Anyone used the ID NOW NAAT test to get back into Canada from the US?

Jul 5th, 2021 5:03 pm

#1

ticky [OP]: Member; Apr 25, 2011; 338 posts; 169 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 5:03 pm

Anyone used the ID NOW NAAT test to get back into Canada from the US?

Travelling to the US for 36 hours soon so the usual PCR test isn't an option for me as results can take up to 2–3 days to come back.

Walgreens is offering the below:
Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW): The Rapid Point-of-Care (POC) - NAAT (ID NOW) test also detects genetic material (mRNA) of the virus. The test is performed on site with results available within 24 hours.

The Canada government website mentions nothing specifically about ID NOW but does say NAAT tests are accepted so I'm going to presume I won't have any issues at the border with this test but I was wondering whether anyone else has used it successfully?

Jul 8th, 2021 7:03 am

#2

CorSter: Deal Addict; Mar 30, 2004; 4936 posts; 2441 upvotes; Durham Region

Jul 8th, 2021 7:03 am

ID Now is good for border purposes. And Walgreens will likely get your results back to you in an hour.

+2

Jul 8th, 2021 2:30 pm

#3

revlis: Member; Mar 4, 2003; 440 posts; 118 upvotes; Newmarket

Jul 8th, 2021 2:30 pm

Did you get tested at Walgreens? Any trouble with being Canadian?

Jul 10th, 2021 11:56 am

#4

ticky [OP]: Member; Apr 25, 2011; 338 posts; 169 upvotes

Jul 10th, 2021 11:56 am

I went through the Walgreens drive-thru pharmacy in an Uber and had no issues. Took around five minutes in total. They didn't ask for ID or any payment.

I got the email notification of the result about 30 minutes later and had no one question it when returning to Canada from either the airline or immigration. All they cared was that is said NAT and was negative.

+12

Jul 11th, 2021 10:59 am

#5

Muns59: Member; Nov 20, 2016; 216 posts; 51 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 10:59 am

What was the cost of this test?

Jul 11th, 2021 11:06 am

#6

ticky [OP]: Member; Apr 25, 2011; 338 posts; 169 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 11:06 am

The Walgreens one? Zero dollars. I was never asked to pay when there.

+3

Jul 11th, 2021 11:16 am

#7

CheapDude69: Jr. Member; Sep 19, 2019; 190 posts; 330 upvotes; vancouver

Jul 11th, 2021 11:16 am

What state was this in? Thanks

Jul 11th, 2021 11:30 am

#8

ticky [OP]: Member; Apr 25, 2011; 338 posts; 169 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 11:30 am

Arizona

Jul 11th, 2021 1:27 pm

#9

sskl1998: Newbie; Jun 20, 2009; 30 posts; 13 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 1:27 pm

ticky wrote: ↑ I went through the Walgreens drive-thru pharmacy in an Uber and had no issues. Took around five minutes in total. They didn't ask for ID or any payment.

I got the email notification of the result about 30 minutes later and had no one question it when returning to Canada from either the airline or immigration. All they cared was that is said NAT and was negative.

I tried to register for a COVID test at Walgreens but they needed a US Drivers License number. How do you get around that?

Jul 11th, 2021 4:36 pm

#10

CanadianSpruce: Deal Addict; Feb 17, 2017; 1374 posts; 1202 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 4:36 pm

sskl1998 wrote: ↑ I tried to register for a COVID test at Walgreens but they needed a US Drivers License number. How do you get around that?

I believe you can bypass it by entering A12345678. Your Canadian ID is fine on the day.

+4

Jul 11th, 2021 4:42 pm

#11

ticky [OP]: Member; Apr 25, 2011; 338 posts; 169 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 4:42 pm

I don't recall being asked for that. If I was, I would've left it blank.

The only "weird" data I had to put in was my hotel address for my personal address as it doesn't accept foreign ones.

+1

Jul 11th, 2021 10:57 pm

#12

Muns59: Member; Nov 20, 2016; 216 posts; 51 upvotes

Jul 11th, 2021 10:57 pm

That’s good to know that you can possibly access these tests for free then.
A huge factor in travelling to the US is paying like $170usd for a PCR test on return to Canada.
But a NAAT test is accepted and if can do free from Walgreens that’s great!

