BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Test: Making International Travel Easier

BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Test:

Making International Travel Easier

By Christine Cutler

I’m heading to Italy in a few weeks, and I have been busy trying to navigate the regulations not only for getting into Italy but also for returning to the United States. While the rules for traveling internationally depend on where you are traveling, from where you are returning, and which airline you are flying, there is one sure thing: Before you return to the United States, you have to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your return flight.

One of the roadblocks you can face is where to get that test in a foreign country. Your airline should have links on its websites, but we’ve found something that is even easier. Abbott Labs has developed a self-test and an app to make testing easier. Abbott partnered with United Airlines to help international travelers; the CDC’s new regulations allow you to test yourself abroad and use the verified negative test result to board an international flight to return to the US.

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, praised the effort saying, “We appreciate the private sector proactively helping travelers have access to easy, reliable COVID-19 test options.”

About the size of a day planner, the BinaxNOW Home Test will fit into carry-on luggage, purses, or briefcases easily. Abbott suggests passengers pack more than one BinaxNOW test kit in case of error or inconclusive test results. You can find a detailed description of the BinaxNOW hometesting process by visiting United’s Emed page.

I should note that the BinaxNow Home Test is the test travelers must use. The BinaxNow Self Test is not eligible for travel purposes. The Home Test experience, done through eMed, provides a proctor who will observe you taking the sample and testing it before digitally providing verified test results.

My concern, and that of a few other writers I know is that we are not flying United to our international destinations. Finding out whether we could also use the BinaxNow Home Test to return to the US was not easy. Multiple airlines told us repeatedly to look at their websites to find the answers. You can use our travel guide to find out the accepted test type for your trip. Or, You can find all the answers on our website. No, we could not.

I finally contacted Darcy Ross, director of Abbott’s media relations. I stated that since the CDC had approved use of the test for international travel, I thought it would be eligible for travel on any airline. She checked and answered, “Anyone traveling internationally on another airline can order our BinaxNOW Home Test through eMed and use the results displayed in the NAVICA app to meet the CDC updated guidelines for returning to the US.”

The same afternoon, I received this answer from American Airlines, “Our requirements specify the type of test to be taken but doesn't stipulate the establishment for your test result.” As of this writing, I have not heard back from Delta.

My suggestion is that you check with your airline before your trip to be safe.

For more information, check out this article on the Abbott website. For information on the Navica app, click here.

meet our writers

Sofia Bournatzi is the proud owner of PASS PARTOUT – Tourism (based in Thessaloniki, Greece) and of 2 e-travel magazines. I also manage the sales & marketing for DOUCAS TOURS & TRAVEL, the family DMC company, which is the oldest one in Greece, since it was founded in 1885.

Norm Bour became a Traveling Normad after leaving the US permanently in February 2019 at age 64. His goal was to Travel the World Six Weeks at a Time, and wrote two books about his experiences. Follow his journey at www.TravelYounger.com along with his Facebook blog by the same name.

Debbra Dunning Brouillette, an associate editor of Food, Wine, Travel Magazine, is an award-winning travel writer and photographer who specializes in covering tropical travel, as well as food and wine. She has written for a wide range of print and online media, including her site,

Tropical Travel Girl.

Judi Cohen is living her dream as a world traveller, small-ship cruise and off-thebeaten-path travel writer, and as a social media travel influencer. Follow her travels and enjoy her photographs on https:// instagram.com/TravelingJudi/, and www.TravelingJudi.com.

Jeanine Consoli is a freelance travel writer, blogger at jconstravels.com, and foodie from

Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. A contributor to TravelAwaits, Play Stay Eat,

Rovology, and Foodie Flashpacker, she loves uncovering the history, culture, & flavors of a location. Travel always leaves her hungry to find hidden gems at home & abroad.

Michael Cullen is a travel writer and Australian national who now calls Thailand home. He loves discovering new places & delving into the culture, food & drink wherever he goes. Michael is a member of TravMedia and IFWTWA Catch up with him here https:// www.clippings.me/michaelcullen and here www.instagram.com/travellingaussiesinasia/

Chris Cutler is president of IFWTWA; executive editor of Food, Wine, Travel Magazine; travel editor of Live in Italy Magazine; and a writer, photographer, and editor. A dual Italian-American citizen, she spends as much time as she can having adventures in Italy. Follow her on coldpastaandredwine.com & christinecutler.com. Andrew Der is an environmental consultant and travel journalist specializing in water science, nature, eco-travel, cultural destinations, and sustainable tourism.

