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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 133
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Posts: 133 |
For those that have done eMed proctored rapid covid tests in the BVIs:
What is the process like? Did you do use a smartphone? Is the wireless data service sufficient? (We will be using an ATT international data roaming plan.) Do you need a stand for the phone or an assistant to handle the camera? Are they picky about the location for the test? (e.g. lighting, indoor vs outside, on a boat with waves, etc?)
Thanks! - Ben.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,434
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Set up your Navica account before you come down...1 for each of you Dont open your box and make sure it is sealed Bring extras down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vHvxmknKBIProcess 1) Login to your Navica acocunt...button to start test 2) Start exam...a proctor will come on and guide you through it. They will scan a code on the box and look at your ID. They will look at the box expiration. They will guide you through the test. 3) They will then set a 15 minute timer and your camera needs to be focused on your test Wireless is fine...they want to be able to see you and the test You will get an email with a link to click to open a password protected pdf to view your results. It is this pdf with CLIA seal and signature you need to show Note if using portal you need to upload a non password version. You can do this by opening in chrome and then entering password and then printing to pdf. Worked great for us Smooth seas...
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,190
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Joined: Jun 2020
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Adding to Bailau’s great info - we find it works best when using a laptop as they want to see you and the test, it is easy tilting the laptop screen as needed. Our boat WiFi worked without issue - just be in a good spot (not Anegada - lol).
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Joined: Dec 2018
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Agree as to laptop...
Have a great trip and a great New Year my friend...send me some pics...
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
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While a laptop is ideal, a phone will work in a pinch if you don't want to haul a laptop with you. Lots of people using phone without a holder or helper.
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Joined: Jun 2020
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They are obviously more adept than I, Jason! Lol. I always end up working so have to haul the heavy weight apparatus along.😎
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 133
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Speaking of test expirations: My 6-pack from eMed arrived with expiration dates in the past, but there was a label on the outer box saying their expiration dates have been extended. (I understand the FDA lengthened the expiration time after the initial authorization.). Do the proctors understand that?
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 878
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Our tests a few weeks ago were expired per the box, but extended by 6 months and the proctors seemed to know this, they did not comment on expiry.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Joined: Nov 2008
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While a laptop is ideal, a phone will work in a pinch if you don't want to haul a laptop with you. Lots of people using phone without a holder or helper. That's what I was trying to figure out. I would prefer not to bring a laptop, but I will have an iPad (with the Apple keyboard folio cover) and an iPhone. The iPad case will hold the iPad up at an angle, but doesn't give you much room for angle adjustment.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Main thing is that the proctor wants to see you and at the same time see the test materials on a flat surface. Requires a down angle on the camera and a bit of distance depending on focal length. Holding open the test packet and manipulating the swab or using the dropper is kind of a two-hand proposition.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Joined: Oct 2013
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When we did it we tested in pairs since the boat is too small of an area for 6 people to be talking to a proctor at the same time. The people not testing were the phone holders and then they switched.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 381
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We did all our tests back home (8 total) on my phone. It wasn't hard. I wanted to test run it so I felt comfortable not bringing a laptop here. I'm sure a computer is ideal but totally doable on a phone too.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 133
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You will get an email with a link to click to open a password protected pdf to view your results. It is this pdf with CLIA seal and signature you need to show
Note if using portal you need to upload a non password version. You can do this by opening in chrome and then entering password and then printing to pdf.
I assume that was on a laptop. Does anyone have a solution for printing to PDF or stripping the password on an iPhone?
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 860
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Our tests a few weeks ago were expired per the box, but extended by 6 months and the proctors seemed to know this, they did not comment on expiry. It takes a bit of Google searching that I don't recall (try emed expiration date) and you can find a memo that lists by lot number the extended expiration date. I had some left over from our July trip that showed an 09/06/21 expiration date. I needed to do a home test and stores were out so I checked the web and found these had been extended to 12/06/21.
Louis from Houston
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Joined: Dec 2018
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You will get an email with a link to click to open a password protected pdf to view your results. It is this pdf with CLIA seal and signature you need to show
Note if using portal you need to upload a non password version. You can do this by opening in chrome and then entering password and then printing to pdf.
I assume that was on a laptop. Does anyone have a solution for printing to PDF or stripping the password on an iPhone? Yes to laptop I just changed to Iphone which has been the bane of my existence...old dog and new trick There are apps that can do it (pdf expert). I know you can open with "documents" and remove the password but dotn know how to get it back to pdf. We didn't have to use the portal this time and cant remember if they only took pdfs as uploads. https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-remove-password-from-pdf-on-iphone-ipad/and the proctors dont bat an eye at the expired test kits within 6 months...they all seem to know
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Joined: Nov 2021
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I believe you can screenshot the results and upload it. That's my plan. I'm testing Monday.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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That’s how I have done it. G
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Joined: Jan 2017
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I believe you can screenshot the results and upload it. That's my plan. I'm testing Monday. Screenshot of the pdf definitely works. Super easy. We did that in October.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
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Posts: 3,359 |
You will get an email with a link to click to open a password protected pdf to view your results. It is this pdf with CLIA seal and signature you need to show
Note if using portal you need to upload a non password version. You can do this by opening in chrome and then entering password and then printing to pdf.
I assume that was on a laptop. Does anyone have a solution for printing to PDF or stripping the password on an iPhone? Just open the emailed PDF on your phone, enter the password, then screen shot the certificate. On the iPhone 12, you push the lock button and the up volume together to screenshot.
