Free / Cheap / Quick - Covid PCR / NAAT test in U.S. cities for Canadians returning to Canada

I'm having a heck of a time trying to find out which tests are saliva and which are nasal swab. Specifically at Walgreens. Are there any saliva tests available anywhere? Mrs Kiraly is afraid of the swab and doesn't even want to travel if it means having to get one.

My wife and kids were scared too. But they were ok once they found out the nasal test is self-administered in your car. The process is less invasive than before - only about an inch in and 10-15 seconds in each nostril. Done.

I wonder what happens if one gets positive results for their pcr test, would they be denied entrance back to Canada or just required to go home and quarantine?

Local Radio this AM had a chap from Vermont who was promoting his deals website which included free testing in the US.
The segment went in one ear out the other as we're not planning on travelling soon.

Cheers, KH

FriendlyUnit wrote: ↑ I wonder what happens if one gets positive results for their pcr test, would they be denied entrance back to Canada or just required to go home and quarantine?

A Canadian cannot be denied entry into Canada.

FriendlyUnit wrote: ↑ I wonder what happens if one gets positive results for their pcr test, would they be denied entrance back to Canada or just required to go home and quarantine?

Best guess is you'd probably be allowed in, but sent to quarantine.

Any online/video conferencing based PCR test in US at a better price than switch health $140.

Talamasca wrote: ↑ A Canadian cannot be denied entry into Canada.

If you are driving back into Canada, that's fine. However, if you are flying back to Canada, the airline will not allow you to even check-in upon seeing your positive test results.

Anyone planning on going down for Thanksgiving/Black Friday next week? We're going down from Thursday morning to Sunday evening and I'm wondering what turnaround time will be on the testing given the holiday. Think Walgreens/CVS will give results in 48 hours or less?

psyko514 wrote: ↑ Anyone planning on going down for Thanksgiving/Black Friday next week? We're going down from Thursday morning to Sunday evening and I'm wondering what turnaround time will be on the testing given the holiday. Think Walgreens/CVS will give results in 48 hours or less?

Walgreens in California uses Aegis Labs for their test and Aegis has a running graph of their average Turnaround Time (TAT) in the link below. Perhaps all Walgreens in the US use Aesis. If so, it can give you some kind of guidance.

https://www.aegislabs.com/our-services/covid19-testing/

traxton wrote: ↑ If you are driving back into Canada, that's fine. However, if you are flying back to Canada, the airline will not allow you to even check-in upon seeing your positive test results.

was gonna post this. To be more accurate, if you can't produce a negative test result, that they can confirm, you won't be allowed on the plane even if you have an electronic boarding pass.

hartzfizzo wrote: ↑ Walgreens in California uses Aegis Labs for their test and Aegis has a running graph of their average Turnaround Time (TAT) in the link below. Perhaps all Walgreens in the US use Aesis. If so, it can give you some kind of guidance.

https://www.aegislabs.com/our-services/covid19-testing/

Think it depends on type of test.

Believe PCR processing done at lab off site and fast antigen and fast NAAT [Canada accepts] done on site so should be faster but based on our experience it can vary by more then 20 hours even if done within same hour.

City: Irving, TX
Name of lab/organization: Walgreens
Type of tests available: ID NOW NAAT
Cost: "FREE"
Approximate processing time (stated vs. actual): Got swabbed at 3:15pm. Got my results at 5:30pm.
Tips/Tricks: Did not have to provide ID. Just confirmed with name and DOB.

City: Irving, TX
Name of lab/organization: CVS
Type of tests available: PCR
Cost: "FREE"
Approximate processing time (stated vs. actual): Got swabbed at 2:30pm. Got my results at 5:00pm the next day.
Tips/Tricks: Went at 1:30pm and they said it was two early, so came back at 2:30. Seems like they don't do this test after at this location as it took a while to set everything up.

In Niagara Falls, if you want to book with Walgreens the Rapid Test (ID NOW NAAT), you need to book four days in advance. Appointment times are all full.

How long in advance can you book your Walgreens test?
I am going to NYC on Dec 3rd and returning on Dec 6th. I am driving, so thinking on booking with Walgreens in advance for NAAT (ID NOW) on Dec 6th morning, so I get my results by the time I get to the border after around 9hrs our so. We are a family of 4.
Thx

FriendlyUnit wrote: ↑ How long in advance can you book your Walgreens test?
I am going to NYC on Dec 3rd and returning on Dec 6th. I am driving, so thinking on booking with Walgreens in advance for NAAT (ID NOW) on Dec 6th morning, so I get my results by the time I get to the border after around 9hrs our so. We are a family of 4.
Thx

Don't bother with Walgreens in NYC - there aren't really any - you'd have to go to the Bronx. There are mobile vans literally everywhere doing free Covid testing. Check out LabQ - they list locations and hours. You'll have PCR results within 24 hours. Other labs have vans as well. NYC is super easy to get tested. No appointments necessary.

https://labq.com/covid-mobile-testing/

revlis wrote: ↑ Don't bother with Walgreens in NYC - there aren't really any - you'd have to go to the Bronx. There are mobile vans literally everywhere doing free Covid testing. Check out LabQ - they list locations and hours. You'll have PCR results within 24 hours. Other labs have vans as well. NYC is super easy to get tested. No appointments necessary.

https://labq.com/covid-mobile-testing/

Thanks so you just walk up and get tested ? DO they ask for any insurance or IDs?
I see there are some locations open on Sunday.

FriendlyUnit wrote: ↑ Thanks so you just walk up and get tested ? DO they ask for any insurance or IDs?
I see there are some locations open on Sunday.

You can pre-register on LabQ website, and you'll get a qr code to scan at the van. Alternatively you can just walk up. Just have ID and use your hotel address or any US address. You'll also see CTS vans around times square. Just show ID and that's it. Nobody cares about insurance or if you're Canadian. It's super easy. I've done it several times in NYC already.

https://ctsmobiletesting.com/

How about unvaccinated kids under 12 ? Do they have to quarantine and stay home with no school for 14 days after their re-entry back into Canada?

FriendlyUnit wrote: ↑ How about unvaccinated kids under 12 ? Do they have to quarantine and stay home with no school for 14 days after their re-entry back into Canada?

Cannot attend school for 14 days.