Little did we guess how hard it would be to navigate the Covid protocols.
We knew from family and friends who have traveled to Europe recently that we had to have a negative Covid test to return to the US. The research to learn where, when, and how to get the test was challenging. Finally we settled on planned redundancy. First, we purchased 2 boxes of tests that can be tele-supervised from our hotel room or a hotel computer to assure that we take the test correctly and that it actually shows a negative result.
The boxes are light but cannot be crushed because if they are opened before the proctor is watching, they are invalid. Hmmm. We needed a somewhat larger backpack to give them some elbow room.
Next, we learned that there is a testing site at the Madrid airport and it takes appointments. Thus, our redundancy. We have the boxes of tests and we have appointments at the airport testing center the afternoon before our scheduled flight home. If there is a positive results, you must stay and isolate. We really still don't quite get how that would work and whether the positive person(s) would need to stay for 10 days, or until a negative test result. Therefore, we are bringing additional home tests to test ourselves if we need to figure out if we are negative yet. Luckily, the travel insurance company, Allianz, has a concierge service that might be helpful if needed.
We also had to get a QR Code form the Spanish Travel Health office, showing our vaccination status. Our American, handwritten cards were not acceptable once in Spain. The app on my phone didn't work correctly and changed my birthdate and date of arrival to one day earlier than I entered. A 45-minute phone call to Spain resolved the issue. Whew! We have our QR's now.
We expected the planning to be familiar and easy. The first part was. The Covid part, not so much, but we think we are on track and we leave tomorrow morning.
We knew from family and friends who have traveled to Europe recently that we had to have a negative Covid test to return to the US. The research to learn where, when, and how to get the test was challenging. Finally we settled on planned redundancy. First, we purchased 2 boxes of tests that can be tele-supervised from our hotel room or a hotel computer to assure that we take the test correctly and that it actually shows a negative result.
The boxes are light but cannot be crushed because if they are opened before the proctor is watching, they are invalid. Hmmm. We needed a somewhat larger backpack to give them some elbow room.
Next, we learned that there is a testing site at the Madrid airport and it takes appointments. Thus, our redundancy. We have the boxes of tests and we have appointments at the airport testing center the afternoon before our scheduled flight home. If there is a positive results, you must stay and isolate. We really still don't quite get how that would work and whether the positive person(s) would need to stay for 10 days, or until a negative test result. Therefore, we are bringing additional home tests to test ourselves if we need to figure out if we are negative yet. Luckily, the travel insurance company, Allianz, has a concierge service that might be helpful if needed.
We also had to get a QR Code form the Spanish Travel Health office, showing our vaccination status. Our American, handwritten cards were not acceptable once in Spain. The app on my phone didn't work correctly and changed my birthdate and date of arrival to one day earlier than I entered. A 45-minute phone call to Spain resolved the issue. Whew! We have our QR's now.
We expected the planning to be familiar and easy. The first part was. The Covid part, not so much, but we think we are on track and we leave tomorrow morning.
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