Questions for those who have travelled from Canada to USA

Johnny Abruzzo

1ThoughtKnown said:

Johnny Abruzzo said:

Well let me tell you, if you get to Florida, nobody is gonna care if your vaccinated or even if you bother wearing a mask.

Part of the reason it is frightening to go. No one cares and you get Covid and have to pay for an additional 14 days in the US under quarantine. 

Honestly I really shouldn't pick on Florida. Pennsylvania isn't much different, but at least the school mask mandate is still in effect. It's probably gonna be gone in a month or so.

Meltdown99

Apparently they will now be more flexible at the border with people coming back…

you know what never fails.  The vaccine receipt in my wallet…

Too bad Canada did not have a competent government somewhere, anywhere?

BLACK35

Well have to say that was pretty smooth getting thru all the security. Had all my ducks in a row. It took just under an hr to get thru it all. Just waiting now

oftenreading

BLACK35 said:

Well have to say that was pretty smooth getting thru all the security. Had all my ducks in a row. It took just under an hr to get thru it all. Just waiting now

Best of luck for a smooth, safe and great trip. 

PJNB

There are other cheaper tests you can use to arrive back in Canada. We got a NAATs test and it was cheaper with quicker results than a PCR. You have to have the test 72hrs or sooner from the time of your scheduled departure flight not when you actually cross the border. Also keep in mind that if you have a connecting flight and not a direct flight from Florida to Canada you have to use the time of your connecting flights departure as the time stamp on the 72hrs. 

Acceptable tests to get back into Canada

PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)


Also to get into the US you have to test the day before you travel. The actual time of the test does not matter. You can also use an anitgen test for this method which helps with those stricter timelines and the wallet. 

1ThoughtKnown

PJNB said:

There are other cheaper tests you can use to arrive back in Canada. We got a NAATs test and it was cheaper with quicker results than a PCR. You have to have the test 72hrs or sooner from the time of your scheduled departure flight not when you actually cross the border. Also keep in mind that if you have a connecting flight and not a direct flight from Florida to Canada you have to use the time of your connecting flights departure as the time stamp on the 72hrs. 


PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)


Also to get into the US you have to test the day before you travel. You can also use an anitgen test for this method which helps with those stricter timelines and the wallet. 

All decent advice, but I doubt it was cheaper than free. 

1ThoughtKnown

…..

PJNB

1ThoughtKnown said:

PJNB said:

There are other cheaper tests you can use to arrive back in Canada. We got a NAATs test and it was cheaper with quicker results than a PCR. You have to have the test 72hrs or sooner from the time of your scheduled departure flight not when you actually cross the border. Also keep in mind that if you have a connecting flight and not a direct flight from Florida to Canada you have to use the time of your connecting flights departure as the time stamp on the 72hrs. 


PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)


Also to get into the US you have to test the day before you travel. You can also use an anitgen test for this method which helps with those stricter timelines and the wallet. 

All decent advice, but I doubt it was cheaper than free. 

Free is good!  I actually took the time and read the whole thread all caught up now lol.

1ThoughtKnown

PJNB said:

1ThoughtKnown said:

PJNB said:

There are other cheaper tests you can use to arrive back in Canada. We got a NAATs test and it was cheaper with quicker results than a PCR. You have to have the test 72hrs or sooner from the time of your scheduled departure flight not when you actually cross the border. Also keep in mind that if you have a connecting flight and not a direct flight from Florida to Canada you have to use the time of your connecting flights departure as the time stamp on the 72hrs. 


PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)


Also to get into the US you have to test the day before you travel. You can also use an anitgen test for this method which helps with those stricter timelines and the wallet. 

All decent advice, but I doubt it was cheaper than free. 

Free is good!  I actually took the time and read the whole thread all caught up now lol.

Hahaha. All good my man! 

BLACK35

Well we get to head home today, the wife and I both passed our PCR tests. It was a little nerve racking for myself waiting, I had to call the testing site and get them to hunt out my results. Slept like 3 hrs last night because ideas worrying too much. But set to go, I hope, fingers crossed.
Oh and we got the PCR tests for free

ST66483

Piggybacking on this former thread.  I have EV tix and am just trying to navigate the current travel rules going from Canada to US and back.  Have the ability to go via air or land crossing (if there’s any difference).  I’d love to hear from anyone who has recent experience on navigating the current rules.  Wasn’t sure if the recent cutback in test availability in Ontario makes this more difficult.  Any tips or tricks would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any responses.

Spunkie

Try to get a positive PCR test so you don't potentially get stuck there for 11 days and-or buy covid insurance. (Then you won't require a  negative PCR test to get back in.) I found it useful to have a backup hotel plan just in case.

Look to the government websites for all your information as it constantly changes.

oftenreading

I agree with keeping tabs on the government website as I would hate to steer you wrong. There haven't been any recent changes in requirements or testing that I'm aware of but there could easily be one in the next few weeks.

Testing on both sides of the border has been more difficult lately with the shortage of tests. I can't speak for Ontario but I do know that the last time I went through YVR (Vancouver airport) the lineups for testing were awful and people were missing their flights as it sometimes took hours to get through. If you can book and pay for a test at a private community clinic, do that in preference to an airport test centre, and that applies to both sides of the border. For peace of mind, on your way back best to book and pay for a rapid molecular test (which is expensive, I know) rather than a regular PCR test unless they have an airtight guarantee that you'll get it back in time - I've seen some private travel clinics charge for regular PCR tests but not promise to get it back in time. 

And yes to having travel insurance that specifically applies to covid, not just health insurance (which is a no brainer) but also for travel delays, flight cancellations, need to quarantine, etc. 

ST66483

Great thanks for the responses. Was looking at the government sites too, just wondered about an lived experience tips and tricks.  Thanks again

BLACK35

As someone that recently travelled back from US (in Dec) before shit seem to hit the fan with the Omicron. We flew out of Toronto and was able to get   a rapid antigen test at Shoppers (which was all that was required) 24 hrs before my flight with results for $40 
While in Florida, I found a state run facility that provided  PCR test for free and all we had to do was get it 72 hrs prior to our flight. Didn't even need to an appointment. Not sure if the 72 hr window is still the same for coming back into Canada from US.
The wife and I were able to get Covid insurance thru Blue Cross to cover us for 1 week and it cost us $66 Canadian.
Let me know if any other questions. 

And getting the ArriveCan app is essential

ST66483

Great thanks a lot

1ThoughtKnown

I’ve got to start paying attention to this again. Waiting with great anticipation for the PJ spring tour announcement. Still sitting on Denver GA tickets! 

Spunkie

Just thinking... if rapid tests can pick up disease from 90 days back, and PCRs are better, if we don't document omicron infection, we could get fucked traveling in the future if tests pick up this old (current) bug? 

Ok g'nite brain.

BLACK35

tish said:

Just thinking... if rapid tests can pick up disease from 90 days back, and PCRs are better, if we don't document omicron infection, we could get fucked traveling in the future if tests pick up this old (current) bug? 

Ok g'nite brain.

This was my biggest fear when we took the rapid test 24 hrs before our flight to Florida in December

ST66483

That was my worry too, having recently had omicron (assumed based on rapid test only) in the family, but no way to document it.  Ended up canceling travel plans.