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COVID test to return to USA

I know this topic has been talked about here before so please bear with me as this requirement is causing me a bit of stress. I am leaving in a week for Italy and returning three weeks later. I know that if I test positive before departing from Italy, FCO, I cannot travel back to the states. How long do I have to stay in Rome before I am allowed to return to the USA?

Posted by
27 posts

Until you don’t have symptoms and either test negative or find a doctor to write you a recovery note. I’ve been following this very closely since I started traveling again last fall, and I’ve seen accounts of it taking anywhere from 5-10 days to get cleared for travel after you test positive. Back in the fall, it seemed like 10 days was pretty standard, but I’ve noticed more accounts of getting cleared in less time since around March of this year.

Posted by
8252 posts

There are two factors in play here.
1) The requirements of your host country
2) The requirements of the USA

1) You need to follow the quarantine/isolation requirements of your host country. We are talking about a month from now, so you will want to check what Italy's current requirements are closer to the time as they may change.
2) The current requirements of the USA require either a negative test or a certificate of recovery. Generally a certificate of recovery is available 5 days after an official positive covid test through telemedicine services. That 5 days is for someone who is either asymptomatic or who has symptoms that are consistently improving.
You can also seek a certificate of recovery from your personal doctor or from a doctor in your host country.
Some people find that they are testing negative before the 5 days are up and are good to go. Others are waiting 5 days ( or more) and getting a certificate of recovery.

There are explicit directions for obtaining a certificate of recovery on a thread on the Covid travel forum if you would like more detail.

Posted by
144 posts

FYI, you can purchase a travel policy which includes the cost of a 10 day quarantine.

Usually cheap, check out different policies, many offer medical coverage, but no quarantine expenses.

Call the company for clarification if needed. I did.

Cheers.

I'd like to mention that if you are traveling with United, you have to wait 10 days after the day you tested positive to fly. I only know this because I called them this morning to get information. They require that 10 days pass from the day you tested positive and also require a certificate of recovery. As a result, I may bring home test kits with us and have everyone test 5 days before our departure date so that if we were to test positive, the clock will begin ticking sooner. It would be really difficult for us to quarantine because of my work and dogs.

Posted by
5953 posts

Just be aware that if a self test gives you a positive you must then get an official test done and begin isolating thus “ending” your trip.

Posted by
1156 posts

This topic has been a big concern for so many. Having just returned from France, the same emotions carry over no matter where you travel. We were diligent with our masks, but unfortunately, there is no way to fully protect yourself from exposure. We were lucky, and totally thought we had a strong possibility of testing positive before our return given the hoards of tourists onboard the trains, buses, metros, etc. What airline are you flying? That will make a difference as they set their own policies as well. On Air France, they required masks, even when in U.S. airspace. They were very strict about it, and most all complied without argument. But people will be people, and out in the general public, you have absolutely no control over what others do. It's a risk we all take with travel, and hopefully, there will come a day when we won't have to worry about this anymore. Just be sure to check with your airline and their policies. Some people say that 5 days after testing positive you can get a certificate of recovery, and others cite the CDC as 10 days. It is quite confusing. Just have all your COVID travel insurance in order, and things at home covered in case you have to quarantine.
It's a damper to have to keep thinking about it while traveling, but enjoy yourself all the same. Italy is just wonderful.