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Does U.S. accept a rapid antigen test for re-entry?

Posted by on

I'm hoping to get 100% confirmation on this question, so if you could refrain from any speculation or unclear information that would be appreciated!

When I read the updated May 2021 guidelines posted on CDC.gov and "re-posted" by my airline, I interpret the information to say that a Rapid Antigen Test (as opposed to a costlier and delayed PCR test) is acceptable for re-entry into the United States after traveling ANYWHERE outside the country (including any countries on the European continent).

I ask this question because there is A LOT of misinformation or outdated information posted by seemingly reputable media outfits when trying to get to a straight answer. Some media stories (even current ones) report that a PCR test is still required for re-entry, and I dispute that information based on how I am reading the current CDC requirements.

My family of 4, all fully vaccinated, have flights scheduled from New York JFK to Barcelona, Spain in early August. I want to make sure I only need us to receive the Rapid Antigen Test results upon returning to the U.S. Those tests are provided at all major airports in Spain (including Barcelona); results are available in 15 minutes and are much cheaper than waiting on the PCR test results that take 1-2 days.

Thanks!

Posted by
2622 posts

Returning from Cancun, Mexico to the US in May, we were fine with the rapid antigen test.

This was a Delta flight. When we checked in for our flight, we filled out an attestation that we had a negative COVID test in our possession. The attestation was supplied as a screen to click through as part of the check in process.

They checked our test results twice at the airport - once as we approached the ticket counter and once at the ticket counter itself. No one ever looked at them again.

Posted by
10176 posts

Yes, the quick Antigen test is accepted. I flew to the US from France on February 2 and the antigen test was accepted even then.

Beware a last minute airport test because some on Cruise Critic reported that they have had virus particles up their noses that caused them to test positive. One person who had enough time to retest the next day, tested negative the second time. The other person had to cancel her whole trip and her test results were reported to the health department. Both were vaccinated. These people aren't ill, won't get ill, won't spread it to others, but had been exposed to the particles and had them in the nasal passages.

So if you can, give yourself over 24 hours instead of one hour, blow your nose before the swab, stay masked if you have a test coming up.

Full disclosure: I tested at the airport in February, but everyone was masked and had been since it was mandated the previous August.

Posted by
9549 posts

Yes, the antigen test is acceptable for entry into the United States. I flew from France to the U.S. with an antigen test on May 13.

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