Colombia / Travel Coronavirus Updates

[Zeos1]

This is what it says on the Colombian government website, https://idm.presidencia.gov.co/prens...cNcre5Akfc9-X4 : "Para el ingreso a Colombia se debe practicar una prueba PCR y el resultado no debe ser mayor a 96 horas antes de la hora estipulada de vuelo." That plainly states the results can be no more than 96 hours before the flight. Mojo Bandit has referenced that information at least twice in this thread. Please post a link to where it says the test must be within 96 hours, or are you just shooting from the hip again.

It is clear to me in Spanish. Both have to be within 96 hours, it is "Y" not "o". To get into Colombia one must have a PCR test. AND. The result no more than 96 hours from the start of the flight.

[NeilGeorge]

According to this info on the FDA website the one test you can get back in 15 minutes is not PCR test but an antigen test but it also states that some molecular tests are also rapid test so I think if I went to take a rapid test I would clarify with the testing facility if it was a "PCR" test. Also called a "molecular" test.

I just checked with a microbiologist at the hospital where I practice. He said molecular is an antigen test, rapid and true. But may need a second test. If it is positive.

[Kazeu]

The wording (as translated by Google Translate) on the Colombian president's page "PCR test must be performed" and "the result must not be greater" than 96 hours before the stipulated flight time. I would take this as to mean that the collection of specimen must have been within 96 hours because while of course one could argue this but the "PCR test must be performed" most likely means collected. One can argue that "must be performed" means when the lab actually applies the testing procedure but that would not have any meaning to bear on the situation so I think all of these things should probably happen within 96 hours of the flight to be safe.

This is interesting. There are several companies that offer mail in kits for covid testing. One company mails you a kit with prepaid next day fedex. You supply a saliva sample and send it to them, it arrives the next day. Say it takes them 12 hrs to process the sample. The time between the sample is taken and the test result is probably about a day. In this case the time the test is performed is substantially different from when the specimen is collected.

[Kazeu]

I am guessing but I would think that they are surely talking about the initial flight that you board on your initial destination. I would certainly make sure it was all booked together though, not say book a flight to Miami and then book a separate flight from Miami to Colombia.

I have my flights booked with a 20+ HR layover in FLL before taking the international leg FLL- MDE flight. For me, if this is true, my 96 HR negative covid test becomes a 72 HR negative covid test.

[Mojo Bandit]

2. In the case of flights with multiple legs, a domestic leg and the final FLL - CTG international leg, should 96 hours before flight time be taken to mean 96 hours before the domestic leg flight time or the international leg?

This can make a huge difference, some layovers are overnight even.

I am guessing but I would think that they are surely talking about the initial flight that you board on your initial destination. I would certainly make sure it was all booked together though, not say book a flight to Miami and then book a separate flight from Miami to Colombia.

[Mojo Bandit]

The rapid tests you can have back in 15 mins. Perhaps not as accurate but that would make the most sense if it meets their criteria.

According to this info on the FDA website the one test you can get back in 15 minutes is not PCR test but an antigen test but it also states that some molecular tests are also rapid test so I think if I went to take a rapid test I would clarify with the testing facility if it was a "PCR" test. Also called a "molecular" test.

[Mojo Bandit]

Doesn't that depend on how the results are dated? Are the results dated with the day of the biological sample was taken? That would seem to be the most accurate way. Or are they dated by when the biological sample was actually processed by the lab? Maybe someone who knows more about tests can comment further.

The wording (as translated by Google Translate) on the Colombian president's page "PCR test must be performed" and "the result must not be greater" than 96 hours before the stipulated flight time. I would take this as to mean that the collection of specimen must have been within 96 hours because while of course one could argue this but the "PCR test must be performed" most likely means collected. One can argue that "must be performed" means when the lab actually applies the testing procedure but that would not have any meaning to bear on the situation so I think all of these things should probably happen within 96 hours of the flight to be safe.

[Mojo Bandit]

I've been reading through the comments in the article referenced below. They are quite interesting. There are the obvious conclusions that indeed travel is opening up and that a negative PCR covid test, taken not greater than 96 hours before the flight, will be required. But there are still many questions:

1. What kind of PCR test? As far as I know, there are 3 types.

https://rapidtesttravel.com/types-of-tests/

They all take different amounts of time to process. With rapid being the fastest I'm assuming.

2. In the case of flights with multiple legs, a domestic leg and the final FLL - CTG international leg, should 96 hours before flight time be taken to mean 96 hours before the domestic leg flight time or the international leg?

This can make a huge difference, some layovers are overnight even.

