The Covid-19 pandemic has made people more cautious and worried about their travel plans. Testing is the only way to ensure whether people are safe or infected. Covid test for travel makes holiday travelling safe. Tests to find the presence of viruses in the body help people identify and protect themselves from the coronavirus. The two standard tests for Covid-19 are RT-PCR tests and Rapid Antigen tests. The Rapid Antigen test is faster and cheaper than the RT-PCR test, but it is less accurate, and the false-negative rates are higher. People who test positive must quarantine themselves and postpone their travel.
What is the RT-PCR test?
The expanded form of this test is reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. It is an accurate and reliable test for identifying Covid-19. The test is done to detect genetic material from the virus. It detects the presence of the virus when the person is infected. Even the fragments of the virus are detected when the person is no longer infected.
What is the Rapid Antigen test?
It is an alternative test to diagnose Covid-19. It detects the presence of viral proteins using immunochromatography methods. They are inexpensive, simple, and done outside hospital laboratories. The test detects the presence or absence of an antigen.
Who needs to do Covid-19 tests?
Healthcare providers recommend the test when people have any of the following symptoms.
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Loss of taste or smell
- Vomiting
- DiarrheaÂ
The Covid-19 test before travelling is essential for all travellers because it helps to reduce the spread of the virus. The tests should be done by all passengers above two years of age. Passengers planning to do air travel must do a covid test within 72 hours before starting their journey. Travellers should also check the destination’s Covid-19 situation before travelling. It is necessary to wear a mask over the nose even when vaccinated and tested negative in the Covid-19 test.
Vaccines
Covid-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and protect people against the coronavirus. Vaccines save people’s lives and control the spread of the virus.
Covid-19 vaccines prevent people from getting seriously ill and allow them to travel safely. Types of vaccines used to protect people from coronavirus are:Â
mRNA vaccine: The mRNA vaccine is chemically synthesised and gives genetic instruction to the body cells to make viral proteins. The immune system responds to the proteins and develops tools that react to infections caused by that virus in the future.
Vector vaccine: Vector vaccines use a modified version of a virus different from the targeted virus. The modified version of the virus is called the vector virus, and it gives essential instructions to the body cells.
Protein subunit vaccine: Subunit vaccines have fragments of protein from the virus, and they produce a strong and effective immune response. The immune system’s access to the virus is restricted.
Side effects of vaccination
- Arm soreness
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Mild fever
- Muscle or joint aches
Before making travel plans, people should check the Covid situation of the place they plan to visit. A covid test for travel is mandatory for people doing air travel. It is better to avoid high-risk areas. Travellers must carry hand sanitisers, masks, snacks, and disposable wipes. Travel becomes safe and enjoyable when people plan well and take correct preventive measures.Â
Author Name: Grace
