Travelling to the US
Before you travel
Currently, before boarding a flight to the US, all fully vaccinated air passengers who are aged 2 and older will be required to show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test result from a viral (PCR or antigen) test taken no more than 3 days before the flight's departure – regardless of their vaccination status.
From 6th December 2021, before boarding a flight to the US, all fully vaccinated air passengers who are aged 2 and older will be required to show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test result from a viral (PCR or antigen) test taken no more than 24 hours before the flight's departure – regardless of their vaccination status. You should ensure you have documentation of your negative result ready to present to your airline at the airport.
Please be aware that if you are returning from Chile, rapid testing in Santiago airport (SCL) airport is not an option, so you will need to ensure there is time in your travel schedule to get tested at a testing facility. If you are returning home via Argentina, rapid testing is available at both airports in Buenos Aires (AEP and EZE). Find out more about how and where to get tested in Chile or Argentina before you leave.
Please review the Centers for Disease Control’s full guidelines on pre-travel PCR testing.
When you arrive
When you arrive in the US you should:
- Get tested with a viral test (PCR or antigen) 3-5 days after travel (find a testing location near you)
- Self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms
- If you do develop symptoms then isolate and get tested
- Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel
Please review the Centers for Disease Control’s full guidelines on returning home after international travel.
Travelling to the UK
Entry requirements to the United Kingdom may vary depending on whether you are a resident of England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Please review the UK Government’s full guidance on entering the UK.
Before you travel
Before arriving in the UK, fully vaccinated adults must:
- Book and pay for a Covid-19 PCR test to be taken on arrival in the UK (you cannot use an NHS PCR test, you must use a private test provider)
- Complete a Passenger Locator Form up 48hrs prior to arrival in the UK (you will need to enter your Covid-19 test booking reference number)
If you’re in England for less than 2 days, you still need to book and pay for a day 2 Covid-19 test. You must quarantine until you receive a negative day 2 Covid-19 PCR test, or until you leave England, whichever is sooner.
When you arrive
When arriving in the UK, fully vaccinated adults must:
- Complete a pre-booked Covid-19 PCR test. You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. The day you arrive is day 0. You must quarantine in your home or the place you are staying while you await your test result.
Test results
- If your test result is negative, you can end your quarantine
- If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate for 10 full days (the day of the test is day 0)
- If your test result is unclear, you must self-isolate for 10 full days (the day you took the test is day 0) – you can choose to take another private test and then stop self-isolating if the result of the second test is negative
- If your test result is delayed, you must quarantine until you receive a negative test result or until day 14 after arrival, whichever is sooner
Travelling to the EU
Entry requirements to the European Union vary between member nations. Please review the EU’s country-specific guidance.
At present, some nations do require pre-travel Covid-19 testing for travel from either Chile or Argentina. After travel, you may be required to test and/or isolate.
Travelling to all other countries
For all other countries, please check your government’s official guidance.
PCR testing before you leave Chile or Argentina
If your home country requires you to present a negative Covid-19 test result on arrival, you will need to arrange to take a take whilst you are still in Chile or Argentina. Your travel itinerary and when you are required to take the test will determine whether you should book a test in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas after you disembark from your voyage, or the capitals of Buenos Aires or Santiago before your flight home.
Our preferred testing sites in Chile and Argentina are as follows. Other test centres may also be available.
Please note that the following list is intended as a guide only, and Swoop Antarctica cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or for the service provided. Please check the latest prices, opening times and other pertinent information directly with the test centre before booking your appointment and before your visit, as information may change.
Testing in Santiago, Chile
1. Genosur
Location: Hilton Hotel, 4km from Santiago de Chile Airport, Santiago City, or delivered to a Santiago location (such as a hotel) of your choice
Cost: Approximately $30-55 USD
Test type: PCR
Opening times: 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 2-4pm Saturday
English spoken: Yes
Approximate processing time: 4 hours (during opening hours)
2. Bionet
Location: Arrivals terminal in Santiago de Chile Airport, Santiago City, or delivered to a Santiago location (such as a hotel) of your choice
Cost: Approximately $30-55 USD
Test type: PCR
Opening times: 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday
English spoken: Yes
Approximate processing time: 12-24 hours
Book: For airport and city centre lab services, no appointment is needed, customers are seen per order of arrival. For home/hotel sampling, book a test.
