Which COVID-19

tests are required for international travel?

It depends on where

you’re going.

In an effort to

limit the spread of new coronavirus variants, many countries are requiring

incoming travellers to show a recent negative test.

The US, for

example, will accept results from either a test that detects the genetic

material of the virus — considered the most sensitive type of test — or a rapid

test that looks for viral proteins called antigens. The tests must have been

taken no more than three days before departing for the US.

Health

professionals usually give more sensitive lab tests via a nasal swab that take

a day or more to yield results. Rapid tests have a turnaround time of about 15

to 30 minutes and are increasingly used to screen people at testing sites,

offices, schools and nursing homes. For some rapid tests, users can swab

themselves at home.

With either test,

the US requires electronic or printed proof of the negative result from a medical

laboratory. That means that even if you plan to get the faster test you’ll

likely need to see a health care provider who can provide documentation.

England has a

similar setup, accepting results from both types of tests. But health

authorities there are imposing extra requirements, including that the tests

meet certain thresholds for accuracy. Travellers are told to check to make sure

their test meets the standards.

After countries

instituted varying requirements, officials in the European Union agreed to

standardise requirements across the 27-nation bloc.