Where to get a pre-flight COVID-19 test?

[robynb]

OK so we turned up at BNE airport just before 2pm - timed for just after checkin closed for last flight prior to the 10pm one. Not many people there, only waited for a few minutes before one of their staff walked past and I asked her if they would take us today. She said yes, however they weren't able to do PCR tests due to a technical issue and advised coming back either late tonight or in the am. She also said that you could do a RAT today and same rules apply for either test.

 

[justinbrett]

OK so we turned up at BNE airport just before 2pm - timed for just after checkin closed for last flight prior to the 10pm one. Not many people there, only waited for a few minutes before one of their staff walked past and I asked her if they would take us today. She said yes, however they weren't able to do PCR tests due to a technical issue and advised coming back either late tonight or in the am. She also said that you could do a RAT today and same rules apply for either test.

All the more reason to test the day before - imagine the technical issue occurring the morning of your flight!

 

[Robert K]

TLDR
Can get test from BNE airport the day before your flight. They don’t ask anyway.



Avoid 4cyte.

Went for a test 48 hours out. Waited in line for 3.5 hours for the swab. Their website said results usually within 24 hours. They also asked when our flight was. So you’d think they’d process PAID tests first right?

wrong.

Didn’t get our results until AFTER we were already on the plane.


We stayed at the Brisbane airport hotel the night before the flight. They have a 90min PCR testing available until 10pm. (Histopath)

We went around 8pm, there wasn’t a line. We got our results and certificates within 10mins.

The kicker, 4cyte charged $120 for the privilege. Histopath cost us $80.

 

[maccaisking]

We are flying from SYd to NAN 10:30am on 31st, land in Syd arojnd 630pm 30th so plan to test at airport that night. This also covers us in the unlikely event we are a casual contact on the flight.

We have friends leaving Mel the day before and doing the same thing (they are staying at airport hotel). Will update on our experience when boarding - hopefully.

All went as planned. We tested on Thursday evening at SYD and results received within 90 minutes as promised. There was no wait with 20+ staff testing inside the tent, and before entering I had to show my test booking and travel details. Very painless experience

 

[Must...Fly!]

Avoid 4cyte.

I have recently read some pretty negative stuff about the laboratory/work conditions at 4cyte. Would definitely avoid for time critical covid tests.

 

[straitman]

I have recently read some pretty negative stuff about the laboratory/work conditions at 4cyte. Would definitely avoid for time critical covid tests.

Noted.

I/we now have it in writing from Histopath (MEL) that they will accept us for testing the day before our flight.

Takes the pressure off.

 

[Thibault]

Have seen this today.

This is problematic for all of us based in QLD.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Hope the media get on to this today, it really is unbelievable this far in to the pandemic.

Well so is the fact we still need tests but we will leave that to the side for now...

 

[justinbrett]

View attachment 268365

Have seen this today.

This is problematic for all of us based in QLD.

I think this has already been reversed.

The Facebook post announcing this has been deleted and the page you screen shotted above now says testing available but expect to queue for 2-3 hours. There were replies in the Facebook post that it wasn’t true.

I’m trying to confirm with Brisbane airport now but it’s looking good.

 

[serfty]

This is currently showing on their web page. (Though I hope it's wrong and you are right)

Due to unprecedented demand, our express pre-departure testing at Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne International airports are now only available on the day of departure. Passengers must show evidence of flight details in order to be accepted for testing.
Please arrive at least 4 or 5 hours prior to check in time.
‍

See here from facebook (HFC):
...

The Website has been updated; again confusingly but it at least confirms that prior day is OK:

Important Update on Testing at the Airport​

Due to unprecedented demand, we are allowing international travellers to attend our pre-departure testing at Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne International airports 24 hours prior to the day of departure. If this is not possible, there are express services available at these airports, but please ensure you arrive at least 4 or 5 hours prior to departure to secure your test and receive your results.
Please Note: Passengers must show evidence of flight details in order to be accepted for testing and testing for Domestic flights is not available at any of our Airport facilities.

