COVID Testing requirements for traveling to Florence

Posted by kentsuesmith on 09/07/21 11:09 PM

Understand that we now need to have a negative COVID test results within 72 hours of arrival in Italy. Our flight (from WA state) leaves a full day before we arrive in FLR, giving us just 48 hours to receive our test results prior to departure. Does anyone know if any of the rapid antigen tests (for instance, those available at Walgreens, BinaxNOW3, is acceptable as a test method? If so, Can we do the in-home test or do we have to have a ‘proctored’ test?

Any recommendations/advice are welcomed. Thanks

Posted by Terri

Florida

09/07/21 11:42 PM

137 posts

You must do the proctored test if doing from home.

Posted by Amber C

Minneapolis, MN

09/08/21 03:18 AM

99 posts

A couple suggestions for you. Have you explored seeing if you have any rapid testing sites near you locally? We've been using CVS's rapid testing sites near us to get the required tests for travel. They have designated locations with the rapid tests for travel.

https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing

If no or other rapid testing location nearby, then you would need a test that is supervised. BinaxNOW has one, but I haven't done the supervised one from them (I think it uses on demand appointments with eMed).

Ellume is now distributing their kits through CVS: https://www.cvs.com/shop/ellume-covid-19-home-test-digital-results-in-15-minutes-prodid-431742
You then schedule an online observation appointment separately for $15. They then supervise you through the test. This is the one we did to come back to the US. You get a PDF with your results from the app. You might be able to get a kit from a local CVS, then go online and get the appointment.

I hope this helps!

Posted by Cdtravel

Chicago

09/08/21 04:41 PM

10 posts

Looking at the iata map (https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php) Italy requires a negative "antigen or molecular test taken at most 72 hours before arrival." Seeing as the BinaxNOW3 is an antigen test, it seems it would be sufficient (that's what we plan to do). But you'll definitely need it proctored if you do a self-swab.

EDIT: Now, the embassy states that a PCR test is sufficient (https://it.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/), so its up to you if you want to try at-home PCR tests, but I'd rather stick with antigen or molecular. Just my view.

Posted by Paul

Eastern Iowa, USA

09/08/21 05:08 PM

8176 posts

The rapid antigen test is fine, and I think preferable. The PCR tests can take a couple days for results, depending on your area, and you will need the results to board. We went to Walgreens for the rapid test, they guarantee 24 hour results, but ours was ready in about 3 hours.

The airline that boards your flight to Europe are the only people that will look at the test results, same with your PLF.

Posted by mhazen74

09/08/21 05:44 PM

17 posts

We needed negative test results for a vacation in August. We got our results for the NAAT (molecular) test at Walgreens within 2 hours. We also did the antigen test at CVS (long story) and got those results in 15 minutes. It took a bit longer (a couple hours) to get the email with the pdf to print, but I wasn't even home yet when they called to tell me the result. You can schedule testing appts at CVS several weeks in advance, at least in my area, and at Walgreens three days in advance.