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Covid testing to return to USA

We are Americans returning to the USA from Amsterdam in August, where can we get a PCR test w guaranteed quick results w/in the 3 day requirement? Thanks!

Posted by
12 posts

Thanks, do you know the location or website ? We are worried about having the results back in time

Posted by
2207 posts

Unfortunately, those FREE Tests are no more... https://dutchreview.com/news/travellers-can-no-longer-be-tested-for-free/
The article, in part, states:

Travelers no longer tested for free: Dutch lab is overwhelmed. Yesterday, the director of Lead Healthcare (who provides the coronavirus tests in cooperation with the GGDs) announced that they will stop the free testing scheme.
Testing temporarily stopped - Lead Healthcare has 100 testing locations throughout the Netherlands where travelers were tested for free. The promise to travelers was that they’d have their results within 24 hours of testing — plenty of time before they’d need to show the result in the airport. However, due to being “extremely busy,” that promise couldn’t be kept. Many travelers have now had to cancel vacation plans last minute. Therefore, Lead Healthcare has decided to temporarily stop the free testing...
Not prepared for the increase in infections - Last weekend, there was an “explosive growth” in the number of people who came in for testing. On an average weekend the main laboratory processes 2000 tests but last weekend this number skyrocketed to 15,000. A spokesperson for the lab says that they are simply not equipped to handle that amount of tests.

it looks like they will try and reorganize their plan, but not sure how many Dutch will participate as thousands were stranded at Schiphol, waiting on test results.

Posted by
12 posts

Ty for the update !Are there other options ? I am happy to pay for testing as
Long as they guarantee quick results
To make our flight? Any idea how in’s find testing sites ? Ty!

Posted by
2207 posts

Not sure where you're last stop is, but test sites are in every town. No doubt your accommodations can direct you. If you can't find one, you can always go to AMS Schiphol early and get the currently required antigen test to reenter the USA at the airport - see https://test2fly.com/. This quick test (results generally in less than 30 minutes) meets the current US requirements.

Posted by
52 posts

@RnR - That testToFly website states "Travelers traveling to Schiphol by plane must have a negative antigen rapid test taken directly before departure. The antigen rapid test can be up to 4 hours old when you board the aircraft and is in addition to the mandatory negative PCR test which can be no older than 72 hours."

So apparently one has to take a test within three days of departure for CDC requirements and also a rapid test within 4 hours of departure for Schipol airport requirements??? I previously thought it was just the one test. At any rate, it is all a bit confusing. Seems like too much trouble. I'll wait until they allow vaccinated people to be exempt.

Posted by
351 posts

Mbrat,

Based on my research, my plan will be to bring testing kits with us. I came across the AZOVA/Ellume Rapid Antigen Testing Kit on Delta Airlines website which allows you to brings tests with you and it appears they certify the testing results by being on video chat with you when you do the actual test. (If anyone has experience with this, I would love to hear your thoughts.)

Delta also provided the following link for testing sites, just type in where you will be:
https://delta.trustassure.app/map?q=Amsterdam,%20North%20Holland,%20Netherlands@52.3727598,4.8936041@nl

Posted by
11 posts

We return from France through GVA in Sept and have been looking for conveniently located testing sites open on a weekend in Lyon. While there are some, they may not be easy to reach via public transportation and don't have the best hours to work into a sightseeing itinerary. There is also a testing center at GVA but I am leery of waiting until the day before to get a test, even though they do promise results in 15 minutes. I believe our best bet, as suggested above, is to purchase a test kit before leaving (available at Walgreens!) and do it online. I have heard that these online kits are acceptable for US reentry.