USA and France Observed Lateral Flow Test

COVID Travel Regulations [Updates - 07-DEC-2021] 

To enter the UK a negative COVID-19 Test result is required.

The requirements for COVID-19 testing to enter France and the USA has been updated.

New regulations to Enter France using Antigen/ Lateral Flow test from the UK

France currently holds the UK on its amber list.

After 4th Dec, fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 years old or over, travelling from outside of the European Union must have proof of a negative COVID test. This can be either a negative Lateral Flow test or a negative PCR test. Fully vaccinated travellers are required to take these tests no later than 48 hours before travel, but unvaccinated travellers must take a test no later than 24 hours before travel.

An Observed Lateral Flow test by PExpo can be taken by which includes a Lateral Flow Antigen Test with a telehealth video consultation to verify the result. These are UK Government listed and FDA authorized.

Requirements for traveling to France from an Amber country:

Fully Vaccinated Individuals

The UK is currently on the amber list for France. Fully vaccinated travellers arriving in France do not need an essential reason to travel to France, and they do not need to self-isolate on arrival either.

Upon arrival fully vaccinated travellers are required to provide the following documents:

• Proof of records showing that they are fully vaccinated.

• Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (either PCR or Lateral Flow Test) that has been taken no later than 48 hours before travel.

• A document known as, “déclaration sur l’honneur”. It is a document which can be downloaded from the French governmental website that’s acts as a self-declaration that the traveller it belongs to does not have any symptoms associated with Coronavirus and that they have not come into contact with anyone who has had a confirmed cases within the last 2 weeks before travel.

Partially Vaccinated or Unvaccinated Individuals

If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, then you will only be allowed into France if you have an essential reason to be there. The permitted reasons vary per country and can be found online.

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, will need to self-isolate for 7 days upon arrival in France, then take another PCR test following this period of self-isolation.

Upon arrival unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers will need to provide the following documents:

• A completed International Travel Certificate which documents their reason for travel (that must be essential). In rare exceptional circumstances travellers may be permitted to travel for reasons other than those listed as essential if the French Consulate in London agrees.

• Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (either PCR or Lateral Flow Test) that has been taken no later than 24 hours before travel. The time period to do the COVID test before travelling from non-European Union countries may vary depending on the country of departure for unvaccinated travellers, so it is important to check this. Self-administered tests will also not be accepted.

• A document known as, “déclaration sur l’honneur”. It is a document which can be downloaded from the French governmental website that’s acts as a self-declaration that the traveller it belongs to does not have any symptoms associated with Coronavirus and that they have not come into contact with anyone who has had a confirmed cases within the last 2 weeks before travel.

New regulations to enter the USA using PExpo Observed Lateral Flow Test 

Before 06DEC2021 vaccinated travelers could take a pre-departure test 3 days before travel. After 06DEC2021 the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has shortened this window for all travelers traveling to the USA by air. Now all travellers must take a pre-departure Lateral Flow Antigen PExpo test no later than one day before traveling to the USA.

Upon arrival into the USA, fully vaccinated travelers in general do not have to self-isolate, however each state may have its own rules, so it is important to check.

Anyone traveling to the USA after the 6th of December 2021 can use the PExpo Later Flow Antigen Test to enter the country as long as it is not taken later than one day before traveling.