AirCanada flights to US, COVID test valid only from Air Canada approved labs??

bsobaid wrote: ↑ Anyone knows if the Rapid antigen "SCREENING" done at shoppers is acceptable for US as US gov website CDC states they require a Rapid anti "TEST".

bsobaid wrote: ↑ Anyone knows if the Rapid antigen "SCREENING" done at shoppers is acceptable for US as US gov website CDC states they require a Rapid anti "TEST".

What types of SARS-CoV-2 test are acceptable under the Order?
Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Examples of available NAATs for SARS-CoV-2 include but are not restricted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR), and helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered. A viral test conducted for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) personnel, including DOD contractors, dependents, and other U.S. government employees, and tested by a DOD laboratory located in a foreign country also meets the requirements of the Order.

Can I get a rapid test?
Rapid tests are acceptable as long as they are a viral test acceptable under the Order.

Does a self-test meet the conditions of the Order?

• International air passengers traveling to the United States can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:
• The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What information must be included on the test result?

• A test result must be in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy). The documentation must include:
• Type of test (indicating it is a NAAT or antigen test)
• Entity issuing the result (e.g. laboratory, healthcare entity, or telehealth service)
• Specimen collection date. A negative test result must show the specimen was collected within the 3 days before the flight. A positive test result for documentation of recovery from COVID-19 must show the specimen was collected within the 3 months before the flight.
• Information that identifies the person (full name plus at least one other identifier such as date of birth or passport number)
• Test Result

secretalcoholic wrote: ↑ Agent gave you the wrong info…doesn’t have to be from AC approved labs. Any lab will do as long they’re reputable.

I’m sitting on a AC flight right now to US and got mine not from the AC list.

Cheapest option is an antigen*, SDM has it at $40+Taxes for AB and ON. Or if you’re at YYZ they have it for free as part of a pilot program that’s ending soon.

*except HI.

secretalcoholic wrote: ↑ Agent gave you the wrong info…doesn’t have to be from AC approved labs. Any lab will do as long they’re reputable.

I’m sitting on a AC flight right now to US and got mine not from the AC list.

Cheapest option is an antigen*, SDM has it at $40+Taxes for AB and ON. Or if you’re at YYZ they have it for free as part of a pilot program that’s ending soon.

*except HI.

Hippylove wrote: ↑ Did you take a Antigen screening or the actual test? Just curious as one pharmacy wants to charge $120 for the Antigen Test. I was thrown off by the "Screening" part.

bsobaid wrote: ↑ That’s what I thought too. Thx for confirming.

Looks like sdm is trying to hide the $40 option and confusing people by calling rapid antigen a screening and not a test.

secretalcoholic wrote: ↑ I don’t know what “screening” is. I assume they mean antibody screening? Which is completely different. I definitely did not take a PCR or Rapid PCR test.

Rapid antigen is basically a frontal nostril swab, 5 times each side. Then they combine it with a liquid, and that liquid is dropped into a testing plate that changes color (like a pregnancy stick) depending on whether or not you’re positive. The one I went used Abbott Pambio.

The only concern I can see from this wording is if SDM withholds critical information required by US CBP for the $40 test and instead requires you to pay more money if you wanted detailed results (I.e., lab location, equipment, time/date, personnel name).

uber_shnitz wrote: ↑ Side tangent but does anyone know the reason Shoppers doesn't offer their antigen tests in every province? Is it some regulations AB/ON have that allow them to sell there?

xcell wrote: ↑ from westjet site...

Canada entry requirements
Be sure to read the full requirements required for entry to Canada
Required for entry to Canada:

negative COVID PCR test
submit details via ArriveCAN
mandatory 3-day quarantine*
14-day total quarantine*
You need a pre-departure test:

if you're 5 years or older
taken within 72 hours of departure
type: PCR, RT-LAMP, LAMP, NAA
** Antigen tests can NOT be accepted


Weird -- Air Canada's suggested testing centre includes a lot that uses the Rapid Antigen test.

Should I be surprised by this confusion? Can the government make up their minds on what they want...

kwscott wrote: ↑ It’s too bad that SDM makes you call every local location to find out if they offer the rapid antigen test instead of having them listed on their website.

Update: I've called two local locations and they both offer the rapid test, however, they don't seem to know that it's accepted for travelling to the US as both pharmacies warned that it wouldn't be valid for travelling.

However, someone responded above mentioning that it was valid for a colleague who did the rapid test at SDM and travelled to the US so I think it's just a matter of being overly cautious by the staff and them not knowing all the travelling rules (not expecting them to as every country has different standards).

Temujin1 wrote: ↑ Shoppers antigen screening works fine for continental US. Not Hawaii.

1cat2dogs wrote: ↑ Either there's an issue with these tests, or SDM is pissy that they are only able to charge $40 as opposed to the $200 they want for the PCR test.

1cat2dogs wrote: ↑ Is for for certain?

I made appointments at a local SDM for a rapid antigen screening for the family traveling later this month. I was going to book us all at the Waterloo Clinic where they promote that their Rapid test is specifically for US travel. SDM reminded me 10X on the call that they "could not verify that the test would be accepted."

Either there's an issue with these tests, or SDM is pissy that they are only able to charge $40 as opposed to the $200 they want for the PCR test.