Many vacation destinations require visitors to submit a negative Covid-19 test before traveling to their destination. Hawaii requires a negative test taken within three days of arrival. Turks & Caicos (where Claire and I will be traveling this Sunday) requires a negative test taken within five days of arrival.
How can you get this done and what's the process like? Here's our own experience.
1. Find a test site. CVS Pharmacy is a nationwide chain that provides testing at many of its locations. CVS offers a website that will locate testing locations convenient to your zip code.
2. Register in advance to schedule an appointment. As the reason for your test is travel (rather than symptoms you're experiencing), you'll have click the link on the next page informing you of the $139 testing fee. The page you need to get to looks like this...
3. Make an appointment. You can select available times over a three day range, the only choices being same day, next day, and the second day. I logged in first thing on Sunday morning to schedule a Tuesday morning test.
Print out your confirmation, as you'll be asked for the registration number when you show up for your test.
4. Bring required documents with you for your test. We were told to bring our photo IDs, insurance cards, and the registrations. You'll get a text message the morning of your test with the link to a short video showing what to expect. This is helpful, so be sure to watch the video.
5. Go to the test site in time for your appointment. In our case, the site provided drive-through testing. We drove up to the pharmacy's drive-through window. We were asked for our confirmation numbers, dates of birth, etc., and we were each given a plastic pouch that included the nasal swab and the vial in which to insert the swab after the test was completed.
6. We self-administered our tests. The process consisted of inserting the swab one inch into each nostril and rotating it for fifteen seconds. When accomplished, we inserted the swab into the vial, sealed the cap, and placed it in the zip-lock plastic bag. We then dropped the bag containing paperwork and our completed tests into the LabCorp drop box right next to the drive-through window.
7. I received a text message two days later informing me that my test results were available. Clicking the link took me to a webpage where I could download the test results. Both of us had (thankfully) negative results.
8. With negative tests in hand, I applied for Travel Authorizations for Turks and Caicos. Each traveler will have to complete the online form individually; the form provides fields to upload your (a) Covid test result and (b) proof of travel insurance providing medical coverage and evacuation. Turks and Caicos approves (and I recommend) Travelex Travel Select.
9. Within minutes, our Travel Authorization forms arrived by email. Print out the form for each passenger, for these will be required to board your flight and enter the country. It's recommended also to bring a hard copy of your test results and certificate of travel insurance.
copyright (c) 2021 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member.
A Springs Savings Promotion just came across my desk for the Beach Enclave Villas on the north short of Turks & Caicos. These four-bedroom and five-bedroom villas can be leased for as little as $500 per bedroom per night (Ocean View) and $600 per bedroom per night (Beachfront).
There's just a 3-week window to take advantage of some drastically reduced rates. Enjoy a 33% discount off the regular rate ... a 60% discount off the Spring Break rates. Travel dates are Feb. 22 - April 30, 2017. (The promotional rates don't apply over March 14-19 and April 12-16).
You have two ways to take advantage...
(1) Just contact Ourisman Travel, and we'll follow through with the booking for you, or...
(2) Phone Beach Enclave (866.580.1675) and mention this blog and promo code "BESS".
It's grey and a bit chilly outside. Watch the YouTube video above and imagine yourself in the sun, on the beach, or sitting on this deck enjoying a cool tropical drink. Then, make it happen!
copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
As connoisseurs of luxury travel know, Aman Resorts is something special. A collection of unique romantic luxury resorts in some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, Aman knows how to pamper its guests with peaceful, intimate surroundings; aman is Sanskrit for peace. With just 20 resorts worldwide, Aman has consistently earned the highest marks from Conde Nast Traveler and the Zagat Survey.
Amanyara is set in the idyllic Caribbean destination of the Turks & Caicos Islands. With 40 very private pavilions and adjacent private villas, guests can enjoy the half-mile secluded beach, swim in the turquise waters of the Caribbean, and explore the tropical fish just offshore in the pristine coral reefs.
And now, enjoy complimentary daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner while staying at Amanyara for a four night stay or longer. This offer of an all-inclusive stay is combinable with the Virtuoso amenities, meaning you can also receive an upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability) and enjoy a complimentary massage for two once during your stay (with a five night stay) — all you need do is book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant. This offer runs through Oct. 31, 2009 but excludes US Presidents Week and Easter; contact me to take full advantage of this offer.
copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website. .
All-inclusive beach resorts have become a very popular way of enjoying a Caribbean vacation. Sandals, "the resort created for two people in love," has locations in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas. Beaches, an all-inclusive resort for families, offers three locations in Jamaica and one in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
And if you don't have a U.S. Passport, now is the perfect time to book the Passport to Paradise promotion offered by Sandals and Beaches. Passport fees will be credited for new bookings and new passport applications made after June 1, 2007 until further notice. With a minimum 5-night stay required, receive two resort credit rebates per booking, up to $125 per guest, maximum $250.
copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website. .