Concerning the PCR test on this FDA web here there is a page there is a chart. The PCR test is listed as being in the column under "Molecular Test".

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consum...testing-basics

How quickly you can get your results are going to depend entirely on the testing facility you choose so obviously you need to ask when they can guarantee you will get the results back.

[Constant]

Newer tests are done in 15 minutes. People should go to centers that have rapid testing.

You don't understand. Tests required are PRC type. Like all over the world.

They are done at the clinics, with results in 24-48 h, at a cost of 150-250 $ - aprox.

Newer kind, PCR. One, from Scope Fluidcs, should get popular sometime next year, then that will be 15 min and 5 $.

[Kazeu]

Doesn't that depend on how the results are dated? Are the results dated with the day of the biological sample was taken? That would seem to be the most accurate way. Or are they dated by when the biological sample was actually processed by the lab? Maybe someone who knows more about tests can comment further.

This is what it says on the Colombian government website, https://idm.presidencia.gov.co/prens...cNcre5Akfc9-X4 : "Para el ingreso a Colombia se debe practicar una prueba PCR y el resultado no debe ser mayor a 96 horas antes de la hora estipulada de vuelo." That plainly states the results can be no more than 96 hours before the flight. Mojo Bandit has referenced that information at least twice in this thread. Please post a link to where it says the test must be within 96 hours, or are you just shooting from the hip again.

[Fun Luvr]

To be clear, this will not work. The test itself has to be done within 96 hours of your departure. And then you also have to get the results back in order to have them with you.

This is what it says on the Colombian government website, https://idm.presidencia.gov.co/prens...cNcre5Akfc9-X4 : "Para el ingreso a Colombia se debe practicar una prueba PCR y el resultado no debe ser mayor a 96 horas antes de la hora estipulada de vuelo." That plainly states the results can be no more than 96 hours before the flight. Mojo Bandit has referenced that information at least twice in this thread. Please post a link to where it says the test must be within 96 hours, or are you just shooting from the hip again.

[GeneHickman]

To be clear, this will not work. The test itself has to be done within 96 hours of your departure. And then you also have to get the results back in order to have them with you.

The rapid tests you can have back in 15 mins. Perhaps not as accurate but that would make the most sense if it meets their criteria.

[Zeos1]

The test results can be no more than 96 hours before departure. Take the test a week before departure and the results should come back within the required timeframe. Just make sure the lab takes at least three days to give you the results. Or, you could do the test six days before departure.

To be clear, this will not work. The test itself has to be done within 96 hours of your departure. And then you also have to get the results back in order to have them with you.

[Kazeu]

I've been reading through the comments in the article referenced below. They are quite interesting. There are the obvious conclusions that indeed travel is opening up and that a negative PCR covid test, taken not greater than 96 hours before the flight, will be required. But there are still many questions:

1. What kind of PCR test? As far as I know, there are 3 types.

https://rapidtesttravel.com/types-of-tests/

They all take different amounts of time to process. With rapid being the fastest I'm assuming.

2. In the case of flights with multiple legs, a domestic leg and the final FLL - CTG international leg, should 96 hours before flight time be taken to mean 96 hours before the domestic leg flight time or the international leg?

This can make a huge difference, some layovers are overnight even.

Colombia to Gradually Reopen International Flights From Sept. 21 - US News & World Report.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/ar...s-from-sept-21

Here are some relevant quotes from this article:

"The Health Ministry is drawing up security protocols that include requiring travelers to take a coronavirus tests and for their results to be negative, Orozco said. " (Minister of Transport Angela Maria Orozco).

"International flights will restart with a gradual first phase which will be announced shortly," the minister said in a recorded statement.

The resumption of international flights will depend on destination countries, airport capacity, and the interest of the airlines, Orozco said.

There are slightly more details in this article, International Flights Return to Colombia Starting in September. Medellin Guru.

https://medellinguru.com/international-flights/

Here are some relevant quotes from this article:

"On September 14, Colombia's Minister of Transport confirmed that international flights to Colombia will resume on September 21 and Colombia will have more than 15 international destinations in October".

"The first international flight from Colombia is reportedly from Medelland to Cartagena to Miami on Viva Air. ".

"Minister of Transport, ngela Mara Orozco announced that Colombia will require a negative PCR test for COVID-19, although the times of its taking are not yet specified. ".

[Elvis 2008]

The test results can be no more than 96 hours before departure. Take the test a week before departure and the results should come back within the required timeframe. Just make sure the lab takes at least three days to give you the results. Or, you could do the test six days before departure.

Newer tests are done in 15 minutes. People should go to centers that have rapid testing.