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

[serfty]

Does anyone know of any reason why the airport testing in Melbourne could not be used for a quick trip to Brisbane? I.e. A domestic flight?

I saw a facebook post of a queue at MEL yesterday morning with 90+.

The wait was 40 minutes - even though they had prebooked and paid.

 

[benjy]

I saw a facebook post of a queue at MEL yesterday morning with 90+.

The wait was 40 minutes - even though they had prebooked and paid.

Anyone else has any recent experience at Melbourne airport?
I'm tossing up between the 2hr line up for free testing and results within 48 hours, or the 40min line up paid test at the airport to get results within an hour. Am travelling to Gold Coast on Friday night.

Thanks!

 

[justinbrett]

Does anyone know of any reason why the airport testing in Melbourne could not be used for a quick trip to Brisbane? I.e. A domestic flight?

@Princess Fiona was saying the airport testing was reserved for international travellers and proof of travel was required, others were turned away. I’m not sure if they would accept proof of domestic travel.

I’m guessing they want to preserve the capacity for international travel. Wouldn’t be surprised if they are being subsidised by the airports and/or airlines.

 

[serfty]

@Princess Fiona was saying the airport testing was reserved for international travellers and proof of travel was required, others were turned away. I’m not sure if they would accept proof of domestic travel

I can only assume they were referring to international travellers as there is no need to pay for PCR testing for domestic.

On December 1st at 8am I saw a 12 deep queue outside - there were two international flights to SIN (QF, SQ) scheduled in about 3 hours.

 

[justinbrett]

I can only assume they were referring to international travellers as there is no need to pay for PCR testing for domestic.

On December 1st at 8am I saw a 12 deep queue outside - there were two international flights to SIN (QF, SQ) scheduled in about 3 hours.

I’m talking about the instant / 90 minute service at the international terminal.

There is no other express option as far as I’m aware.

 

[serfty]

I’m talking about the instant / 90 minute service at the international terminal.

I was referring to the instant / 90 minute service at MEL.

 

[bam71]

@Princess Fiona was saying the airport testing was reserved for international travellers and proof of travel was required, others were turned away. I’m not sure if they would accept proof of domestic travel.

I’m guessing they want to preserve the capacity for international travel. Wouldn’t be surprised if they are being subsidised by the airports and/or airlines.

Damn - that kills my idea of using them for travel to OOL on Xmas day. Was hoping not to do the 3hr line up somewhere for a test.

 

[BBQ63]

As discussed in the New Zealand travel bubble thread, the NZ government will soon require a pre-flight COVID-19 PCR or RT-PCR test within 72 hours before flying from Australia to New Zealand. Many other countries also mandate COVID-19 tests within a certain amount of time prior to departing Australia or arriving at the destination.

I thought I would start a thread where we can discuss where to get a test, pricing for different pathology clinics and your experiences with getting a pre-departure test - good or bad.

According to the NZ government, "COVID-19 testing and result certificates for travel clearance are provided by private pathology clinics". In other words, you can't just get a free public test and present the SMS result.

Here are the details for NZ:

International travel

Information for air and sea travellers about entering and leaving New Zealand.

covid19.govt.nz

So, where did you get a test and how was your experience? Please share here...

I won't need one until March next Year but there is a company at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Airports that is doing them there and you have results very quickly. Airport | Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

 

[_flyer]

Hi, can anyone confirm if Histopath at the Airport is open on Xmas Day?

 

[serfty]

Hi, can anyone confirm if Histopath at the Airport is open on Xmas Day?

Maybe contact them and ask. I do see you can book for this Saturday.

Airport | Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Conveniently located at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane International Airports, our highly skilled team and cutting-edge technology means we can offer you your COVID results in under 90 minutes.

www.histopath.com.au

 

[_flyer]

Maybe contact them and ask. I do see you can book for this Saturday.

Airport | Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Conveniently located at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane International Airports, our highly skilled team and cutting-edge technology means we can offer you your COVID results in under 90 minutes.

www.histopath.com.au

I tried to call but a recorded message says due to unprecedented demand this call will be terminated. I made enquires with Sydney Airport and they said they are open Public Holiday, she said she wasn't sure about Christmas Day however. I assume if they are open Public Holidays, surely that would include Christmas Day.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Intel please for US bound US Citizen dep MEL 14:00 to LAX 01/01/2022 on FJ - as per US reqs pax must return neg Covid test <24hrs pre dep.

Any clues where/how pax can guarantee:
1. Booking in for test in city or off MEL day b4 dep
2. MEL on site dep testing may or may not suit - pls see attached

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[pagingjoan]

Intel please for US bound US Citizen dep MEL 14:00 to LAX 01/01/2022 on FJ - as per US reqs pax must return neg Covid test <24hrs pre dep.

Any clues where/how pax can guarantee:
1. Booking in for test in city or off MEL day b4 dep
2. MEL on site dep testing may or may not suit - pls see attached

Any input greatly appreciated.

View attachment 267739

Cohealth: 365 Hoddle St Collingwood may be worth a try.
On Wednesday this week, when many sites around the city and inner suburbs were turning people away many hours before closing time, the Hoddle St site was open for walk ins, the queue moved quickly, and processing was both friendly and efficient.
Results arrived around 18 hours after mid-afternoon testing.

 

[henrus]

I really hope Histopath isn't limiting you to the airport of departure. I'm flying from Brisbane to Sydney and then onwards overseas in two days time.

I've got a 6 hour layover in Sydney (initially booked to allow plenty of time for testing) but I was planning to actually go and get a test at hisopath Brisbane airport before leaving QLD that way if for some reason it came back positive I'd be stuck at home in QLD rather than scrambling to find somewhere to stay in NSW.

 

[serfty]

I really hope Histopath isn't limiting you to the airport of departure. I'm flying from Brisbane to Sydney and then onwards overseas in two days time.

I've got a 6 hour layover in Sydney (initially booked to allow plenty of time for testing) but I was planning to actually go and get a test at hisopath Brisbane airport before leaving QLD that way if for some reason it came back positive I'd be stuck at home in QLD rather than scrambling to find somewhere to stay in NSW.

You should not even be able check in for the domestic leg connecting to International unless you have the "international Travel" PCR or RAT results.

e.g. If flying MEL-xSYD-<USA> then you need to have the documentation at MEL.

If using Histopath airport testing at Brisbane, you need to get the test results at the International terminal before heading to Domestic to check in for the connecting flight.

 

[henrus]

You should not even be able check in for the domestic leg connecting to International unless you have the "international Travel" PCR or RAT results.

I'm on separate tickets so no problem there. Already been able to mobile check in for the BNE-SYD flight.

 

[serfty]

US reqs pax must return neg Covid test <24hrs pre dep.

I believe it is not 24h, it is better described as "no later than the day before travel".

 

[henrus]

I believe it is not 24h, it is better described as "no later than the day before travel".

CDC provide a good explanation of this:

The 1-day period is 1 day before the flight’s departure. The Order uses a 1-day time frame instead of 24 hours to provide more flexibility to the air passenger and aircraft operator. By using a 1-day window, test acceptability does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test sample was taken.

For example, if your flight is at 1pm on a Friday, you could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Thursday.

Source : COVID-19 and Your Health

 

[jb747]

I believe it is not 24h, it is better described as "no later than the day before travel".

In which time zone?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I believe it is not 24h, it is better described as "no later than the day before travel".