US Expected to Require Covid Test of all Incoming International Airline Passengers

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to-require-covid-19-tests-for-all-international-visitors-11610472867

Updated Jan. 12, 2021 12:55 pm ET

The U.S. government is expected to require all international airline passengers to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before boarding flights to the country, people familiar with the matter said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to issue its order as soon as Tuesday, following weeks of discussions among federal agencies and the White House coronavirus task force. The order is expected to go into effect Jan. 26, according to a person familiar with the matter. The CDC and other administration officials were still completing the order.

Yes, it looks like as per the CDC website this morning that it will be a viral test which means the are requiring a PCR test. This is the same test that Canadians are required to have when flying into Canada. Test must be done no more than 72hrs before flight.
I have been looking around Lakeside and El Logo lab behind the Chapala bus station is where I am getting mine. $3500 pesos and get the results 36 hrs. They gave me an appointment and the place is very clean. There is a lady there that speaks limited English but very informative. It is a small waiting area but lots of room to stand outside.
I just thought I would pass this info on if anyone is looking to get tested at a reasonable price. SA Hospital is $6500 pesos. Chopo is $4500 but you have to go to Guad. BestLab doesn't do a PCR test. GoLab takes 6-7 days

I will be flying from GDL to North Carolina on Jan 27 and will now need this Covid test. Where else can I get tested..other than the ones listed above? Waiting 3 days for results won't work. Thanks.

jgriff wrote:Yes, it looks like as per the CDC website this morning that it will be a viral test which means the are requiring a PCR test. This is the same test that Canadians are required to have when flying into Canada. Test must be done no more than 72hrs before flight.
 I have been looking around Lakeside and El Logo lab behind the Chapala bus station is where I am getting mine. $3500 pesos and get the results 36 hrs. They gave me an appointment and the place is very clean. There is a lady there that speaks limited English but very informative.  It is a small waiting area but lots of room to stand outside.
I just thought I would pass this info on if anyone is looking to get tested at a reasonable price.  SA Hospital is $6500 pesos. Chopo is $4500 but you have to go to Guad. BestLab doesn't do a PCR test. GoLab takes 6-7 days

CDC site says it will accept EITHER an NAAT test or an antigen test (but not an antibody test).  NAAT test is I ***believe*** a type of PCR test.  Canada will only accept a PCR test.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html#:~:text=On%20January%2012%2C%202021%2C%20CDC,airline%20before%20boarding%20the%20flight.

Was just informed that GO lab in SAT does the Antigen test...same day results for $900. pesos..... I'll be going there. No way I can wait 4 days for results.

Thanks Bisbeegal

This is the Canadian requirement from the Consulate email notification I received.

"The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or a Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada."

Doesn't look to me that the Canadian requirement will accept an antigen test. Maybe the US will??

Different countries, different rules. CDC in US quite clear.

Different countries, different rules. CDC in US quite clear.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html#:~:text=On%20January%2012%2C%202021%2C%20CDC,airline%20before%20boarding%20the%20flight.

When do I need to get a test to travel to the US? And what kind of test do I need?
Get tested no more than 3 days before your flight to the US departs. Make sure to be tested with a viral test (NAAT or antigen test) to determine if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Also make sure that you receive your results before your flight departs and have documentation of your results to show the airline.

Everything I've read says antigen tests are not acceptable. PCR tests only, and here they apparently range between 3500 and 6500p.

ComputerGuy wrote:Everything I've read says antigen tests are not acceptable. PCR tests only, and here they apparently range between 3500 and 6500p.

In US??? Please include link that says antigen test not acceptable. Thx.

Quick cut/paste very recent article in Wall Street Journal. FYI many travel sites say same, that Rapid Antigen test is fine under US CDC rules.
www.wsj.com › articles › the-ne...
The New Covid-19 Testing Rules for Travel to the U.S.—What They ...
1 hour ago — Airlines can accept both PCR and rapid antigen tests.

Mordita63 wrote:Was just informed that GO lab in SAT does the Antigen test...same day results for $900. pesos..... I'll be going there.  No way I can wait 4 days for results.

Is GO Lab still out where Mascaras used to be? Or did they move to SAT Hospital complex?

BisbeeGal wrote:

ComputerGuy wrote:Everything I've read says antigen tests are not acceptable. PCR tests only, and here they apparently range between 3500 and 6500p.

In US??? Please include link that says antigen test not acceptable. Thx.

My bad... I was reading Cdn sites, not US. Coulda sworn... anyway, bad info thankfully corrected.

Makes me wonder, though...

BisbeeGal wrote:

Mordita63 wrote:Was just informed that GO lab in SAT does the Antigen test...same day results for $900. pesos..... I'll be going there.  No way I can wait 4 days for results.

Is GO Lab still out where Mascaras used to be?  Or did they move to SAT Hospital complex?

Farmacia Maskaras, which is the same company as GO Labs, has a farmacia 1/2 block west of the SA Hospital on the Carretera in SAT. You can go there for your muestra or directly to the GO Lab in Riberas.  
They ARE NOT in the SA Hospital complex. They still have a farmacia in Riberas but the lab is several doors west of that, same side.

US Embassy Covd-19 Information
Updated yesterday, includes links to (sez it's non-comprehensive) list of acceptable labs throughout Mexico.