Thought we could start a thread to share some of our personal experiences in traveling and meeting all the various Covid testing/vaccination requirements out there. Of course all this is with the huge caveat that requirements are constantly changing. YMMV You should always independently verify! And it has been reported that airlines also make mistakes in understanding the rules. One member reported she prints out the latest rules and has had some luck with showing these to the airline personnel.
IATA has a map of country rules here - https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php
United has an easy to use guide too - https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/international-map.html
Watch out for the rules of the transit countries too.
Egypt & UK
We heard today from a traveler currently in Giza.
"Egypt entry was straight forward. You do the normal buy a visa (if ambitious & bored, you can do ahead of time) or wait maybe 15 min & get it at a booth before passing to immigration ($25USD).
From immigration to a quick customs stop & you are on your way.
The only Covid step is you fill out a health declaration form (you can preprint) & present a printed negative test result as you exit the plane. They seemingly cared little for a vax card or MDs certificate of recovery.
If you happen to transit via LHR, use on line Verifly and the UK Covid locator portal to make transit a breeze. "
Germany
I was in Munich at the end of September and all they required was a vaccination card. The little CDC card we get in the US worked fine for country entry and also for entry at the Hofbräuhaus.
Getting COVID tests....
I can get a free COVID test through my healthcare provider, which can work for straight forward trips. Somehow my trips seem to involve multiple transits or layovers of a day before proceeding so being told the result will be back in 48 hours doesn't work so well. To get a guarenteed 12 hour / same day result I've been using the test sites that are at my local airports (SJC and SFO). Not free but work for what I need.
For return to the US a test is also needed. I've always had them done in whatever country I'm visiting, usually arranged by the hotel or local travel agent. One member reported that he bought some "home" tests from eMed (other sources also available) for the flight home. You perform the test yourself while connected to the agent who monitors the testing. You do need an internet connection for this on a smartphone or laptop. Results within minutes. Note that though these tests meet US entry requirements, they may or may not be ok for travel that is not directly back to the US.
October 27 Update - changes in policy for entering the US to take effect November 8.
Replies
Traveling around holidays can be a problem. We live in San Francisco Bay Area and need nearby same day results PCR testing sites.
Kenya: We are going to Kenya the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it requires a negative PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before arrival. Kaiser and most places give PCR results within 3 days, too long with travel time.
A test on Wednesday when the arrival will be on Sunday is not within 96 hours, and labs are closed on Thanksgiving Thursday.
Next day results for a test on Friday, results being promised by 7pm the next day, is too late to check in for our 6:15pm flight.
We will need to get same day results on Friday. Luckily McCambell lab in Pittsburg CA https://covid.mccampbell.com/ has same day results for $50 more than next day results, so $150. Does anyone know another place with same day PCR tests?
Nice! Cheers.