I have been reading about some issues with Walgreens ID Now test, that they are not being accepted. When I look at their information online, Walgreens describes it as a Rapid Molecular Test. When I try to google a rapid molecular test, to see if it is a PCR test, I am not finding an answer. I have zero level of scientific knowledge about this kind of stuff, but it seems to be a different kind of a test altogether. I know someone posted that they got a response from EHAS, saying it is a PCR test, but I wonder, is that true?
Anyone that has taken it, have you gotten a report that said it is a PCR test??
You are incorrect. There have been some posts, including one HERE by eightzerobits, that said that they had a problem, flying YESTERDAY, because the gate agent said the test result did NOT say PCR. They substituted a different test and were approved. The fact that most people are getting through OK doesn't mean that it is in fact a PCR test. If SXM wants to accept it, even though it is not a PCR test, then that's fine, but the official rules say it has to be PCR or antigen. If they are going to say it is acceptable, even though it is not a PCR test, then the rules should say that.
The question remains--is it in FACT a PCR test? Knowing my luck, I will be the one who gets denied entry for using it, even though the vast majority of people are having no problem with it.
This doesn't answer your question but if St. Maarten approved the test and granted pre-approval, why would a gate agent question it. Makes no sense to me. Reminds me of the gate agent who tried to tell me that I should have an application form saying APPROVAL......not PRE-APPROVAL .
The question is--IS IT A PCR test?? If not, according to their official rules, it should not be accepted. If it is not a PCR test and they are accepting it anyway, then the official rules should say that test is acceptable. I don't blame the gate agent at all. The airlines are supposed to double-check people's paperwork, I guess. So, perhaps there should be an official pronouncement that says, if someone has their EHAS approval, then that's all the airline can check for. As I said, the fact that most people are having no problems does not give me a warm fuzzy. I would be the one they would deny entry to, or make me pay $150 each, or whatever it is on island, to get another test.
From the Abbot MD info sheet it sounds like it is a rapid PCR test that is a tad lass accurate than the RT-PCR but it does sound like a PCR
Quote
• IDNow Rapid COVID-19 PCR test will display on the Banner Bar, in the COVID field. o A positive rapid test will display as Detected July 8, 2021 o A presumptive negative rapid test will display as Not Detected o An invalid rapid test will display as Invalid o Once ordered and in progress, rapid test will display as Ordered
Yes it is. I used it and it’s fine. It’s airline people not understanding that a NAAT test is a PCR test. EHAS accepts it no problem. Airline personnel are the issue. Search the net and there are many mentions of it and on the Abbott page.
kim---I had not seen it referred to as a NAAT test before. The problem is, if someone can't get on the plane. I have heard of several reports where people were questioned about it, but not sure if anyone has actually been denied boarding.
Again, has anyone who has taken the test, had a print-out that says it is a PCR test? And in fact, the official rules say an RT PCR test, not just a PCR test.
This is for return to the US, but says “In addition to NAAT, phrases indicating a NAAT† could include, but are not limited to: • Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)”
In our experience, preapproval and the check at SXM where 100% question free. The checkin agent at PVD was just skimming the computer screen and then looking for bolder works on the test. Our papers were not checked again in CLT where we boarded for SXM.
Carol--I have a copy of an e-mail from EHAS to ProfLangue that was posted on travel talk awhile ago. (6-21-21 #258937) I kept a copy to bring with me to SXM in case someone questioned it. I thought it couldn't hurt to have it with me.
Carol, ID Now is not a RT-PCR test but is a molecular test that is a NAAT. All Molecular tests used to identify the Covid-19 virus are NAAT tests. (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test). St Maarten EHAS seems to be using multiple forms of NAAT testing for admission to the island just as they are using multiple forms of specimen samples. Both are in direct contradiction to their published rules and allows for arbitrary interpretation of the published rules.
You are right that they can deny you entry for not following their published rules but it seems that they are liberally accepting many testing samples and testing types for people that are submitting EHAS applications.
I've attached the report from an IDNOW test I took yesterday (with some details redacted). The report calls it a NAAT test, but does not mention PCR.
From a little bit of online research, it seems that these are closely related technologies. In fact I think NAAT is a broader term that would include PCR tests. It also seems that there were studies from the spring of 2020 that suggested the IDNOW test has a higher rate of false negatives than PCR. But I didn't find any info that was more recent or more definitive.
I don't blame the gate agent at all. The airlines are supposed to double-check people's paperwork, I guess.
Carol......I respectfully disagree. St. Maarten should be the interpreter of their regulations....not some gate agent. If I show up with a pre-approval form from St. Maarten, it is obvious that I have submitted a covid test that is acceptable and approved by St. Maarten. The gate agent should check to make sure I have my test report as that is required, but they should not be trying to determine if it is an acceptable test (St. Maarten has already ruled on that). I DO agree that St. Maarten could eliminate this possibility by clarifying in their written regulations that an IDNOW test is an acceptable 72 hour test.
CaribLee--I agree, SXM regulations should be amended, if they are going to say this test is acceptable. And it shouldn't be up to airline personnel to determine what the regulations mean. The airlines are in an impossible situation. I will say that when we went down in June, AA in Miami did not even look at our paperwork, just asked us if we had it. IF the airline would take a hands off attitude and say if visitors have the EHAS approval, that they won't even look at it, that will help everyone have more confidence.