3. Cellus
Location: Mobile testing - available at a Santiago location of your choice
Cost: Approximately $50-60 USD
Test type: PCR
Opening times: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
English spoken: Unconfirmed
Approximate processing time: 24 hours (during opening hours)
4. PCR Solutions
Location: Central Santiago (Providencia)
Cost: Approximately $30 USD
Test type: Antigen
Opening times: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
English spoken: Yes
Approximate processing time: 30 minutes
Testing in Punta Arenas, Chile
1. Medilab
Location: Central Punta Arenas, Monsignor José Fagnano 504
Cost: $18-30 USD
Test type: PCR and antigen
Opening times: 11am-4pm Monday to Friday
English spoken: Unconfirmed
Approximate processing time: PCR testing 24-72 hours, Antigen testing 12 hours
Book: via WhatsApp +56 9 9005 8353
2. Laboratorio DeAgostini
Location: Av. Guillermo Pérez de Arce 401-447
Cost: $30-50 USD
Test type: PCR and antigen
Opening times: 8am-11am and 3pm-5pm Monday to Friday, antigen testing only on Saturdays
English spoken: Unconfirmed
Approximate processing time: PCR testing 24 hours or less, antigen testing 1 hour
Book: Just turn up
Testing in Buenos Aires, Argentina
1. Stamboulian Labs
Location: Terminal A building ‘Aeroparque’ Jorge Newbury AEP regional airport OR Terminal A building Ministro Pistarini EZE international airport
Cost: Approximately $60 USD for a PCR test, $40 USD for an antigen test
Test type: PCR and antigen tests are both available
Opening times: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
English spoken: Yes
Approximate processing time: PCR 4 hours, antigen 30 mins
Book: No booking required, tests are done on the order of arrival
2. Rossi Labs
Location: Various central Buenos Aires locations
Cost: Approximately $80 USD for a PCR test, $40 USD for an antigen test
Test type: PCR and antigen tests are both available
Opening times: Typically 7am-8pm, but times vary by location
English spoken: In some locations
Approximate processing time: PCR 24 hours, antigen 30 minutes
Testing in Ushuaia, Argentina
1. Sanatorio San Jorge
Location: Downtown Ushuaia: Onachaga 184, V9410 BQC, Tierra del Fuego - for groups of 8 or more, testing can be arranged at your hotel for no additional charge
Cost: Approximately $115-125 USD for PCR testing, $40-55 USD for antigen testing
Test type: PCR and antigen
Opening times: 8am-6pm, 365 days a year
English spoken: Unconfirmed
Approximate processing time: 24 hours for PCR testing, 2 hours for antigen testing
Book: Request an appointment via email below
Payment: Via credit card or bank transfer. If paying in USD cash, expect to pay 20-30% less given the preferential rate of exchange for this currency.
2. Laboratorio Gobernador Paz
Location: Downtown Ushuaia – Gobernador Paz 1523
Cost: $125 USD for PCR testing, $50 USD for antigen testing
Test type: PCR and antigen
Opening times: 8am-5pm Monday to Friday, 9am-11.30am Saturdays
English spoken: Broken English
Approximate processing time: PCR results in 24 hours, antigen testing results in 15 minutes
Booking: Booking is necessary via WhatsApp +54 9 2901 496530
Disclaimer
Information provided by Swoop is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time only, but in this fast-changing environment we cannot be held responsible for changes not immediately reflected on this website or in information shared with you. Customers should undertake their own research appropriate to their individual circumstances before making final decisions.
Where links to government, operators or other third-party sites are provided, again this information is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot be held responsible for third-party content.