Jul 12th, 2021 9:03 am

#13

revlis: Member; Mar 4, 2003; 440 posts; 118 upvotes; Newmarket

Jul 12th, 2021 9:03 am

A free test at Walgreens is a huuuuge deal for Canadians. We are a family of five, and the cost of PCR tests would have killed any travel plans. I'd love to hear more positive Walgreens experiences from Canadians who have been tested. Wondering if this varies from store to store, and if you just have to be 'lucky'.

Side note, once the land border opens, can you imagine the number of Canadians flooding Walgreens parking lots in Buffalo, etc?

Jul 12th, 2021 10:44 am

#14

itemsale2003: Deal Addict; Dec 6, 2008; 1481 posts; 910 upvotes

Jul 12th, 2021 10:44 am

OP: so did u upload the results on arrivecan or did u present a paper copy?

Jul 14th, 2021 6:55 pm

#15

Punky Hunky: Deal Addict; Dec 26, 2004; 1452 posts; 999 upvotes

Jul 14th, 2021 6:55 pm

Thanks OP!

Just got mine done at Walgreens in Houston for my flight on Saturday. Booked an appointment on the website. Didn’t ask for any ID numbers. Went to the drive through window. Gave our names and they passed the swabs through the window. Swabbed ourselves and left. Should get results in 24 hours. Didn’t have to pay.

Update: Got our results within 2 hours. Should be good to come back. No payment necessary Definitely a pleasant surprise. Saves a ton of money for the 5 of us

+3

Jul 14th, 2021 9:26 pm

#16

Energie11: Deal Addict; Dec 28, 2011; 1071 posts; 631 upvotes; Midland

Jul 14th, 2021 9:26 pm

itemsale2003 wrote: ↑OP: so did u upload the results on arrivecan or did u present a paper copy?

You don’t upload test results to the app.

You show the paper to border control. When I landed, she could of care less of my paper work and just asked if I brought in cigs or liq. Mind you customs was 2 hr wait and chaotic with every post open. It’s probably cause airlines do a wonderful job checking that

My friend didn’t even get asked to see his arrivecan code.

Jul 15th, 2021 11:24 pm

#17

sharkhead: Jr. Member; May 29, 2017; 193 posts; 43 upvotes

Jul 15th, 2021 11:24 pm

Punky Hunky wrote: ↑ Thanks OP!

Just got mine done at Walgreens in Houston for my flight on Saturday. Booked an appointment on the website. Didn’t ask for any ID numbers. Went to the drive through window. Gave our names and they passed the swabs through the window. Swabbed ourselves and left. Should get results in 24 hours. Didn’t have to pay.

Update: Got our results within 2 hours. Should be good to come back. No payment necessary Definitely a pleasant surprise. Saves a ton of money for the 5 of us

Have a safe trip back! Did you take the Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR) or Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW)? Does it hurt somewhat? Is it easy to book for an appointment? Same day or days ahead?
I wonder if all Walgreens offer free test or just in TX, FL and AZ? No one uses CVS?

Jul 16th, 2021 12:07 am

#18

Punky Hunky: Deal Addict; Dec 26, 2004; 1452 posts; 999 upvotes

Jul 16th, 2021 12:07 am

sharkhead wrote: ↑ Have a safe trip back! Did you take the Diagnostic Lab Test (PCR) or Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW)? Does it hurt somewhat? Is it easy to book for an appointment? Same day or days ahead?
I wonder if all Walgreens offer free test or just in TX, FL and AZ? No one uses CVS?

We took the ID Now test as it’s a NAAT test. It was self administered so wasn’t too painful. It was like the antigen test we did in Canada. The location I booked had lots of appointment times. I booked mine two days in advance. I don’t think many Americans are getting tested. The Walgreens website says it’s free so it should be all?

+1

Jul 17th, 2021 1:43 pm

#19

Trooob: Deal Fanatic; Oct 25, 2003; 9266 posts; 375 upvotes

Jul 17th, 2021 1:43 pm

Got the ID Now, NAAT test at Walgreens just now, appointment at 1PM, just got the results back 45mins later.

+4

Jul 18th, 2021 1:08 am

#20

Temujin1: Sr. Member; Jan 31, 2007; 510 posts; 335 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 1:08 am

Logistically speaking how did you do that in an Uber? Book a ride to the Walgreens and when you got in the car give him $10 to wait and then pay him to drive you back?

ticky wrote: ↑ I went through the Walgreens drive-thru pharmacy in an Uber and had no issues. Took around five minutes in total. They didn't ask for ID or any payment.

I got the email notification of the result about 30 minutes later and had no one question it when returning to Canada from either the airline or immigration. All they cared was that is said NAT and was negative.

+1