shihyin

Oh yeah it is one of the biggest uncertainty... whether to accidentally get infected before travel and actually not passing the test! We've been very vigilant, both working from home and haven't dined out since March. I guess we will be SUPER vigilant before the trip.

shihyin

We already got a no from Atrius Health (actual patient there and asked the question through patient portal). Yes what I have heard is that the fastest test is through a provider with an order. I guess we will have to ask around more to find out who might be willing to order such a test for travel. If there are other places where there might be more people sharing their experiences in Boston online, appreciate you direct me over there.

shihyin

Yes, have been asking about PCR testing. Indeed most requirements will only accept PCR results.

Often1

If you know a surgeon of any kind, check with them. Most surgeries now require an expedited PCR test just prior to surgery. It's a favor to ask, but not that big a deal if you can find one to order the test as pre-surgical.

rove312

The French consulates in the U.S. have compiled lists of testing locations with some indication of a 72-hour turnaround. Click your section of the map midway down the page https://fr.franceintheus.org/spip.php?article9838#en . For the Boston consulate, there's https://boston.consulfrance.org/covi...e-faire-tester , I think only in French but you can do Google Translate if needed. Some of their listings may require residency in the city or state. For Boston, for Tufts Medical Center they say any walk-ins accepted, and you should indicate that you need the test for travel with a deadline. Contact the places listed to ask if they'll do the test in the way that you need.

shihyin

Just report my finding in the Boston area. Mass General Brigham Urgent Care now offers self-pay PCR test. The price is $165 and results will be ready in their patient portal between 24-48hr. A colleague of mine got hers for a trip to Maine recently, and received her results at around 36hr. When I called a couple of weeks before, they required a doctor order to do a test. I guess with the 14-day quarantine requirement for traveler coming into the state (and college students) which can be ended early with a negative result, they see a stream of revenue for those wanting to get out of quarantine sooner.

radonc1

You should check and see if your insurance may pay for the test prior to forking over the money. So if you are on Medicare and can get your PCP to order one, you can get it done for a co-pay, if that. If you have private or company insurance, you should check anyway. It may save you some money out of pocket

Medicare part B will pay for it if ordered by your provider.

Goldorak

Does anyone know where I could have a PCR test in Santorini, Greece ? I have been unable to find the info on the web by myself. Details are : I go to Santorini soon (from France), go back to France for less than 48hrs (basically 1,5 days) before going to another EU country. And I just discover that having been in Greece during the 14 period before going to this other country require me to have a PCR test no more that 72 hrs before.
I am investigating possibilities to have this test during my short “transit” in France, but the main challenge will be to have the result on-time. So I thought about doing it in Santorini. I know the airport JTR is obviously doing some, but I don’t know if I can go just like that not being an arriving passenger. I don’t know if there is any other test center on the island. Any info/suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.

stimpy

The route I took recently from CDG 2E check-in to terminal K had me walking above the new PCR testing area, so I am pretty sure you cannot access that area as a departing passenger without a special escort. But maybe there is another testing area that I did not notice. Check with ADP perhaps.

shihyin

I am on commercial plan and the testing is only covered according to CDC guidelines (those with symptoms and with close contact with confirmed/suspected cases). Plan specifically spells out not cover for travel screening. If rejected by the insurance, the amount I need to pay will likely to be more expensive than out of pocket price.

yvrcnx

We are booked to fly to Switzerland (from Canada) end of September and after a few days to Dusseldorf.
While we don't need to have any PCR test done for either country and any other country we are visiting afterwards, I am considering to have a test done in Dusseldorf at the airport upon arrival just so that we have the peace of mind (as long as it is negative) and don't need to worry.
We are also driving through Austria to Slovenia a few days later and currently Austria does require a PCR test though not for transits through the country I believe.

This is going to be a strange question but when I look at how the tests are done, especially through the nose, I get a little nervous since I get nosebleeds easily and the process looks extremely uncomfortable.
Have any of you had this test done and is it as uncomfortable as it looks? I think I know the answer but am hoping for some positive feedback.

I just keep telling myself that millions have done the test and how bad could it be.

stimpy

It is more uncomfortable that you can imagine. You will shed tears, guaranteed. Assuming they do it right. Probably not a nosebleed though. And you'll feel fine a minute or two later.

yvrcnx

Thank you....just what I wanted to hear......

FlyerEC

My friend had one done recently , it was swift & painless . The nurse kept talking while administering it & procedure was over before she knew it was even done !
A real relief to know .

Kevin AA

I had a covid test and there was no discomfort whatsoever. They swabbed both nasal cavities but not far enough up to bother me. I read that the original test required a long nasal swab way up into the nasal cavity but the new tests are more sensitive and don't require that.