Elsa Dixon is an author, travel, and memoir writer; director of TravelswithElsa LLC; and piano teacher. A dual South African - American citizen, she frequently travels to Africa, South America, Europe, and Canada, leading tours and visiting her family and friends. Read more about her at https:// travelswithelsa.com/.

Diane Dobry, an online educator and freelance writer/blogger with a special interest in Hungary, once imported Hungarian wines to the US. Now her book on Hungarian wine and a memoir are in the works. Online she is at GettingHungary.com, on Facebook , and Twitter @gettinghungary.

Robin Dohrn-Simpson has been traveling for as long as she can remember. With over 25 years in the travel industry, she’s been to over 70 countries and 50 states. You can generally find her exploring somewhere. She’s tried to cure her wanderlust, but it’s not possible! Find her at http:// robindohrnsimpson.com/.

Noreen Kompanik is a San Diego-based travel journalist with over 600 published articles; and assistant editor of Food, Wine, Travel Magazine. She’s a regular contributor to Travel Pulse, Edible San Diego Magazine, San Diego Explorer, and Go Nomad. Noreen is an instructor at Great Escape Publishing’s workshops and pioneered the Travel Writers Café. Catch up with her on noreenkompanik.com.

Sharon Kurtz is a freelance writer who shares her love of travel and food by exploring unique customs, cultures, and flavors at home and around the globe. While Dallas, Texas is home with her husband and three spoiled dogs, her carry-on is always packed ready for the next adventure. Catch up with her on http://sharonkkurtz.com and instagram.

Debi Lander thrives on travel and the challenge of photography. She claims she’s never happier than when behind the lens. Her global explorations focus on historical and cultural sites, unique lodging options, culinary experiences, and adventure activities. Debi was thrilled to add Death Valley to the many national parks she’s visited.

Lisa Morales is a marketer and publicist by day, and writer and editor-in-chief for Live in Italy Magazine. Lisa is passionate about the visual arts and her favorite assignment of the year is Art Basel Miami. She loves to cook, study wine, go for nature walks, take photos and, of course, travel. Find her at www.allegorypr.com or www.liveinitalymag.com.

Elizabeth Orient is a travel journalist and editor. Both pursuits allow her to express her passion for wanderlust, erasable pens, and the Oxford comma. Elizabeth enjoys writing about unique destinations. Her work has been featured in a variety of publications and on her blog (The Traveling Editor).

Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, and photographer. Bomb-sniffing dogs chased her in the middle of the night in Bogota, gate agents refused her boarding to Paraguay (wrong visa), and Federal Marshalls announced her seat on a plane looking for a murder suspect (traded places.) It’s always an adventure! Follow her adventures at www.FollowthePiper.com.

Valerie Estelle Rogers is a travel writer with a focus on beautiful destinations, wine, and food. She is an expert unhurried traveler, average golfer, pinot noir consumer, and slow-dinner aficionado. In addition to writing, she guides small groups of one to three guests to European destinations.

Cori Solomon, an award-winning writer/ photographer in Los Angeles, often travels with her dogs in tow. Her blog, The Written Palette, features eclectic articles focusing on travel, dining, wine, art, and pets. Cori's background is real estate. As an animal artist, her articles utilize the art palette both visually and verbally. Wendy VanHatten, a retired successful healthcare administrator, now focuses on travel, food, and wine. Her travel blog, https://www.travelsandescapes.net offers practical tips, suggestions, and trends as well as showcasing her travels. She is a member of International Food Wine Travel Writer Association, TravMedia, and Travel Massive.

Priscilla Willis is a freelance writer and author of the website She’s Cookin’ food and travel. Priscilla specializes in culinary travel and light adventures to burn those calories. She recently traded 30 years of urban living in SoCal beach paradise for a quieter life surrounded by nature in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas.

Bella was born almost 13 years ago in Oregon, where she was happily adopted by Linda Milks. She is part Maltese and part Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu is what makes her so protective since this breed guarded monks in past times. Bella has a big attitude. She may be old, but she loves to ride in the car and chase squeaky toys. She also likes to visit her other dog friends like Catie.

Catie is also a senior dog. She was born more than 12 years ago in Illinois and at the age of about one, she was rescued by Susan and Todd Montgomery from a sick relative. She is especially attached to Todd and has spent the last 11 years following him wherever he goes. She is now blind in one eye, but still full of spunk. She loves going to wineries with her parents, where she gets lots of attention and, most importantly, snacks, which she always devours