COVID-19 Test For Travellers: 7 Dos & Don’ts To Follow If You Have To Carry A Negative Report

by Suchismita Pal
COVID-19 Test For Travellers: 7 Dos & Don’ts To Follow If You Have To Carry A Negative Report

Domestic travel has already opened up, and international travel too is resuming gradually with the introduction of bilateral bubble arrangements. However, the matter that is creating a lot of hassle among many travellers is the mandate to carry COVID-19 negative certificates. Many do not know what kind of tests are to be done, when they will get the reports, what exact documents they need to produce, etc. Even more, some people are still scared of taking the test. As confirmed by many, the test involves a simple process of collecting the swab from the nose or mouth and it is a necessary step by the authorities to ensure the safety of the travellers. So, if you’re travelling, and told to take a virus test, don’t panic. Instead, follow these 7 tips to ease down your woes:

1. Understand The Type Of Test And The Timing Required

Before you travel, you will get detailed guidelines about the required test in the airport or state website. If you’re travelling with the aid of an agency, you might get the details from there too. Read the guidelines carefully and check what type of test you need to take and before how much time. You might be told to take an RT-PCR test, or in some cases, a rapid antigen test might suffice. The authorities will give you a time period for taking the test. For example, you might have to ensure that your test is not older than three days before boarding the flight. Meanwhile, Maharashtra has mandated COVID-19 tests for people coming from Delhi, Goa, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Negative COVID-19 Test Report
Picture Credits: Unsplash

2. Avoid Booking Slots In The Last Minute

Booking the test in the last minute can give rise to the problem of unavailability of slots. So, once your travelling is confirmed and you’re updated about the requirement of a negative certificate, book your test without delay. If you’re unable to get tested during the specified time period due to slot unavailability, you might have to face troubles like travel ban or quarantine.

Negative COVID-19 Test Report
Picture Credits: Unsplash

Also Read: I Travelled To The Maldives During The Pandemic & Here Are The COVID Protocols You Must Know!

3. Confirm The Turnaround Time Of The Test

Always confirm the turnaround time of your virus test. For example, if you get your test done two days before your flight, ensure that you get your reports before boarding the flight. Contact the laboratory two to three days before taking the test to know about the turnaround time.

Negative COVID-19 Test Report
Picture Credits: Medium

4. Check If The Destination Airport is Offering COVID-19 Test

Many airports are offering COVID-19 tests to incoming travellers with fast results. Before travelling, check if there is a similar facility in your destination airport too. In that case, even if you’re unable to take a test before the flight, you might get tested after deboarding. However, it is always advisable to take a test before boarding the flight for the safety of other travellers as well. In fact, in most cases, it is compulsory for travellers to undergo the test prior to the flight’s departure.

5. Take Note If There Are Different Requirements For Children And Adults

There might be different test requirements for people of different ages, like children, adults and elderly people, Also, do check if there are any specifications for patients with comorbidities. In case you’re travelling with your children or elderly family members, ensure that you know the different protocols.

Negative COVID-19 Test Report
Picture Credits: ABC Action News

6. Include The Testing Cost In Your Travel Budget

You’ll have to shell out a considerable amount for COVID-19 test ( unless there are provisions for free test in the state or country). The amount will be higher for the ones who need to get tested twice, before boarding the flight and after landing at the airport. In many cases, if the arriving passenger tests positive for the virus, the authorities send that person to quarantine, mandating another test after the quarantine period. Therefore, the cost of these tests need to be included in the overall travel budget.

Negative COVID-19 Test Report
Picture Credits: Time Magazine

7. Do Not Board The Flight If You Test Positive

If you undergo a test before your flight, and your result comes to be virus positive, do not board the flight. If you’re asked to show the report before flying, the airport authorities will stop you from travelling. Even if you do not need to pass through any of these checks, refrain from travelling in case you test positive. The virus is still spreading like wildfire and you might end up infecting several other people. So, stay responsible and travel with utmost safety. Here’s a first-hand travel experience from the USA to the UK during the COVID-19 outbreak: