TPRun

Thank you for this! Extremely helpful. It seems for Aruba it is a PCR test rather than LFT is accepted.
From Sherpa: Travelers are required to have a negative COVID-19 molecular (RT-PCR, PCR, NAAT, AMP PRB, LAMP, or TMA) test result in English, Dutch, or Spanish. The test must be a maximum of 3 days before departure of the last leg of the trip to Aruba. Travelers must upload their test, no later than 12 hours before departure, in their travel form.

We arrive JFK on 13 from UK, fly on 17 to Aruba so will try to get a test done on the 14th to cover the 3 days before dept. requirement.

Thank you for your help!

stimpy

If I had that itinerary, when I arrive at JFK I would walk over to the airline counter for whomever is flying me to Aruba and asking them for the current regs. Websites are not always accurate or up to date, but the local staff at the serving airline will know exactly what they will check at the airport.

nrr

I had a PCR test at NYU Langone in Lake Success, NY (via my primary care physician), I took the test at 1 PM and had the results by 7 PM the same day..

AMflier

Due to a possible exposure I went to the NYC Health & Hospitals location in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It was run by a subcontractor called DocGo. They did a rapid test and a PCR test by double swabbing me.
Rapid results were on my phone in 20 min
PCR results took about 30 hrs.
They never asked for my insurance info or payment.

progapanda

The City's own public hospital system runs several testing locations across the City, most of which offer PCR (results may take longer than 24-30 hours these days) and rapid antigen testing at no cost. You don't have to be a resident to participate and insurance coverage is not a requirement.

https://www.nychealthandhospitals.or...testing-sites/

ijgordon

I would definitely avoid the LabWorq tents that have been popping up. Earlier this month we got results in just over 24 hours, but they haven't been able to keep pace with apparently skyrocketing testing volumes. They were advising 24-48 hours but it was about 80. Lots of complaints on social media about turnaround times.

The LabQ vans generally seem to be better (but longer lines! Though they move quickly). A few weeks ago results were back in ~12 hours, although now we're at about 32 hours and still waiting. They do PCR and rapid antigens, but it's the same Binax tests you can buy at the drugstore. Some countries seem to accept these, I suppose you get "official" results vs. a home test, but there are a lot of false negatives with these as they're not as sensitive as PCR.

CityMD is advising 3-5 days. My problem with CityMD was how long the visit took (it was like a full Dr visit), but I haven't tested there in about a year.
Northwell Health urgent care requires appointments, of which there were few.
ClearMD (a handful of locations) requires appointments, rare to find same-day but usually there are plenty of next-day. Regular PCR is free (24-48h) but they have faster options for $$, and also do Rapid antigen ($60).

AMflier

As mentioned above, demand for testing in NYC has skyrocketed. Expect long lines at walk in sites and difficulty getting appointments. The walk in testing sites in my neighborhood wait times went from minutes to several hours this week. I have not heard about wait times for results.

stimpy

I saw long lines last week both in mid-town and uptown, but only in the late morning and afternoon. The early bird gets the worm.

Another reason to go early is in the case you get an invalid result. Which is probably happening more often these days with the volume. If that happens, you can rush back over and get them to repeat the test.

ijgordon

The longest lines by me at the LabQ vans were right when they opened. YMMV obviously.

aimango

IDK why people still go to CityMD, they are the most frustrating as they make you do a long sign up flow and then take your vitals before doing your actual test. It makes the whole process take a lot longer than it needs to be. And then you end up getting your test 4 days after, which is completely useless for travel purposes (and also just for general testing).

LabQ has been really great for me in the past, though there are long lines often in the midtown locations. The Chelsea one tends to be pretty empty though (14th St).

I've also used CTS Mobile Van recently this past Friday (they usually park near 5th Ave/42nd St) and it was <30mins with the PCR results coming in <24 hrs. They make everyone do both Rapid + PCR which is convenient and reassuring.

Blumie

I saw a LabQ van parked on 34th St on Friday with no wait, so I got myself swabbed (at no cost). They were advising a 48-hour turnaround, but it’s now past that mark (although not by much) and I don’t have my results. What has people’s recent experience with them been?

By the way, as most people in NYC know, by Saturday getting tested was much more difficult and generally required waiting in long lines. Even the home rapid tests were hard to find (although I found the CVS app very helpful on tracking some down).

ijgordon

LabQ is currently taking 4-5 days. They say they're trying to bring it down to 36 hours. The NYAG admonished them for continuing to say 24 hours when the turnaround time ballooned.

The home tests seemed to be well-stocked the last couple of days, at least in a Duane Reade by me.

I think things will quiet a bit in the coming days, everyone's over-testing given (1) COVID really has been spreading quickly and (2) people want to visit family for Xmas as safely as possible. #2 goes away any day though #1 is anyone's guess. Hopefully the spike is quick, like in South Africa.

Red259

I got my Lab Q PCR results in 3 1/2 days. Antigen tests in an hour and a half.

knit-in

Where can I get a PCR in T8 JFK? A relative is flying to DEL and their 72 hour PCR result has not come yet.

Anyone know what the procedure is? Are the testing sites at JFK able to get the result within a certain (short) time frame, or does one board and not know whether they tested negative or not till they arrive at the destination?

UKtravelbear

No idea about testing at JFK. I’d be looking at the JFK website for starters.

But your relative won’t be getting on the plane without a negative test result.