Xyzzy

Will France accept the BinaxNW / eMed test results?

FlyingfromDC

The app produces a QR code, but I’m planning on printing out the results so it looks more similar to a regular lab produced report and we don’t have to worry about wifi connectivity.

I made my decision: I’m going to present the Abbott BinaxNow certificate for my kids to test this out for outbound. I have also scheduled a free rapid test at CVS pharmacy the day before our flight, so I can pull that up should either United or Germany have an issue with the BinaxNow home test certificate. I know us adults are good to go with just vaccination cards, and we will have the BinaxNow home test certificates just for our peace of mind.

As for return to the U.S., I have printed out United ads that say to use the BinaxNow kit for the return.... I’m less worried about that part.

exp

Are you flying soon?

Would be good to get some actual reports on the ground when you try to transit to or enter an EU country.

I could print it out but rather save a PDF and show that so I don't have to carry a paper.

FlyingfromDC

Yes, I can report back in less than 2 weeks.

FlyingfromDC

Update: Not sure if this is recently updated verbiage re: accepted tests in Germany, but this is what it says at https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/...ublicationFile:

“In addition, antigen tests for the direct detection of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are recognised from all countries. It is required that they fulfil the minimum criteria recommended by WHO for the quality of SARS-CoV-2 antigen detecting rapid diagnostic tests.“

So from ALL countries...

Also it continues: “... testing must have been conducted or supervised in the Federal Republic of Germany or abroad by a service provider pursuant to section 6 (1) of the Coronavirus Testing Ordinance (Coronavirus-Testverordnung) or, in the context of company-based testing for the purpose of occupational health and safety, by staff who have the required training, knowledge and experience or must have been conducted or supervised abroad by an entity authorised to do so under the law of the country concerned.The third party must also verify and confirm the identity of the person tested by means of an official photo ID.”

BinaxNow checks the boxes for the requirements above.

curt

Here‘s the list of tests accepted in the EU: https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/de...on-list_en.pdf

FlyingfromDC

Isn’t the Abbott Panbio on this list essentially a sister product to Abbott BinaxNow? One is a card and one is a cassette.

Furthermore, German travel test requirements specifically say that “antigen tests for the direct detection of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are recognised from ALL countries.”

So I interpret that to mean a U.S. rapid test is perfectly fine for transit through a German airport. Am I missing something? I guess ultimately it still depends on the agent inspecting the test certificate... What worries me is that some have reported Lufthansa giving them a hard time at least when inquiring over the phone, but that may be because the agent does not really understand the telehealth component of BinaxNow. 🤔

curt

The tests marked as yellow in the doc are recognized by all EU countries. If a US test is not on the list, you might face problems.

oliver2002

The key to the BinaxNow tests (which meet the standards) is that the swab was taken under supervision and that the testing lab certifies the negative result is from the swab taken under supervsion. Your test report has to show that. Doing the test onto yourself will not work because the swab may not have been taken correctly and the report generated is not certified be from a swab taken from you. The various video supervision outfits are super borderline.

Just go to the closest CVS or Walgreen and get the antigen test done.

FlyingfromDC

BinaxNow is supervised and good enough for the CDC. Attached is how the lab report looks like. I’ll try this with Lufthansa in a couple of days, but will have a backup from CVS.

FlyingfromDC

I flew with family IAD to Frankfurt, with onward connection from there to a country that also accepts antigen tests. United happily accepted the tests at IAD, and German official reviewed and accepted them at Frankfurt passport control. When I asked “shouldn’t vaccination cards be enough” both the United agent and Frankfurt border control official just ignored my question and repeated their request for negative test results, also for children.

We had CVS test as a backup for our youngest, but it was never needed. Super happy with Abbott BinaxNow!

I do wonder if we run into any issues on our return when the first leg is on Lufthansa and 2nd on United? I’ve seen lots of people board LH successfully with this test, but some have reported trouble. I’m sure if you call Lufthansa to ask that they will just say a plain no, as they don’t understand how this test works under supervision (and that a formal lab report is produced). I’ll take my chances.

exp

How long did the emed/binax Now kit take to ship?

did they have some pricey express shipping option?

FlyingfromDC

There is only 1 shipping option: overnight FedEx. I think it was $14.95. The test kits should not be in temps higher than about 86 F, so they don’t want them compromised in long transit.

I personally did not mind the cost at all, given the convenience and lack of stress testing kids terrified of going to a clinic for a swab. There was also no stress about whether or not the results would be in on time. We did save some money by paying for the kits with an HSA card, so at least it was pretax dollars.

exp

Thanks, good feedback.

I'm leaving in a week to France and hoping to schedule a test this upcoming weekend.

Also been researching testing options in France, which is providing free testing to everyone this summer.

However, this home kit might be worth it as a backup.

Xyzzy

FYI - we used the test to fly back to the US from PPT. It worked fine. The NAVICA app now reprts the time since being tested i hours vs. the days reported above...