At-Home COVID Antigen Test

I just returned from Italy and used the Abbott at home antigen test to get back to the US with no problem.

The OP is , of course, asking a different question.

That's great to know coming home! I am bringing two with me over to Italy for the flight home. Thank you

An antigen test qualifies for entry to both Italy and the US. Home tests generally are allowed, provided they are proctored by a third party and that third party has some authority to issue a lab report of the results. Just doing a home test and saying it was negative is not. The test must be performed no more than 24 hours before arrival in Italy.

You also need to check with your airline, there have been some reports of airlines not accepting certain brands of home tests, or all home tests. Make sure you indicate that the test will be remotely proctored by a third party, the term "home test" is confusing. Your airline, not Italy, will determine the acceptability of your test, the responsibility has been delegated to them.

Thank you for the helpful reply. There is a lab technician that monitors/approves the at-home test result. I will check with the airline too.

How do these at-home tests work? Do you get online with someone? I find it all confusing.

Others on here have used them, I have not, but basically you need to purchase both the test and additional cost for the proctoring. It is confusing that the same tests are available without the proctoring, so just saying "home test" causes confusion as well.

To do the proctored test you need a phone or PC with video, you set up an appointment, go into a video chat with the technician. They witness you perform the test, helping you along if needed. You and the test remain visible until the test is complete, you show the results, and the technician concurs and issues you a test report, usually by email.

In addition to a smartphone or PC/Laptop, you need to download an app, usually while you are in the US. You of course need Data Service or WiFi for the test proctoring.

this might help
Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag At-Home Test Kit 6 Pack
https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en

Thank you everyone for the assistance! Much appreciated. Hope everyone has a nice holiday season.

Thank you , Paul! I guess I think it would be wise to make sure you know exactly where to go (in the U.S. or Italy) within those 24 hours before flying if the WiFi connection won’t work. I guess the at-home thing makes me a bit apprehensive, although it seems easy.

I've used the non-proctored over the counter test kits several times now, (for non-travel purposes). If you've not ever done any similar self-test, its easy to mess up the sample collection and handling of the parts. I'd want to take a back up, or maybe practice with a non-proctored test once before leaving.

We did the Binax/eMed proctored prior to traveling. It was simple- they lead you through and directions are printed on the screen as they talk. You wait to open the kit, show ID and scan a bar code once you are connected and ready to test. Then you wait 15 minutes, hit a button on the screen to let them know you are ready and a proctor comes back on to read results. If you lose connection during the test (which we did) there is a spot on the screen to hit to be reconnected. You may not get the same proctor but they pick up where the previous one left off (they are all obviously using the same script). They immediately email you the results you can download &/or print. We attached results to the Delta on-line form & no one has asked to see results anywhere. I’m glad we used it at home, so know what to expect for return. We carried kits (2 each) with us to test to get back to US. As mentioned, our only concern is WiFi coverage, but we’ve spoken with our B&B owner and she plans to help us get the best possible. We are also using a VPN.

@desimonela - if you lose connection, then how can they be sure it is the same test?

There is a bar code on the test that they have you hold to the camera before you start testing and again to read the test. Also, when you order the kits you must enter the names of those who will be using the kits. So, I’m sure those kits are registered to us.
We did ours this AM for our return flight to the US and it worked without any issues. We’ve been careful, but I have to say we both breathed a sigh of relief when we got negatives!

Are these expensive? I think it is a good idea to do a trial run just to see how it all works.

$150/ 6 pack
Link as above
https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en

lulu348, they have had kits of two tests in pharmacies around here for $25-30 USD. But there is now a national shortage of them and they sell out as soon as they hit the shelves. Check with CVS of you have them in your city. They have been the place I've seen them the most.

I paid about $24 at CVS for a box containing two non-proctored tests. Mine were not Abbott; I hadn't heard of the brand before.

Good evening from Rome. Thank you for all the advice. I wanted to post an update from my experience. I flew TAP EWR-LIS-FCO and to my horror, TAP would not accept the Abbott at-home test that I took with a Procter. It was the test United has advertised and pushed. I had to run to the testing center at EWR, made a last minute appointment for $250 and ran to my gate. I made my flight by seconds. I brought those same test with me to Rome and do not trust them, because of TAP, to get me home so I am finding a testing location in Rome before I leave. There is a lot of confusion out there and may this is just an airline problem but it was a HUGE stress. Being in Rome has made the anxiety worth it.

Thank you for the update and I’m so sorry about the hassle. Will you please let us know of a center you found in Rome to do the test?

For both the OP and others; testing in Rome to head back to the US is easy. Simply pay attention as you are wandering around, most Pharmacies will advertise, or have a tent/kiosk out front, where they do testing.

Fill out a simple form, wait in line (usually not long), test, get results in about 20 minutes, cost is 20 to 30 euro. I stayed in the Trastevere, there were three test centers within 2-3 blocks of my hotel.

rfgorka - I’m glad I didn’t read about your situation until we were through the first leg of our return! How stressful for you!
Just to follow up with our experience, we had no trouble at the Florence airport with KLM. They accepted our emed proctored antigen test results. We were, however, unable to use the online early verification due to the vaccination certification. A short time after submitting, they emailed us back a response stating:
“- The COVID-19 proof of vaccination is invalid
Reason(s):
- The document must not be handwritten or modified.”
But, no problems once we showed the CDC cards at the counter at the airport.

@rfgorka…yikes! Thanks so much for your update. What a huge stress for you! I am glad you were able to get the test even at a huge cost and are now enjoying Rome.