so i just checked.... there are no places in the USA to get tested.. .. guess I will stip planning our trip..

I'm not sure what you're clicking on, but it's certainly not Etihad's "Approved Clinics and Travel Regulations" page that I linked to above. It provides relevant advice based on the city you enter.

For example Mumbai: or New York
If you're still having issues, it's worth clearing your browser cookies/cache and trying again.

This is not the future of air travel, sorry.

Absolutely no one will fly with this test rule unless they have a very strong necessity. For a tourist-focused place like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, they can forget all that money if they insist of this rule more than a few weeks.

I'm willing to bet that this rule is relaxed by end of August when they have to start flying almost empty planes due to the test restriction.

Most tests in the UK are being turned around within 48 hours and an increasing number within 24 hours. That was not always the case, but it is at the moment.


Not unlike the UK's blanket 14 day quarantine which barely lasted 3 weeks (after it was introduced 3 months too late), before a 60 country 'green' list was magicked up out of thin air.

Etihad and Emirates routes to and from SE Asia will just collapse if this dictate lasts for any length of time.

Zac.

Ok here's an idea ....Both Thailand and Laos have introduced some sort of swab test on arrival . ... Thailand are charging 3,000 baht ( $100 ) , which is a rip off , as expected from a greedy corrupt government , Laos it's free ....The swab costs less than $1, and takes about an hour for the result ....Why not set up a testing facility at the airport , just prior to check in , present a copy of your passport , link the test to the passport , check in and the results will be known before boarding ......I just heard while writing on BBC news , there is an article in today's Telegraph asking why hasn't anybody thought of this ......Just to add , I invested quite heaverly into the Etihad travel bank , but I'm not going to jump through hoops just to get away

Thailand has a time limit of 72 hours for incoming passengers and there are planeloads of repatriates and a few other categories arriving, so the timescales are being achieved in many places.

correct , then upon arrival you pay the 3,000 baht arrival test , placed in the Novotel for 14 nights quarentine ( at your expense ) , charged 5,000 baht a night , plus food and more compulsory tests ( extra ) ....after 14 nights your clear and presented with a bill of 100,000+ baht ....great way to start a holiday .......oh wait , and on your return home , another 14 days quarentine , because Thailand has lied to the WHO , because nobody inside the country has been tested .... the government can't make money out from the poor citizens , so why test locals

On the contrary.

Smart people will travel to places and on carriers which place a premium on their safety over the thread count in the hot towel.

The arrival test was discontinued when the 72 hours prior test was introduced, and there are ASQ hotels in a variety of price ranges and include the hospital (testing) services in the rate quoted Work permit holders or family members will be likely to pay but tourists not so much.

Flying Saturday AUH-MAN and have just done my pre-departure PCR test with SEHA on the Corniche, having booked it a few days ago - awaiting my results.
The staff at SEHA checked if I was a traveller and if so when my flight was and confirmed my ticket info to ensure my results would be ready in time..

The EY site states Mediclinic or any approved clinic. I double checked this with Twitter team too.

Just received an email from EY bringing testing requirements to my attention. As usual the message is contradictory - according to the email:

Where available, you must arrange your test with a Pure Health medical facility – test results from other clinics will not be accepted..

Will wait and see how this pans out!! Total Cluster as usual!!
-----

https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/pr...new_oct_19.jpg
Dear Mr xxxxxxx

Thank you for choosing to fly with Etihad Airways. As we get closer to your trip, we wanted to share some important information about your flight.

It’s time to arrange a COVID-19 PCR test

For peace of mind as you travel, it is mandatory to have a COVID-19 PCR test before you fly with Etihad Airways from any worldwide airport outside of Abu Dhabi. Your test must be carried out at an approved medical facility within 96 hours of your arrival time in Abu Dhabi.

Children under 12 and people with mild and severe disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing.

Find an approved clinic

Where available, you must arrange your test with a Pure Health medical facility – test results from other clinics will not be accepted.

Pure Health medical facilities

If there are no approved Pure Health facilities in your city or country of departure, please refer to our list of locally approved medical clinics to arrange your COVID-19 PCR test.
Simply visit etihad.com/destinationguide and enter your city or country of departure to find your closest clinic.

If you are flying from Pakistan, your test must be carried out at a Chughtai or Islamabad Diagnostic Centre (IDC) lab. Test results issued by any other clinic will not be accepted.

You must print your test result and keep it with you throughout your trip – you will be required to present your test result for validation at check-in.

Always check the latest travel regulations before you fly.

Learn more

If your test is positive or you are unable to present proof of your negative COVID-19 PCR test, you will not be permitted to travel. You can rearrange your flight for free, or cancel and use the value of your flight towards your next trip with Etihad Credit.

Change your flight

Your wellness, our priority
Your wellness is always our priority. That’s why we’ve taken extra steps to ensure you stay protected when you travel; like personal wellness kits on board and additional deep cleaning of all our aircraft and touchpoints. We’ve also introduced a dedicated team of Wellness Ambassadors who are available 24/7 to answer your questions and share advice.

Read our wellness guide

Flying to Abu Dhabi? You need ICA approval
If Abu Dhabi is your final destination, you must have ICA approval before you’ll be permitted to fly – you will not be able to board your flight otherwise.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are compliant with all ICA requirements before your flight.

Arriving at your destination
It’s really important that you follow the travel regulations that are in place around the world. This will help to keep you protected and limit the spread of COVID-19, and make sure that your travel plans are not disrupted.

Always check before you fly.

Check the latest travel regulations

Thank you again for flying with us, we wish you a very safe trip.

Kind regards
Etihad Airways

I got the same generic eMail reply to questions I asked via the Etihad Gold eMail addy, re the requirement about inputting AUE visa and National ID details on the Pure Health registration portal for those only transiting. It did however stress the use of Pure Health as above.

I have returned the eMail pointing out they have not answered my original question, lets wait and see what comes back this time.

Zac

Absolutely ridiculous , no-one will travel , unless extreme circumstances

Yep 3Kbht is a disgrace. I would also question the accuracy of these tests. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the cheap Chinese tests which were proven to be about 50% wrong. China made millions of them and needed an outlet to sell them. As we all know, the current Thai government Junta will buy anything from the PRC when the Chinese no longer have a use for them.

Re Thailand, it seems Etihad points to Samitivej Sukhumvit hospital Fast track Covid-19 Screening Package at a price of 6500THB.
I am trying to book a J ticket to Brussels around 1 september and Etihad appeared to be the cheapest.
No I will not make a stop 2 or 3 nights earlier to undergo a Covid-19 test in a departure country where there is no corona virus running around.
That would add at least 20K B to my trip....

Heathrow boss reckons testing there would be around £150 GBP, so 3,000 THB maybe not too bad?