Confused on Covid Test

If your itinerary has you arriving to the US via one or more connecting flights, your test can be taken within 1 day before the departure of the first flight.

You also have the option of getting tested en route during one of your connections. However, you should consider where in the connecting airport testing is available and if you would be able to access it while in transit. If you choose this strategy and are unable to get a test en route, you will not be able to board your flight to the United States. You should also be aware that if you test positive en route, you will not be allowed to continue your travel and may need to stay at that location until you end isolation.

Please note, if you planned an itinerary incorporating one or more overnight stays en route to the US, you will need to make sure your test is not expired before your flight that will enter the US. You do not need to be retested if the itinerary requires an overnight connection because of limitations in flight availability.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... elers.html

Be cautious relying on websites by airlines, etc, as they are not always completely accurate or up-to-date. Always look at the government websites to get the information for entry requirements. The US is VERY clear that "1 day" =/= 24 hours.


By these rules, you can test a day prior to your first flight (Monday).

That all being said, to be safe, I personally would just test Tuesday morning, as it's the airline that enforces this, not the US CBP. There have been incidents of airline staff misunderstanding rules/regulations, and incorrectly denying boarding. I wouldn't chance my entire trip based on the off-chance a gate agent is incompetent, but that's just me...

Agree with the last poster, Tuesday morning. You don't want to get into an interpretation disagreement with a border agent. Leave nothing to chance, it's all a bunch of BS, just dance the dance, with a smile and and a nod.

Have fun in Miami!

Toukolou wrote: ↑ Agree with the last poster, Tuesday morning. You don't want to get into an interpretation disagreement with a border agent. Leave nothing to chance, it's all a bunch of BS, just dance the dance, with a smile and and a nod.

Have fun in Miami!

Maybe I will call Air Canada and see what they think.

I don't need a covid test going to Montreal because same country however at YVR they might ask for my 24 hour covid test because I'm going to Miami on connection flight.

Sharks316 wrote: ↑ Maybe I will call Air Canada and see what they think.

I don't need a covid test going to Montreal because same country however at YVR they might ask for my 24 hour covid test because I'm going to Miami on connection flight.

Reading that it seems like 1 day before the first scheduled leg of the trip would be acceptable. But I think I'd still opt to do it same day, especially since you've got pretty much all day to get it done, pre-departure.

Sharks316 wrote: ↑ Maybe I will call Air Canada and see what they think.

I don't need a covid test going to Montreal because same country however at YVR they might ask for my 24 hour covid test because I'm going to Miami on connection flight.

What's the point of asking the exact same question over and over, despite you already being provided with the rules by both AC, and from the US CDC, which say the exact same thing? You've already been told the answer multiple times, and been provided with some advice on top of that to mitigate any trouble that may arise in the event someone mis-interprets the rules. Saying "an AC agent told me" is not going to change a damn thing.

Seems like the only "confusing" part is why you're still confused and refusing to take the clearly outlined rules at face value... not that this is an actually ambiguous situation.

Phonophoresis wrote: ↑ What's the point of asking the exact same question over and over, despite you already being provided with the rules by both AC, and from the US CDC, which say the exact same thing? You've already been told the answer multiple times, and been provided with some advice on top of that to mitigate any trouble that may arise in the event someone mis-interprets the rules. Saying "an AC agent told me" is not going to change a damn thing.

Seems like the only "confusing" part is why you're still confused and refusing to take the clearly outlined rules at face value... not that this is an actually ambiguous situation.

I'm worried if I take it Tuesday I will have problems at YVR or at YMX because it clearly states 24 hours before 1st flight

Sharks316 wrote: ↑ I'm worried if I take it Tuesday I will have problems at YVR or at YMX because it clearly states 24 hours before 1st flight

Is Tuesday morning not within 1 day of Tuesday evening?

Sorry to be blunt, but this has already been explained to you more than once, and maybe you should take the time read the replies to this thread (including your own) and what is on AC + the US CDCs websites, which explain this situation in very simple terms.

For the last time, you need a test within one calendar day of your entry, but within one calendar day of your first flight is acceptable if you are on a connecting flight. Take it Monday or Tuesday - it's your choice, and they both qualify. It has been outlined why Tuesday is likely to expose you to less potential risk.

