HELP!!! covid testing questions

Hi all,
I am sure these questions have been answered many times! Forgive me for asking again. I have cancelled 3 trips so far, but I am determined to get back to Negril (APRIL)! What I want to know is, what specific covid test can I take that will get me on the plane in the US, AND into Jamaica? I know there is a 3 day time limit in getting the test and the results of the test. On some tests, the results are 1-2 days, and others are less. i am leaving on a Wednesday. Do i get the test on Sunday or Monday?
Thanks for your patience in advance!:confused::confused::confused:

You must get a Travel Authorization from the Jamaican Visitjamaica.com website. Here is what they have on the site at this moment:

STEP 1: Get a Travel Authorization

Apply for a Travel Authorization within 7 days of your travel date at https://travelauth.visitjamaica.com/. To apply, you will need to have your passport and travel plan information ready. The Travel Authorization certificate must be presented at the airline check-in counter.

STEP 2: Get a COVID-19 test

All travelers 12 years or older regardless of vaccination status, must present either a negative Antigen test or a negative molecular (PCR, RNA or NAA) test result taken within 3 days of departure to board a flight to Jamaica. Tests must be conducted by a lab that is accredited by the authorities in that country.

STEP 3: Go to the airport

If you have your Travel Authorization and your negative test result, head to the airport with your other travel documents.

STEP 4: Arrival processing

On arrival in Jamaica, routine health screening and risk assessment will be conducted along with immigration processing.

STEP 5: Enjoy Jamaica

Having cleared processing at the airport, travelers may proceed to their accommodation while observing all applicable protocols.

If you don't have your Travel Authorization, get it done asap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob

If you don't have your Travel Authorization, get it done asap.

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thanks Rob! i definitely will not forget that! i am not leaving until the end of april. you cant apply for that authorization until 7 days before departure. i appreciate your info!
i should rephrase my question.
what covid test are current, past, and future travelers using from UNITED STATES? CVS offers a Rapid diagnostic test(NAAT). Just wondering if this is acceptable.

By the end of April there probably will be no tests required....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ekfa51

thanks Rob! i definitely will not forget that! i am not leaving until the end of april. you cant apply for that authorization until 7 days before departure. i appreciate your info!
i should rephrase my question.
what covid test are current, past, and future travelers using from UNITED STATES? CVS offers a Rapid diagnostic test(NAAT). Just wondering if this is acceptable.

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CVS or Walgreen offers rapid test and yes I have used them. Our Indiana health dept or a urgent care offers the the PCR we used that in 2020 but it takes longer for results. Just go to CVS or Walgreens we got out results back in email within a few hours in our email. Coming back we took the test across from Coco Lapalm it cost $50 US and also got the results back in email in a few hours.

Rob, hopeful thinking. thank you!

Celinda, thank you! i appreciate that info!! i will be going to CVS!!!!
Jamiaca here i come!!! woo hoo!! 73 days!!!

Rob, hopeful thinking. thank you!

Celinda, thank you! i appreciate that info!! i will be going to CVS!!!!
Jamiaca here i come!!! woo hoo!! 73 days!!

I hope there are looser restrictions in April! I’m happy to hear that antigen tests are being accepted at this time for the return to the US. Do we get to swab ourself? I’m waiting to hit the book button!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cleome

I hope there are looser restrictions in April! I’m happy to hear that antigen tests are being accepted at this time for the return to the US. Do we get to swab ourself? I’m waiting to hit the book button!

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There may be less restrictions coming as soon as the 24th as the hospitalizations keep dropping. We are currently about half of what we were just a couple weeks ago.

And you cannot swab yourself, I had it done recently and I thought it tickled. That was at the outdoor tent facility across from Coco for us$40.

Please make an appointment online for your test at CVS or Walgreens to make sure there is availability. Be sure you request a rapid antigen test, you will get results much quicker.
If there’s no testing required you can easily cancel it.
The testing site across from CocoLapalm is walk in and easy.
It was $40pp for a rapid test, and it has to be one day before you fly home to the U.S.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lorax2

Please make an appointment online for your test at CVS or Walgreens to make sure there is availability. Be sure you request a rapid antigen test, you will get results much quicker.
If there’s no testing required you can easily cancel it.
The testing site across from CocoLapalm is walk in and easy.
It was $40pp for a rapid test, and it has to be one day before you fly home to the U.S.

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thanks Lorax! i will definitely make an appointment! long time.....no see!! say hello to Cindy!!

Just got back from our "happy place". Jan. 26 - Feb. 16. Just some observations. USA. We are triple vaccinated . We did the travel authorization forms, the rapid anti-gen tests {negative}. We never were asked to show proof in the Minneapolis airport, and never asked to show it at MBJ. Then did the swab in Negril, before going back. Not pleasant. In US, it was only supposed to be the swab in the outer edges of the nostril. No problem. The nurse in Negril shoved it way up. Still feeling it. Gave me the willys. {tested negative} So, yeah we did what we are supposed to do. Then we get to MBJ, standing in line waiting, the lady in front of us, did not get the JA test done, which we thought was what we are required to do. The ticketing agent just let her go through, after the lady showed proof that she was only vaccinated. WTF? I'm confused. So, is there no requirement? We could have spent that $80 on more Red Stripe. This was just our experience. Good luck. Cool Runnings.

Just to agree with RRF 2nd time getting the test across from Co Co La palm very aggressive -last year I had sinus problems (bruised my sinus) this year same aggressive unnecessary DEEP swabbing. ughhh
Anybody else have this issue? I have had 8 other covid swab tests in US- no problems--

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rocknrollfarmer

Just got back from our "happy place". Jan. 26 - Feb. 16. Just some observations. USA. We are triple vaccinated . We did the travel authorization forms, the rapid anti-gen tests {negative}. We never were asked to show proof in the Minneapolis airport, and never asked to show it at MBJ. Then did the swab in Negril, before going back. Not pleasant. In US, it was only supposed to be the swab in the outer edges of the nostril. No problem. The nurse in Negril shoved it way up. Still feeling it. Gave me the willys. {tested negative} So, yeah we did what we are supposed to do. Then we get to MBJ, standing in line waiting, the lady in front of us, did not get the JA test done, which we thought was what we are required to do. The ticketing agent just let her go through, after the lady showed proof that she was only vaccinated. WTF? I'm confused. So, is there no requirement? We could have spent that $80 on more Red Stripe. This was just our experience. Good luck. Cool Runnings.

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thank you for the info! i appreciate it!