctly outside of the UK, so the testing really needs to be here.
Oct 22, 2020, 1:13 pm
#430
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,076
I posted it earlier in the Canada forum as well, but I'm super excited to share that my home jurisdiction is launching a test on arrival program valid from ANY origin. The main condition is that you have to enter Canada only through Calgary airport, which has limited international service these days (likely why they chose YYC over busier airports).
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ilot-1.5772637
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ilot-1.5772637
Oct 22, 2020, 6:11 pm
#431
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London, Sth Africa or LAS
Programs: VS Silver, BA Blue - finally; but hotels.com Gold :)
Posts: 1,858
I posted it earlier in the Canada forum as well, but I'm super excited to share that my home jurisdiction is launching a test on arrival program valid from ANY origin. The main condition is that you have to enter Canada only through Calgary airport, which has limited international service these days (likely why they chose YYC over busier airports).
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ilot-1.5772637
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ilot-1.5772637
Good its a pilot as highly likely it'll need to be fine-tuned (re-tuned) after real world results and behaviors.
Not quite sure I follow this bit: "If the test comes back negative, travellers will be allowed to leave their place of quarantine as long as they commit to getting a second test on day six or seven after arrival, at a community pharmacy participating in the pilot program, the province said. "
So, test at Day 0. Quarantine for 2 days. The 'result' is released after 2 days. Free to go (with conditions) if the test is negative.
What is gained by quarantining for the two days? Why not just give the result in an hour (LAMP) or within 8 hours like Jersey is now doing?
There will need to be very strong incentives and policing of the scheme to ensure the second tests are completed and secure good data for the pilot. But as above, all a bit pointless if a Day 6 test has a 48 hour turnaround time.
The jury is still out on this but hopefully strong science will emerge to allow the Day 4 vs Day 5 vs Day 6 vs Day 7 trade-offs to be fully understood and a policy chosen. Day 0 should be a given!
Meanwhile any updates from the YYZ pilot?
Oct 22, 2020, 11:05 pm
#432
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,076
The quarantine for 2 days is because it's a standard PCR test that will be processed in batches - the initial headlines stated "rapid testing" but it's not. Hence the waiting period as batches are processed.
Oct 23, 2020, 2:32 am
#433
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,245
I posted it earlier in the Canada forum as well, but I'm super excited to share that my home jurisdiction is launching a test on arrival program valid from ANY origin. The main condition is that you have to enter Canada only through Calgary airport, which has limited international service these days (likely why they chose YYC over busier airports).
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ilot-1.5772637
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ilot-1.5772637
And I like the fact it's being conducted as a study for those who could already enter the country (at least initially). I'm hopeful that if it works it'll be extended.
It will be available for foreign essential workers — truckers, health-care workers and other workers who are exempt from the current federal travel ban — and any Canadian citizens returning to the country through Alberta.
If the test comes back negative, travellers will be allowed to leave their place of quarantine as long as they commit to getting a second test on Day 6 or 7 after arrival, at a community pharmacy participating in the pilot program, the province said.
"Our twin goal here is protecting both lives and livelihoods, and that is especially important in Alberta with the depth of the energy price collapse and its economic impact," Kenney said.
But as federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu pointed out, the pilot program only applies to Canadian residents and foreign nationals who are already allowed to come to Canada.
"There are no changes now at the border to be clear," Hajdu said. "And so this is a controlled study with a willing province that has the tools and the capacity to be able to manage the study."
If the test comes back negative, travellers will be allowed to leave their place of quarantine as long as they commit to getting a second test on Day 6 or 7 after arrival, at a community pharmacy participating in the pilot program, the province said.
"Our twin goal here is protecting both lives and livelihoods, and that is especially important in Alberta with the depth of the energy price collapse and its economic impact," Kenney said.
But as federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu pointed out, the pilot program only applies to Canadian residents and foreign nationals who are already allowed to come to Canada.
"There are no changes now at the border to be clear," Hajdu said. "And so this is a controlled study with a willing province that has the tools and the capacity to be able to manage the study."
Oct 23, 2020, 10:26 am
#434
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,972
FYI, just got this in an email, but Costco now sells at home PCR kits, which are FSA eligible. $129 w/o video observation and $139 w/ video observation.
Features:
Features:
- PCR tests are the gold standard testing method with the most accurate sensitivity and specificity currently on the market
- Emergency Use Act-Authorized at-home self-administered PCR saliva test with video observation for travelers
- Test for COVID-19 infection at home without a painful nasal swab
- Get your shareable results in 24-48 hours from the time the lab receives your kit (contiguous U.S. only) online through the HIPAA-secure AZOVA app
- Note: You must register for a lab order with AZOVA after checkout for each person who is taking the test. You will receive a coupon code to redeem on AZOVA.com/costcotest to receive your at-home test kit
- FSA Eligible Item
Oct 23, 2020, 10:29 am
#435
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Gold
Posts: 5,710
Austrian Airlines just started a rapid testing initiative, starting in November for flights to Berlin. Results in 15 minutes, linked to the BP: only negative results allowed to board.