Easy COVID Testing: BinaxNOW At Home COVID Test

During these unprecedented times travel has changed more than nearly anything else. While some airlines and hotels are starting to recover, travel as a whole will likely stay changed for years to come. Through extra steps and more extensive planning, travel is possible, but it is not as simple as it used to be.

As I pack for trips during these weird times, I am not only bringing masks, wipes and hand sanitizer, I am also bringing Abbott Health BinaxNOW At Home Covid  Test. This test is making international travel much easier for Americans because it allows you to receive a Covid test that is valid to reenter the United States. After using this covid test twice I would highly recommend bringing some of these tests along to anyone traveling right now.

You can purchase BinaxNOW’s test in smaller quantities from Optum including $50 for one test, $70 for two test, or $100 for three tests. Additionally, eMED, the site used to conduct the video call for the test, costs $150 for six tests. Please note that these tests are different from the option Abbott sells in-store, which is $24 for two tests, but cannot be used to reenter the United States because it does not include the zoom call from eMED. It is also recommended to bring more than one test per person as there is a chance that a test comes back inconclusive and you do not want to be running out to a COVID testing clinic at the last minute. So far, this has been my experience with the test:

I have purchased tests from both Abbott and Optum, and both arrived within two days of my order. I packed the tests in my carry on as recommended and always brought more than one per person for the trip. Two days before return to the United States (within the three day limit) I took out the COVID test, went to eMED.com and logged into my Navica account. 

After filling out a short survey stating my situation and that I was using the test to reenter the United States, I was connected to an agent. Although I have heard horror stories of people waiting multiple hours to get through to an agent, I believe the issue has been resolved as I was connected instantly. 

The agent instructed me to open the box, taking out all three parts. My agent had me scan the QR code on the test. I was then instructed to open the test, lying it flat and dropping 6 drops of the included liquid. Then I was told to take out the nasal swab, and swab each nostril 5 times going fully around. Then I inserted the nasal swab into the test, removed the adhesive protector and sealed it shut. I was instructed to leave the COVID test in place for 15 minutes and that a new agent would be with me after the timer on the screen disappeared. 

Fifteen minutes later I signed back on and another agent instantly connected. She had me to scan the QR code once again before verifying my results. The control line would stay purple if it was negative, but both the control and sample lines would turn purple if it was positive. There is also a chance of an inconclusive result. After checking the result and explaining it to me, the agent told me that my test results would arrive in the Navica app or by email within 15 minutes and they wished me on my way.

Through this incredible at home test, I was able to get a valid result that allowed me to reenter the United States without having to enter a testing clinic or wait hours for my results. The entire process took less than 25 minutes both times I have done it. I would highly recommend anyone traveling to the United States using this same test due to its amazing simplicity.