If you still don't understand what your options are, you need to re-read everything in this thread again. We really can't help you if you refuse to read what's posted... you're simply wasting everyone's time if that's going to be the case.

Sorry

Seems like Tuesday would be the safest bet and it is in the 24 hour window technically

Sharks316 wrote: ↑ I'm going from Vancouver to Miami. With a connection at Montreal.

I'm flying this Tuesday at 11pm Pacifc Time. And will be in Montreal Wednesday 7am Eastern Time. Than 8am my flight leaves for Miami.

I'm wondering do I a get the test done on Monday or Tuesday? I'm thinking Monday because it says 1 day before departure however I won't be in Miami until Wednesday. So should I get Tuesday? Because on US website it says 24 hours before arriving. Confused

I attached a screen shot on what the air canada website says.

You mean your flight is 8pm or 8am. Not sure how a Montreal 8am to miami flight would put you in Wednesday?

It’s 1 day before departure. Do it in Vancouver but might be cheaper in Montreal.

If it’s 8 am you may have trouble making the connection as you have to go through usa customs.

It’s probably 8pm but if you’re going to ask maybe get your fight times correct?

Phonophoresis wrote: ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... elers.html

Be cautious relying on websites by airlines, etc, as they are not always completely accurate or up-to-date. Always look at the government websites to get the information for entry requirements. The US is VERY clear that "1 day" =/= 24 hours.


By these rules, you can test a day prior to your first flight (Monday).

That all being said, to be safe, I personally would just test Tuesday morning, as it's the airline that enforces this, not the US CBP. There have been incidents of airline staff misunderstanding rules/regulations, and incorrectly denying boarding. I wouldn't chance my entire trip based on the off-chance a gate agent is incompetent, but that's just me...

Toukolou wrote: ↑ Agree with the last poster, Tuesday morning. You don't want to get into an interpretation disagreement with a border agent. Leave nothing to chance, it's all a bunch of BS, just dance the dance, with a smile and and a nod.

Have fun in Miami!

There is a lot of traffic to usa from Canada. I very much doubt any ac agent wouldn’t be familiar with this testing requirement being one day before not 24 hours.

GangStarr wrote: ↑ There is a lot of traffic to usa from Canada. I very much doubt any ac agent wouldn’t be familiar with this testing requirement being one day before not 24 hours.

Exactly.

Or just do one in the am through virtual test.

GangStarr wrote: ↑ You mean your flight is 8pm or 8am. Not sure how a Montreal 8am to miami flight would put you in Wednesday?

It’s 1 day before departure. Do it in Vancouver but might be cheaper in Montreal.

If it’s 8 am you may have trouble making the connection as you have to go through usa customs.

It’s probably 8pm but if you’re going to ask maybe get your fight times correct?

I think the OP leaves YVR on Tuesday night, arriving at YUL on Wednesday morning to make their connection to MIA. Sounds like they only have a short layover - the min connection in YUL domestic to US is 55 mins, so 1 hour would be "acceptable" [for the airline]. They won't have time to take a test during their layover.

GangStarr wrote: ↑
There is a lot of traffic to usa from Canada. I very much doubt any ac agent wouldn’t be familiar with this testing requirement being one day before not 24 hours.

weedb0y wrote: ↑ Exactly.

Or just do one in the am through virtual test.

I agree it's not a big deal, but to each their own - it's still something one can be proactive about. There have been several stories of airlines and/or border agents misinterpreting rules, counting dates incorrectly, not accepting legit tests, not accepting legit vaccination records, etc. resulting in fines, cancelled travel plans/delays, etc. during COVID. Albeit, these are rare these days, but if one can effortlessly protect themselves against this uncontrollable possibility, why wouldn't you? The point is, it happens, and you never want to be the person who ends up in the news.

Besides, the issue some of us were raising never had anything to do with the 24 hour =/= 1 day interpretation. It has to do with the "first flight" rule with the extra clause about overnight stays where your test must remain valid for your flight to the US. While the red-eye connection does not count as an overnight stay, I'm sure someone out there will interpret this incorrectly.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure the OP's problem was more so that they either kept skipping or did not understand the word, "within", and thought a day-of pre-departure test would not qualify.