how to understand "at most 72 hours" for PCR?
 

how to understand "at most 72 hours" ?

My understanding of 72-hour is the time I took a PCR test (not the time I receive the result) until the depature time of my first flight?

If I take a test on Tuesday at 3pm afternoon, and I got a result on Wednesday morning, my flight (nonstop to IST) on Friday departures at 11am and arrival at IST 5pm,

there is no problem because the arrival time at IST is more than 72 hours?

What if my flight is delayed and depatures at 4pm on Friday. Is the PCR test still valid?

or the worst-case scenario, if my flight on Friday is cancelled, they put me on the Saturday flight at 11AM. Do I need to take a PCR test again?

Thank you!

What is the exact wording? ‘At most 72 hours...’ seems pretty clear to me.

The countdown starts from the time your test was taken, not when you receive the result. Some countries require it to be max. 72h before your flight to that country departs, others before the flight arrives. Make sure you read your destination's wording carefully.
In any case, the times refer to scheduled departure / arrival times, delays don't matter unless they are very long (i.e. only fly the next day).

This depends on the destination. The clock always starts counting from the time the sample is taken. But the time limit coud apply to first flight departing, last flight departing or arrival time at destination.

For TK/IST it's the time between when the sample is taken and the flight's scheduled departure time from the originating country.

As with all international travel, one should check TIMATIC for the precise language. For a US national traveling nonstop from the US to Turkey:-

Until 30 May 2021, passengers must have a negative COVID-19
PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the
first embarkation point.

I have no idea whether that might vary for other permutations and thus you will need to double-check based on your specific situation. You should also continue to check as this is a requirement which could change on short notice.

https://tr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/

that's a good source. So...the PCR test requirement has been extended to May 30? My flight to Turkey is a week before or so. . Was hoping they would drop it Apr 15, but now hoping they drop it May 15?

Going to go down to the wire. Cases / deaths will drop back soon. It's connected to air quality / winter weakness (Lack of UV-B)

Air pollution may be ‘key contributor’ to Covid-19 deaths – study

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...9-deaths-study

https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/fil...n-Istanbul.pdf

page 9 shows the seasonal variation in 2017...spikes in air pollution match Turkey spikes. Same in various other places around the world.


So..this is happening in Turkey/Istanbul. Nothing to do with lockdowns/masks. But authorities (around the world) are brainwashed.


from 2017 - but good archived Berkeley Earth images

https://www.careourearth.com/seasona...lution-turkey/

Recent air quality info:
https://www.duvarenglish.com/air-pol...mir-news-55336

low precipitation = less cleaning of air by rain to...shifting weather patterns..that's a global thing.

Istanbul reservoirs observe lowest water levels of decade (Dec)

https://www.duvarenglish.com/istanbu...ade-news-55334

Photos from Ankara in Oct 2008! It's only gotten worse. 2x cars, 20% increase in population! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4ffa95b5aa.png


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cf51a599d0.png

The sample for the test must have been taken within 72 hours prior to the passenger's scheduled departure from the country of origin.

https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-t...ons/index.html

I see the TIMATIC first embarkation point.

But the Turkish airlines wording seems like on the flight that leaves COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

Have SEA-ORD-IST.

SEA-ORD flight is late AM. ORD-IST is 2135pm. Does this mean 72 hours from SEA-ORD or ORD-IST?

If it's on a separate ticket, don't risk it and take your test at most 72 hours earlier from the ORD-IST flight.
The guidance is not clear on connecting itineraries and just mention first point of embarkation.

it's on same ticket. Thanks for the clarification. Found a place near me that does 36 hours, with $60 for 24 hour results.

So...covered...either way but just wanted to clarify!

One more question related to this. On my ticket (CGK - IST - IAD), it seems to defer to the US Government's testing requirements:

1. Quote:

   ---

   Our passengers are required to submit a negative PCR (nucleic acid test) or antigen test result that sample was taken maximum 3 calendar days before the departure time of their flight.

   ---

Of note, the policy requires a PCR test or antigen test. Antigen tests are MUCH faster and cheaper than PCR tests, so will TK allow me to board with just a negative Rapid Antigen Test?

Yes. TK will follow the published requirements of your destination country, in this case the US. As of today, the requirements published in TIMATIC are

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c0a267bd84.png

As mentioned yes, TK would accept an antigen test on USA flights, however, without a PCR test you wouldn't be able to enter Turkey during your layover and you must stay in the international transit zone during your entire stay.

I am hoping that USA will start accepting Vaccinated Passengers without having to go through a PCR and/or Antigen Test. Most European Countries will be applying this standard with 30-45 days. I am hoping that Turkey will soon also accept Vaccination Certificate instead of PCR Test as well.

I will believe that when it happens. And I don't believe it happens before a standardized, reasonably forgery-proof intl. vaccination certificate has been agreed upon.