This looks like an absolutely no-hassle COVID test. But what about the cost?
77 thoughts on “New 15 Minute In-The-Terminal COVID Testing Options”
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This looks like an absolutely no-hassle COVID test. But what about the cost?
Comments are closed.
So. Ya think Obama and fam had to do 72-hour COVID tests before their visit this week? Somehow I bet not.
Thanks for all the up to date info about testing and quarantine. We are due to fly AUS – DFW – OGG (Maui) on 12/30. Last Wednesday evening (about 6 PM CST) we got online with Walgreens and got appointments for Sunday test times for their rapid NAAT test. They have more locations for the 2 to 3 day response NAAT and also have an antigen test (not approved for HI travel). Took our test in our car (self administered shallow nasal swab) around noon and received our Negative results email at 2:07 PM with .pdf attached. Uploaded to the Safe Travel site along with a recent photo. Waiting for email, 24 hours before flight, to fill out health check info and get QR Code. So far so good for a free test. Plan C was paying $250 each for quick response test at DFW.
Hi Dan.
Thanks for letting us know. That Walgreen timing was pretty amazing.
Aloha.
I did the same thing in Orlando. Had my results in 33 minutes! Everything worked as it should! Following the guidelines and the rules work! Been in Hawaii for 7 weeks, 4 more to go! The beauty never changes.
Aloha! I’m traveling to Maui on February 2. I’m flying out of Chicago. So much confusion on the testing. I just read that Ohare is testing on site for a fee😞. My question is is that an acceptable test if negative to enter Maui? Only certain labs and tests are allowed. I understand the need for sago but it’s really confusing and limited information and testing within a 72hour window. Hawaii needs to expand the turnaround time. Thoughts and advice welcome! Thank you!
Hi Tammy.
It needs to be a test with one of the trusted partners found on this page: https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/travel-partners/. There’s been much talk about changing to 96 hours, but so far it’s just conjecture.
Aloha.
What good was the Safe Hawaii travel portal when we took the test at 10am Dec 24th by Xpress out of Phoenix and uploaded everything necessary and flew out on the 26th, results of upload was still pending even when we arrived at Honolulu 7 hrs later- good thing we had the hard copy results!
So they let you go on about your trip by showing them the hard copy?
I would test for free at 72 hours, then hope I received my results in time.
I could fly to my connecting airport, if I do not have a non-stop to the islands, and then if my results are not back from the 72-hour test window, which is quite common actually, I would then test at the airport using this new rapid test program and pay the $200 so I can continue on my way to Hawaii.
When I was returning to Hawaii in November, I made three different attempts to test at Walgreens for free, and all three tests came back more than 72 hours later, and since I was testing in the Las Vegas area, I had to get flights to Oakland before connecting to my Hawaii flight. My experience was, I had to test in Oakland at the terminal and wait about 12 hours for my result which forced me to get a hotel and take a flight to Hawaii the next day.
The free testing from Walgreens was useless because they cannot return it in time, especially if I have a connecting flight in another airport or state. I can’t comfortably depart Las Vegas knowing that might arrive to my collecting airport with no negative test in hand.
It’s a huge problem for travelers heading to Hawaii, this is why I suggest removing the testing time up to 96 hours.
Do you have any update on how those who have been vaccinated will be treated. Seems like we need some type of certification. It seems like overkill to get vaccinated and then require a COVID test.
Just because you have been vaccinated, doesn’t mean that you cannot get Covid.
Then why get vaccinated? Not that it’s available be to the general public yet anyway. HI has the right to do what it wants in regards to testing…I understand that, what has turned me off from traveling there is the the ugly nasty comments against tourists from locals. If they dont want me to visit, fine, i will go someplace where they do. Part of the Laure was the aloha…it has left the state apparently.
When I flew to Kauai in November, Kauai was still in the Safe Travels program. I was surprised that my negative test result wasn’t checked until I arrived in Hawaii. There were not checks or screening done at the point of departure.
It would be safer for travelers and reduce the potential spread if airlines would check the safe travels negative test results BEFORE allowing passengers to board flights to Hawaii (or anywhere for that matter). As far as I know, now travelers can choose to not take a test and to quarantine in Hawaii for 10 days. That means that potentially infected people can get on a plane and infect others. Why is this allowed?
I’m assuming this rapid test is the antigen test? This is probably the best, up to the minute test option available for air travelers.
It’s too bad about the cost, particularly when the FDA recently approved a $30/15 minute at home test.
This is Not the Antigen test, it’s the PCR (NAAT) test.
So can you use the airport testing facility if you fly an airline other than Hawaiian?
Yes, doesn’t matter who you fly with. XpressCheck does it for anyone and it’s imperative to make an appointment with them as they actually take appts at least a week or 2 out unlike CVS or Walgreens which is no more than 3 days out.
Hawaiians have made it clear they’d rather starve than have tourists. We’ll be going elsewhere..no covid test required.
Justifiable comment but you can now add New York to that list of “rather starve than have tourists”! Hawaii isn’t the only one anymore using that approach!
Yes finding other options….lots of places actually like having tourism.
Stacy, just curious where you are going to vacation instead of HI? I need options too.
$200….. If Hawaii wants my money they will need to pay for the test! Especially when they can close businesses at will. I will go elsewhere.