There are 2 different categories of COVID-19 test:
Viral test: detects whether an individual is infected at the time of the test. The most common type of accepted test for travel is PCR.
Antibody test: detects whether an individual has been infected in the past
Travel information if you’re vaccinated:
https://www.afar.com/magazine/travelers-with-covid-vaccines-can-visit-these-countries
WHICH TYPE OF COVID-19 TEST IS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE?
To travel, a viral test is needed as it is important to know whether someone is currently carrying the virus. Within the viral category there are then 2 types of test:
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT): detect genetic material and are usually more accurate but results can take longer
- Antigen test: detect viral proteins and are generally less sensitive, but results are available more quickly.
- PCR testing for travel to Europe are the most widely accepted given their increased sensitivity and ability to pick up even small amounts of the virus.
For country specifics:
Sweden, Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland
Reference: https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-news/pcr-covid-testing-travel-europe
United Kingdom
Effective August 2, vaccinated Americans can enter England, Scotland, and Wales without a mandatory quarantine, the British government announced on July 28.
https://www.afar.com/magazine/travelers-with-covid-vaccines-can-visit-these-countries
Hawaii
Hawaii has ended its pre-travel testing and quarantine requirement for domestic travelers if they’ve been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 in the United States.
Reference:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/hawaii-travel-covid-19-need-to-know/index.html
Asia
Singapore – PCR test
Japan – Japan’s borders are currently closed to most travelers, including travelers from the U.S.
Reference: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/japan-travel-covid-19/index.html
China – nucleic acid and IgM antibody tests
Reference:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/china-travel-covid-19/index.html
South Korea – COVID test
Reference: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/asia-reopening-guide-coronavirus
Canada
COVID-19 test & molecular test
Reference: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada
Australia
COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test
Reference: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/before-i-travel
New Zealand
PCR test (including RT-PCR), or LAMP, or Antigen test (they may also be referred to as viral antigen tests).
Reference: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/international-travel-and-transit/travel-to-new-zealand/pre-departure-testing-for-arrivals-into-new-zealand/what-to-do-before-you-travel-pre-departure-testing/