Alternatively, residents from the USA and Canada can also do an antigen test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab performed within 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten. All FDA approved antigen tests using a nasopharyngeal sample including those with Emergency Use Authorization only (EUA) are accepted
So...PCR type....72 hours....Rapid antigen (any) ...48 hours...so checking by the airline for a PCR isn't appropriate
The difference is that the results are almost immediate, as compared to 'regular' PCR tests, which can take 1-3 days for results. And the timeline ahead of time you can do a PCR test is 72 hours, versus 48 hours for an antigen test, which, again, many antigen tests take around 24 hours for results.
We did the CVS rt-PCR but hadn’t gotten results yet. Not only had American changed our flight to a day earlier to overnight in CLT, but it was also right when rules changed to 72 hrs. We quickly also got the ID Now at Walgreens as insurance. Used that for approval on EHAS. When we got to gate in KC, the agent was carefully reading St. Maarten rules, checking each item of paperwork. She got to ID Now results and refused them. After about 10 min. of talking with her supervisor, she approved it. Fortunately we had finally received our back up email from CVS just in case.
If time, I will probably do both again. There was no charge at either pharmacy. IMHO, If St. Maarten is going to allow ID Now, they need to change the rules they send to airlines.
Can the CVS rapid test be used for entry to SXM? We are scheduled for the PCR test on Tuesday but we are nervous about getting the results back in time for our flight. Our Walgreens location doesn’t offer the PCR and ID Now test. We are also flying AA and that seems to be where many others have had issues with the ID Now test.
And with the increase in positive Covid cases the work load at labs is going to slow down test results.
This is cut and pasted off my returned test result from last May. "This nucleic acid amplification test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by LabCorp Laboratories. Nucleic acid amplification tests include RT-PCR and TMA. This test has not been FDA cleared or approved. This test has been authorized by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This test is only authorized for the duration of time the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of in vitro diagnostic tests for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 infection under section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3(b) (1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. When diagnostic testing is negative, the possibility of a false negative result should be considered in the context of a patient's recent exposures and the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19. An individual without symptoms of COVID-19 and who is not shedding SARS-CoV-2 virus would expect to have a negative (not detected) result in this assay."
I think it is important to note that the person in the other thread was not refused boarding when the gate agent questioned their test not having "PCR" written on it, only that since they had another test result available they used it rather than to WAIT WHILE THE AGENT GOT CLARIFICATION.
I found this on the website of another outfit offering the ID now test (the bold is mine). It clearly states that the ID NOW test IS a PCR test.
Rapid Molecular PCR Testing
While PCR tests for COVID-19 once could only be done in labs, they can now be carried out quickly on-site, producing results in a matter of minutes. Where these rapid COVID testing units are available, they are a great option for getting fast and reliable results.
At Physicians Immediate Care, we are able to offer the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 Rapid Molecular PCR test (This is a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test – NAAT) with results in under 15 minutes. We prefer this test due to its high accuracy (less than a 0.5% chance that a negative result is inaccurate) and speed of results. Results are available in less than 15 minutes, making it the fastest rapid point of care molecular COVID-19 test. Fast, accurate results help us follow up immediately and provide the best possible care for our patients.
It's ridiculous that the airline personnel would decide that your approval from EHAS isn't sufficient. That should be all they're looking at.
Blame the St Maarten government. They are the ones that provide the orders to the airlines on what they have to check. And it wasn’t a simple two sentences either. It was a lengthy block of text that came up on the self-checkin screen for the agent.
"Airlines might require you to show a negative lab test result."
I have no idea what instructions St. Maarten gives to the airlines, but the above language is the only thing I can find in St. Maarten's posted regulations. The airlines should be checking to make sure you have a negative lab test....not trying to determine if it is the "correct" test. St. Maarten has already determined this by giving pre-approval.
...and having a document that says "PRE- approval" rather than "Approval" adds to the confusion
It does confuse, but the terminology is correct, even before covid, you were never guaranteed entry to a country, even if you had all the correct visas passport etc, the final decision is always made by the immigration officer when you attempt entry.
Maybe an APPROVED TO FLY heading may make more sense
We used the the Walgreens ID Now for our May trip. It took a while to convince the Delta agent at DTW that she should let us through. In Atlanta, I was relieved that the agent only wanted to see the pre-approval form from EHAS because I had been super stressed that the agent was going to ask us for the test results and have the same reaction as the person at DTW.
I politely referred her to the EHAS approval several times--at least 7 times. And I used my best impersonation of someone speaking with authoritative knowledge concerning covid tests--i.e. complete BS. Needless to say, if a test is still required next year, I'll be looking for a different one. The trip down was a way to stressful start for a vacation. However, the relief and excitement upon landing and getting through customs was amazing. The stress of travel and testing just melted away. Leslie had our car waiting for us, and we arrived at our studio in short order.
I never asked for a supervisor because the agent stated early on that she was in a difficult position because it was her responsibility to make the decision and she didn't have enough information about the various covid tests. At DTW, I was not thinking about being stranded at ATL. ATL seemed more nerve-wracking to me.
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