Returning to your home country after a vacation in New York may require a COVID test (PCR or Rapid) that must be done in NYC in the 24/48/72 (depending on your country of return) hours before your flight.
In the last few weeks, in fact, UK, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany and many other countries have changed their rules due to the Omicron variate.
The team of @MyChristmasinNewYork and @Discover.N.Y.C present below two solutions to take a test in NYC.
The first one completely free. The second with a very acceptable cost.
Ready? Here’s everything you need to know!
Option 1 - 100% FREE PCR TEST
Doing a COVID PCR test in New York for FREE is possible. ALSO FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS.
On many street in NYC (and especially in the most touristy areas like Times Square, Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal) you will find gazebos where you can take a PCR test with no extra charge, no registration.
How do these testing centers work?
Super easy: you show up in front of the Gazebo, whenever you want.
You scan a QR code and a form opens.
It takes a couple of minutes to complete. You register with email and phone number.
You are not asked for any insurance or to pay.
You get tested.
The results arrive within the next 24 / 48 H: it depends on the tent and the company that manages it. It is always written on the tent anyway and you will also find the info in the confirmation email.
Can results be trusted to arrive in the promised time frame?
We have tried these tents 2 times and the results came in time:
Once we tested at 2pm and by 9pm we had the results.
A second time we did the test at 1pm and got the result in the morning 2 days later, within the 48h promised at the time of registration.
Where can I find the locations of these tents?
Take a look at their websites:
You will find their locations. They are really EVERYWHERE in NYC.
Our advice is to choose a gazebo with ALSO the van behind where they analyze the results. This way you are more confident that your test will not be lost.
We are talking about a Gazebo like this one pictured:
I want to have a reliable result in a few hours. Where can I get a cheap rapid test?
Read OPTION 2 below for all the info
Option 2 - RAPID TEST, RESULT in few hours, REASONABLE COST
If you want to do a quick hygiene test and have the results within hours, then we suggest using Bloom Labs.
Below is the price table and the time frame for receiving the result:
We tried the rapid antihygienic test ($75) and the results came back within 2 hours.
We always recommend that you make sure with your airline that the rapid anti-hygienic test is accepted so you can return to your country.
Where is the testing center located?
A short walk from Macy’s Herald Square on 36th Street. Extremely convenient.
Can the test be booked online?
Yes, super easy. The test schedule can also be updated to suit your needs.
Where can I find all the info?
Click on the link below to go directly to their website
QUESTIONS?
Send us a message at @MyChristmasinNewYork on Instagram and we’ll do our best to respond and help you.