A bit anecdotal, but possibly reassuring.

Just curious (and lazy because I could -and will- ask myself in January) but did CVS and/or Walgreens promise results that quickly?

CVS said 24 to 36, Walgreens said 2 or 3 days. I had friends who went to both about a month ago and got the same results so I tired it, but then chickened out and did the private lab too.

I chickened out because the person administering the test said the COUNTRY of Europe had a 3 day prior rule.

I think they (CVS, Walgreens) have to send out PCR samples to a certified lab to do the actual test. So it must matter if they have a lab in your city, or if it has to go further. A question to ask them if you go in for a test?

That's why I said this was a bit anecdotal. I live in a town of 1.5 million so we have some resources that might not be available in Podunk

From what I understood, Walgreens sends only the results to be registered at the vendor's offices, which accounts for a 24-hour timeframe.

All good to know. CVS 24 hr time frame would be nice, but since Walgreens is across the street, wouldn’t hurt to try both.

I live close to Podunk so the labs might have to go somewhere else….. The lab at DFW did get back very speedy results for my daughter in August, so that would be a back up option. It’s expensive but since she is not living in the U.S., with health insurance, CVS was NOT free and the price wasn’t hugely different for her. And as a backup for me, price wouldn’t matter at that point. But I hate last minute…..

Kaiser Permanente out here in semi-Podunk said up to three days but delivered in 13 hours (PCR). I was pleasantly surprised, didn't need the test for entry but wanted it for reassurance.

Travelmom, most of us have lived in or near Podunk at one time or another. I've lived in Midlothian, Los Indios, Helotes and Karnak, to name a few.

James E, Ha!

Reassuring, Dick. I haven’t had a PCR test in a year and haven’t needed one for Greece, Croatia, or for France next month (so far). But I will definitely need one for Dubai (and probably Jordan) in January, if things stay the same.