Scheduling pre-departure tests on a business trip

[albatross710]

Now that things are looking much more likely that we (AFF members) can get overseas and back soon, how does the PCR testing fit into a work schedule?
Let's assume by the time I leave Qld has acceptable return requiremetns.
Let's say I want to do two weeks in California, start visiting clients there on a Monday, finish up the following week.

Thursday
In Brisbane on Thursday - get covid test as according to CDC "f you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get a viral test no more than 3 days before you travel by air into the United States (US) and show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight"

Is this test chargeable or bulk-billed to Medicare?

Saturday Morning (Au)
Board flight to USA

Saturday Morning (USA)
Arrive with a negative test result

Next 12 days
circulate around LA & SF, changing hotels each 2-3 days, visiting 6 different corporate offices

last Wednesday in USA
Attend a clinic like this one COVID-19 Test in Los Angeles CA | RT PCR, Antigen & Antibody and take one of these tests, probably the USD150 test




As the Australia flights leave on Friday evening the results may not be back if I did the test Thursday.

Wednesday - Friday
Continue circulating in the USA community

Thursday evening
If positive, reschedule the return


Friday Evening
If negative, board flight back to Australia

Sunday morning AU time
Arrive into Australia with a negative test which is now 5 calendar days old.


Thoughts?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My only thought is on the 'Wednesday-Friday: Continue circulating in the USA community'... the Aust govt website recommends:

I have had my COVID-19 PCR test - should I quarantine myself until I get the result?​

To reduce your chances of catching COVID-19 after taking your PCR test, it is recommended that you quarantine at home and minimise all social interactions for the period between taking your test and going to the airport for your flight.

Pre-travel PCR tests are not covered by medicare.

 

[Must...Fly!]

To reduce your chances of catching COVID-19 after taking your PCR test, it is recommended that you quarantine at home and minimise all social interactions for the period between taking your test and going to the airport for your flight.

One would assume the chances of catching COVID before your PCR test are the same as catching it after your PCR test...

 

[Must...Fly!]

I have found going to the relevant departure airport's website to be a good starting point for where to find reliable information on pre-departure testing location, costs, options etc.

For Los Angeles for example.

LAX Official Site | Travel Safely

LAX Official Site | Travel Safely Guidelines

www.flylax.com

I would probably stump for the US$199 rapid PCR test I suppose, particularly if it's a work trip as it may be tax deductible at least. Minimal fuss. Certainly international leisure trips are going to cost another few hundred each time for the foreseeable.

 

[albatross710]

thanks for the feedback MEL_traveller & Must...Fly.

I included the continue to circulate phrase as it doesn't make sense for the delays in the testing regime. Getting the tests as close as possible to departure is good and probably worth the extra fee.

Going to be a fun year.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thanks for the feedback MEL_traveller & Must...Fly.

I included the continue to circulate phrase as it doesn't make sense for the delays in the testing regime. Getting the tests as close as possible to departure is good and probably worth the extra fee.

Going to be a fun year.

I suspect they will drop the whole PCR thingy in the not too distant future. Most people probably won't isolate between taking the test and flying, meaning the tests might not be so useful.

15-minute testing at the airport would be more helpful, followed by an express PCR test (1 hour) to confirm any positive results.