Histopath Diagnostic Specialists | Your Trusted Partner in Diagnostic Care | Pathology Laboratory

Histopath, a pathologists's owned pathology laboratory, offers rapid turn-around time, Multidisciplinary Team Meetings, expert pathologists to meet the high standars of care for our doctors and thus their patients. We’re also pioneering advances in digital reporting, automation and artificial...

www.histopath.com.au

 

[justinbrett]

Courier Mail is reporting 5 hour queue at QML Murrarie and police closed it off completely at 10am. They are pretty much out of action as an option unless they have a separate queue for same day testing (and for $295 they bloody well should)

 

[Thibault]

I think this has already been reversed.

The Facebook post announcing this has been deleted and the page you screen shotted above now says testing available but expect to queue for 2-3 hours. There were replies in the Facebook post that it wasn’t true.

I’m trying to confirm with Brisbane airport now but it’s looking good.

Good to hear.

What a strange way of communicating from Brisbane Airport.

 

[justinbrett]

Good to hear.

What a strange way of communicating from Brisbane Airport.

I had a heated exchange with them on Facebook messenger and I may or may not have accused them of being a third world airport

It’s definitely open though.

 

[justinbrett]

At Brisbane airport now for my RAT. Definitely open. Got here just before opening at 8am. About 50 people deep.

The Nadi flight is cancelled this morning so maybe that will make things move quicker. They aren’t prioritising at all, just first come first served.

Rest of the terminal is an absolute ghost town.

 

[justinbrett]

Negative result. Woohoo!

Arrived at 0755, swabbed at 0950, email received at 1025.

I opted for RAT so would have been longer for PCR (for results - same time queueing regardless of test)

A child tested positive whilst I was being swabbed. They went into panic mode and deployed the SWAT team. I feel sorry for the family.

But I’m going to America tomorrow!

 

[DVDA]

Has anyone had a recent experience at Sydney T1? I have a 7pm departurn in a couple of weeks and wondering what time to line up at Histiopath.

 

[maccaisking]

Has anyone had a recent experience at Sydney T1? I have a 7pm departurn in a couple of weeks and wondering what time to line up at Histiopath.

Just on a week ago I walked straight in at 7pm. I would suggest evening prior if possible, you will need your result to complete check in. Otherwise if you don’t mind waiting at airport I would aim for arrival not less than 4 hours before flight, giving 2.5+ hours from result received to flight leaving.

 

[PineappleSkip]

...and welcome to AFF, @DVDA . I'd go for night before too, many reports of Histopath SYD very busy in mornings.

QML Murarrie in BNE (and a lot of other places) moving alot better today. below is a FB report from a couple hours ago. Poster was asked why not get the Histopath at BNE airport test for 1/3 the price. Good question.

Update on Murarrie today, I paid for the same day guarantee, got in the queue at 4:10am, line was moving by 5:10am and I was done by 6:10am. My negative result just came through, so that’s within 8hrs of being tested. Super happy and anyone else going overseas, hope u stay safe and also test negative!

 

[straitman]

We tested this evening at approx 7:30 at MEL. Only about 5 min wait to be tested then results in just on 90 minutes. I went back to get the printouts and had to wait for only one person. A very quick and seamless process.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not sure if this is the right place for the question but… given the move away from PCR testing in the community, how do we best manage the lead up to international travel?

For example… let’s say I get covid today, zero symptoms. Don’t get tested.

In two months I am flying to USA/UK. If i go for a PCR test just before flying it will likely show positive from my earlier infection? Then I’d have to wait 14 days and get a ‘recovering’ letter.

How do we avoid that scenario? Ideally I’d want to get tested three to four weeks prior to departure so that if the PCR comes back positive from the earlier infection I have time to sort it out?

Do we go to a private doctor? Create an itinerary via expedia?