On RS Website under conditions for traveling to Europe they state a negative COVID test is required at least 48 hours prior to start date of tour. But an email I received states a self test done just prior to meeting up with the tour group on the first day must be done and shown to tour guide (hopefully it's negative). So I am confused - do I go to my local Urgent Care Center and get a test or just do the one prior to joining the tour. I leave on June 12 th for the RS Sicily tour. Thank you.
Posted by
Wisconsin
135 posts
I’ve read the same thing about testing yourself just before the tour. I think they are doing that so that you don’t have a 48 hour window to possibly become infected especially if you are flying in that window. They want you to test yourself the day of the tour.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2394 posts
I don't think the "at least 48 hours before" was ever a thing?
My recent tour only needed the self-test the day of start.
Posted by
Wisconsin
454 posts
Earlier tours this year required that you show the guide, at the welcome meeting, a negative covid test result from a PCR or antigen test conducted within 48 hours of the first day of the tour. It had to be a lab test or proctored self test. The protocol has changed now.
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1056 posts
What happened was that when Covid rates went down they eliminated the original 48 hour PCR documented test and did not require any Covid testing prior to beginning of the tour. That was very short-lived, and now the rule (as evidenced by a letter sent to tour participants 30 days before tour beginning) is that you must take a Covid test on the day the tour begins, and show the results to your tour guide, along with documentation of vaccines and boosters prior to beginning the tour. The difference is that this test need not be a proctored antigen test or a PCR. Self tests are acceptable. They are asking participants to take a picture of the negative test or, lacking a cell phone, to bring the test stick showing a negative test to the tour guide. Having read a couple reports from people who have taken Rick Steves Tours this year, it seems to be not unusual that some participants show up positive for Covid, presumably having caught it on the plane or just prior to leaving the States. I believe this is an attempt by RS to prevent that from happening and that’s why the window to take the test has narrowed from 48 hours to the day the tour begins. It’s also possible that they are allowing self test to make it easier for people who are not familiar with the neighborhood where the tour begins to be able to test.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8158 posts
We flew home from London Heathrow yesterday and went through required Covid testing at Heathrow Airport. It was a very negative experience where we had to do all the paperwork on a smartphone for an online appointment on a very slow Heathrow WIFI. The test was 50 pounds each--ridiculously expensive for a "quick test."
Then when we had to show proof to the airline before boarding, and it had to be pulled up on that slow WIFI. We almost missed our flight.
Then we realized that for the most part, Covid testing is for those flying into the USA. We were on 3 flights within Europe without any testing required.
Posted by
Westford, MA, USA
567 posts
What is Italy’s Sicily’s entry requirement?> Will you need to test before
entry? Show your vaccination record?