By KELIN DILLON

Starting on Tuesday, Jan. 26, all travelers (age 2 and above) entering the United States by air will be required to show coronavirus test results taken within three days of the flight before boarding.

Travelers to Canada also have to present a negative covid test to the airline prior to boarding, though Canada’s restrictions apply to those over the age of 5 years. 

Both countries specifically require a PCR test, which detects the virus’s genetic material and indicates if a person currently has a positive infection.

As of now, the test must only be reviewed by airlines, though immigration officials could potentially ask for them as well. Both physical and digital results will be accepted.

Travelers departing from Mexico City have several options of places to obtain a coronavirus test, including the following:

ABC Medical Center

The ABC Medical Center is offering rapid covid antigen tests for 850 pesos in both their locations, with the option at the Observatorio campus to be tested without leaving your car. 

Test results will be available within an hour of taking the test.

ABC Campus Observatorio is located at Sur 136 No. 116 in Mexico City’s Colonia Las Américas, Álvaro Obregón. (tel: 55-5230-8000)

ABC Campus Santa Fe is located at Avenida Carlos Fernández Graef 154, located at Santa Fe, Cuajimalpa de Morelos in Mexico City. (tel: 55-1103-1600) 

Hospital Español

The Spanish Hospital offers PCR tests from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 

Test results are made available from 24 to 36 hours afterwards, and are delivered via e-mail.

The Hospital Español is located at Ejercito Nacional 613 in Colonia Granada. (tel:Tel. 55-5255-9600) 

Traveler’s Clinic 

Tests at the Traveler’s Clinic cost 3,000 pesos, covering a pre-trip consultation, certificate and follow-up upon return. The Traveler’s Clinic offers extra precision based on where you are going to travel, in case it requires specific data, as is the case of Canada.

Applications must first be submitted on their website, followed by scheduling an appointment at the number listed below. Results will be delivered within 24 hours.

The Traveler’s Clinic is located at Chimalpopoca 14 in Colonia Obrera. (tel: 55-6748-9375)

Dignified Health

Dignified Health is offering PCR tests for 950 pesos, with results delivered within 72 hours.

Appointments must be made online with several clinics available for testing in Mexico City.

Payment must be made online beforehand, and you must show up to your appointment with identification and proof of payment.

With multiple locations available, the online chat function available on Dignified Health’s website will help point you to the best location possible for testing.

Hospital Médica Sur

Tests are available at South Medical Hospital for 3,949 pesos, with results delivered between 24 and 48 hours after testing. Appointments can be scheduled online.

The south branch will have testing inside it’s laboratories and via service to at your car, while their Lomas branch will also provide traditional testing.

Hospital Médica Sur is located at Puente de Piedra 150, in Colonia Toriello Guerra in Tlalpan. (tel: 55-5424-7200. ext. 3991)

There is also a Lomas branch of Médica Sur located at Río Hondo 20, Lomas-Virreyes in Lomas de Chapultepec. (tel: 55-5424-6805)

El Chopo

PCR tests are available at Chopo Laboratories for 3,196 pesos, with results available from 24 to 72 hours after the fact.

Appointments and payments can be made online, where you will be referred to your most convenient location within the city.

LAPI

LAPI offers the covid PCR test for 3,199 pesos in-branch, and 3,500 for a home test, which will be delivered within 48 hours after request.

Payments are made online, and appointments are made by email.

LAPI is located at Avenida Montevideo 639, San Bartolo Atepehuacán, in the Gustavo A. Madero Precinct. (tel: 55-5593-7517)

…Jan. 21, 2021