Test to Return to the USA? Pharmacy Test?
 

Do you think the tests they do at the pharmacy will be ok to use to return to the USA? Has anyone used the pharmacy antigen test to return to the USA? Did you have any problems?

The USA accepts rapid tests, so I don't see any issue. We just used rapid tests on our way back from Costa Rica. I really doubt anyone checks them anyway, airline just needs to see something saying "Negative" to let you board.

I got tested at a pharmacy in Paris in April. No problem at all at CDG on the way back to the US. Antigen tests are accepted.

Thanks!

​​​​​
I remember reading that France is offering complimentary covid test for visitors (this would be useful for my return to the US) - do you know how to get one or was the one you took in the pharmacy free for you as well? Cheers :)

It was free for me by showing my French passport (dual citizen). Not sure how much the covid test will cost in France.

Ah lovely. Thank you.

I got mine today and it was free as a non-citizen. My hotel told me to book it on https://www.doctolib.fr/ and it was free. My hotel said they think if you just walk into a pharmacy it would be free but was not positive so suggested I use that website. I would suggest just walking into a pharmacy when you arrive in France to see if it’s free and if not just make an appointment on that website. If you’re from the US just remember to put a + sign in front of your phone number when registering.

I did my antigen AND RT-PCR tests in Paris on Monday, needed to come back to Switzerland by train cuz, well, Ile-de-France is on the red list. But anyway, there are plenty of white tents in the streets (see one near St-Lazare and Printemps department store, one outside Gap store Rue Auber, one in Chatelet-Les Halles near Fontaine des Innocents, etc). They are usually manned by nearby pharmacies. Non-citizen can do tests for free BUT you need a French mobile phone number. They were stressing out that they had too many problems with non-French numbers where people would not receive the SMS with the link to retrieve the results. They do give you a little paper with a website and QR code where you're supposed to be able to get your results but you wouldn't be alerted when it's ready.

You just need to sign up there, no long queues from what I noticed. Put in your info, and the phone number and then wait in line. The antigen test comes back after 10-15min. The PCR took a bit less than 24h. Did mine on Saturday at 11am and got the result on Sunday at around 10am. Used my friend's French number.
It's free, just say you're a tourist and don't have a carte Vitale.

Lovely! Thank you all for your replies! :)

Other than the timing, is the patient “experience” different between the antigen and PCR tests?

No. Same sampling.

Yes they stick the swab deeper in your nose with a PCR than an antigen test.

just did our return to USA tests at a pharmacy in Paris. Can confirm the antigen test was no big deal. Easier than the PCR nose test, but worse than the saliva tests at home. Kids whined, but that’s their primary function.

We did have to pay. I understand that is not how it is supposed to work, but with the language barrier and ease of transaction, it was easier to just pay and be done.

How soon do you receive results? And how do you receive them?