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clear as mud answer to Abbot's BinaxNOW test for international flights

Everyone has been very generous with information on our upcoming trip to the Sorrento area, and I wanted to share what I learned about the BinaxNOW test, as a recent traveler posted a question about it. After speaking to three Delta Airlines reps over the last two days, they said they THINK the BinaxNOW test (which is an antigen home test, but is video proctored) will work to get into Italy. They know it will work getting back into the United States from Italy, they just aren't positive about getting into Italy from the States. To err on the side of caution, we are going to try using the BinaxNOW test and upload the results to Delta as soon as we can within the 72 hour arrival window. (And be careful everyone, it isn't 72 hours from your original flight, at least not for Delta or Italy. It's 72 hours from when you arrive in Italy.) If the test is accepted, the Delta rep said we'll know within 10 minutes of uploading. If it isn't accepted, we've made appointments at the local CVS for the next day, The catch is that CVS says in the test appointment confirmation "Not accepted for most travel." It is also an antigen test. With the length of time it takes to return PCR test results from our CVS's here, we would not be able to meet both the 72 hour requirement and get the results back in time for our first flight. So, we're going to try the BinaxNOW antigen home test, and if that doesn't work, we'll do the CVS antigen test. We don't really have other choices. The Italian consulate's website is clear that antigen tests are acceptable for fully vaccinated people (as we are).

Not sure this is of much help, but wanted to pass along what I did learn, such as it is. Thanks again for all the tips! We just want to get to Italy!

Posted by
2547 posts

Please keep us posted as to how it works out for you. Good luck.

Posted by
98 posts

I would be glad to! We're keeping our fingers crossed that it all works out. Being able to travel again is worth the effort!

Posted by
28 posts

Hi. Just got back from Italy and the CVS antigen test was fine to get into Italy. I think the ‘not accepted for most travel’ part refers to countries that require a PCR test. Have a good trip!

Posted by
7937 posts

The Abbott BinaxNOW definitely got both of us into Italy 3 weeks ago. No question, no delay.

The only thing that might muddy things is that we flew American Airlines, not Delta.

Enjoy Italy!

Posted by
8045 posts

Italy accepts both Antigen and Molecular tests (PCR or NAAT). Many travel instances may only accept the molecular test, hence CVS's claim. There were some reports that United was not accepting some tests, but have not heard reports of Delta rejecting any types of tests, as long as they were verified by a medical professional.

What is a bit concerning about Delta's response, is if they accept the test result, you get into Italy. Your results will not be checked in Italy, only by Delta, prior to boarding your trans-Atlantic flight, or at Check-in.

As others are saying, if you have validated results, you should be fine.

Posted by
2 posts

Just back from 18 days a in Italy . Walgreen’s rapid test result uploaded to the United travel ready site for departure worked great. We Used the self administered , televideo eMed binax rapid COVID antigen test on return. A little confusing but I down loaded the navica app from abbot and set up accounts with eMed and Navica. A bit of overkill but the accounts get linked and the eMed results ( that also come over on a password protected PDF via email) produce a Pass on the app that can be easily pulled up and displayed through the multiple redundant check points for the test results at the Rome (FCO) airport on return . Same thing can be accomplished by taking a photo of the eMed PDF , that can be also uploaded to the United site or uploading a photo of a negative test from at a local Pharmacy in Italy and displayed the paper results through the various checkpoints at the airport in Rome.

we Felt super safe … 80 percent of the country is fully vaccinated , CDC card and some form of ID was required for us on any train, or to enter any museum. I used a passport card and my wife used her drivers license as the ID which worked and avoided the need to carry our passports around. It is a very cursory look by the officials.

Some restaurants ( about 1/2 required the CDC card to dine inside . Mask wearing inside was fairly universal , including in the cabs and taxis .