Just as a double check, can someone confirm that if we are joining a tour on April 26th at 5 PM, we can do our pre-tour test (proctored) in the US at 4 AM EDT on April 24th, and if negative this will be accepted by the Rick Steves' Tour Guide.
Thanks very much.
I hesitate to say a definitive answer because I am not associated with RS tours. Their website says 48 hours and many places interpret that as 2 days. My guess is that your test would be fine. If it wasn't, the "worst-case" scenario would be that you would redo it on the 25th or 26th at a local testing location.
Your best source of information here is to contact RS tours directly and get their answer. You have enough time that even if it takes a few days for them to respond to your email, you will get an "Official" answer in time.
Thank you Carol!
This is copied for my latest email from RS for my tour next week: Subject: Last Minute Tour Reminder
Pre-tour Testing: Participants on Rick Steves tours departing through the end of April are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR, antigen, or a travel approved self-test administered via tele-health video call; your guide may not administer your test) taken within 48 hours of the first day of your tour. For example, if your tour starts on the 12th, your test can be taken at any time on the 10th, 11th or 12th before the start of your tour.
You must take a test regardless of whether the country you fly into requires testing.
If you’re arriving more than two days before your tour starts, testing sites in Europe are widely available at airports, train stations, and local pharmacies, or the staff at your tour hotel can assist you with nearby testing locations. You may also contact the tour hotel before you depart for Europe to get information on testing locations. (Tour hotel contact information is available in your tour account.)
If you’d like to bring a self-test to Europe with you for the purpose of pre- or post-tour testing, you can do an internet search to find travel approved COVID tests; BinaxNow COVID-19 AG Card Home Test is one accepted brand.