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Joined: Dec 2021
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Hi everyone, Has anyone had issues such as not enough reagent in the dropper bottle or not a pierced bottle tip? I heard a report and wondered if I should get a spare pack We currently have three each Happy travels everyone 🙂
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,172
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3 each should be plenty. I have used a dozen on the last trip with zero failures.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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Hi everyone, Has anyone had issues such as not enough reagent in the dropper bottle or not a pierced bottle tip? I heard a report and wondered if I should get a spare pack We currently have three each Happy travels everyone 🙂 It does happen on a rare occasion. Some proctors will allow you to use liquid from another test and others will require you to open a new test. Having a couple of spares for a group is usually enough.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,432
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Been using them at home for awhile and none of them have been defective so far.......
Toast.......to Life; White Bay...heaven on earth. Diane
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Joined: Jan 2022
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I am seeing in another thread that the eMed test is good for entry into the BVI as well. We are headed down on March 19 for two weeks and plan to use these tests for travel both ways!
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 381
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We completed 12 tests total with no issues or failures. Did them all on my smartphone.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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We completed 12 tests total with no issues or failures. Did them all on my smartphone. How did you handle the phone(s)? Did you use a stand or have a helper hold the phone? Do you have to point the camera at the test card for the entire time while waiting for the test to complete?
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
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Posts: 3,359 |
We completed 12 tests total with no issues or failures. Did them all on my smartphone. How did you handle the phone(s)? Did you use a stand or have a helper hold the phone? Do you have to point the camera at the test card for the entire time while waiting for the test to complete? Nobody is watching the test card during the 15 minutes of processing. It's literally a different proctor when the 15 minutes ends.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,434
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I was curious if they had any kind of detection system during that 15 minutes...they scan the code again so know it is the same test.
We had 2 inconclusive Emeds we had to retake...you can always pay extras forward so I recommend more.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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I was curious if they had any kind of detection system during that 15 minutes...they scan the code again so know it is the same test.
We had 2 inconclusive Emeds we had to retake...you can always pay extras forward so I recommend more.
I believe they scan the code before and also photograph (and possibly scan) the completed test card, so a substitution would be noticed.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,434
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agree as to scanning twice...meant does someone watch during the 15 minutes to make sure you dont tamper...
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Joined: Mar 2012
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agree as to scanning twice...meant does someone watch during the 15 minutes to make sure you dont tamper... No, nobody is watching then, but the test design makes it hard to tamper.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Joined: Nov 2021
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we found the entire process quite easy. I created a managed account on Navica for my husband and two teens. When you go to "take test" on Emed, it will ask you to login then ask who is taking the test. You will see a drop down for all users. I found this to be the easiest way for my family. That way I could keep everything in one place since I was the one doing the portal for all 4 of us. After you login you will just wait for the proctor to come on. You scan the unopened box so they can check expiration dates and then do the test. You scan the barcode on the test window before and after so they know it is the same. The active part of the test takes only about 2 minutes . They then set a timer and you just leave the camera trained on the card. It beeps after 15 minutes and you come back. There is a re-connection with a new person and you scan the card and let them see the results. This is only a minute or so interaction. They then, almost immediately send you your results. Both to Navica as well as to your email. If you have a printer, great- it is the easiest. If not, open the results and screenshot it. You can then upload the screenshot to the portal. I had no issues with using a phone. I literally just propped it on a conch shell in the villa and took the test. The only thing I would give you a heads up about if you are doing managed accounts for other people is this-Unless they are under 18, they will ask if the test taker is the "owner of the account". Say YES. I made the mistake of telling my oldest son (over 18) to say it was a managed account and then they said they couldn't find it and disconnected us. If you are doing it for someone under 18 you will need to be present and show YOUR ID. It seems it only recognizes a truly managed account if the person is under 18.
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 15
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We arrived home last night after a fantastic week sailing in the BVI. We used eMed.com proctored Abbott Binax tests for both arriving to the USVI/BVI by air then ferry and departing from the BVI/USVI by ferry then air. I learned about the eMed tests on this forum thanks to Jason and others who have provided such great and helpful information. We are a family of six so we placed three separate orders (18 total tests) since we needed 12 and were worried that there might be one or two that were inconclusive or defective. We didn't have any defective tests so we still have six leftover, but it gave us peace of mind knowing that we had a few spares just in case. My whole family thought that the testing process using the website was very impressive. We used laptops with built-in cameras because they provided a lot of stability of the camera during the test. For the tests on the way home we did them after lunch at our table at Pirate's Bight. They had great wifi and we had three laptops running concurrently. We were finished in about 45 minutes total (while seated in the shade with cocktails!) and then it took some additional time to convert the eMed PDF to non-password protected for upload to the USVI portal. The USVI portal turned around our acceptances within fifteen minutes and we had our green QR codes and were feeling encouraged about our ensuing travel day. I recommended the eMed.com proctored Abbott Binax rapid antigen tests to any travelers who are entering or exiting the USVI/BVI. The process couldn't have been easier.
As a comparison, yesterday we spoke with a couple getting off the same ferry in line for immigration at St. Thomas who told us they tested in Spanish Town the day before for $50/ea and waited three hours at the testing center to get tested and results. They said that the cumulative time of getting to and from the testing center plus the wait consumed the better part of their day. I felt badly for them knowing how the eMed testing process had saved us time, money, and hassle. Thanks eMed and all of you!
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