ANNEX P: FAQ about Pre-Travel COVID-19 Tests

ANNEX P

Do I need a Pre-Travel COVID-19 Test?

Almost all international travel requires a COVID-19 test within 3 days of departure. When in

doubt, assume that one is needed. TFSG tests 48 hours prior to departure in case of flight delays to

prevent the need for retesting. There is no requirement for domestic pre-travel testing within Japan at this

time.

Who do I need to call to set up my Pre-Travel Test?

Each unit has a representative who is responsible for coordinating your test in advance. Contact

your unit representative as soon as you have flight information (whether official travel or for leave), then

reaffirm 5 days before your flight that you are on the list. If you are unsure who your unit COVID-19

representative is, email Task_Force_Safeguard_Operations[email protected] to find out. You will receive an

auto reply with all COVID-19 representatives listed.

Where and when do I go for my Pre-Travel Test?

Pre-travel test collection hours are 0730-1000, seven days a week at the USNHO Drive Through,

Reference A. (unless traveling to Hawaii – see Hawaii section on page 4).

If your departure flight is on...

Your test collection day is…

At this location:

Monday

Saturday

USHNO Drive Through

Tuesday

Saturday

Wednesday

Monday

Thursday

Tuesday

Friday

Wednesday

Saturday

Thursday

Sunday

Friday

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Reference A.

Do I need my results to board the plane or will medical tell me my results?

You must print your results and be prepared to present your paper documentation in order to

board the plane.

Additionally, for people flying commercially, you should bring the memo that explains test

results for airline personnel. Copies of this in English, Japanese, and Korean are on USNHO’s webpage.

What if my test returns positive?

Public Health will reach out to you immediately. All normal protocols to establish medical care,

isolation, and contact tracing will be followed. Quarantine will be arranged for family members and other

close contacts. If they were planning to depart on the same flight, they will need to remain on Okinawa

and your unit and AMD will work to rebook all of you.

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How do I obtain my results?

For those with TriCare, test results will typically be posted with your TriCare Online account

on the evening of the day following your test collection.

For those without TriCare, please drop off a completed DD-2870 (boxes 1-13) at the time of

your Drive-Thru test. Explain your flight information in Box 8; an example is on the USNHO webpage.

Your result will be emailed to the address you provide on the next calendar day.

What if it is the afternoon of the next day and I still do not have my results?

If it is after 2000 on the next day and you do not yet have your results, you should call the

COVID-19 Care Line at 098-971-9691, Option 1, and they will help investigate.

How much will the test cost?

For Active Duty, AD Family members, and DoD civilians traveling on orders, there is no cost.

For contractors and for family members of civilians traveling on orders, there may be a bill generated. If

it is generated, it may be able to be waived. The rules here continue to fluctuate, and we appreciate your

patience with the process.

For anyone going on leisure travel, a bill will likely be generated. The cost of the test is $51.33.

For questions about the billing and reimbursement process, please contact the Billing Office at DSN (315)

646-7213 or at 098-971-7213 from off-base.

I’m having symptoms that could be COVID-19. May I use the Pre-Travel COVID-19 Testing Line?

The laboratory process is a bit different for people with symptoms, so we ask that you do not go

for your travel test. Instead, call the COVID-19 Care Line at 098-971-9691 to report your symptoms and

arrange for diagnostic testing. This test will come back in plenty of time for your flight, and if the result

is negative, you will still be permitted to depart.

I have recovered from COVID-19. Do I still need the test?

If you have had COVID-19 within the last 3 months, you do not need to be retested. Bring your

isolation discharge paperwork with you to the AMC. If you do not have the aforementioned paperwork,

call the COVID-19 Care Line at 098-971-9691, Option 1, and request a copy. If you are flying

commercially, call us and we will provide you an official statement in Japanese.

If you had COVID-19 but more than three months ago, call the COVID-19 Care Line at 098-971-

9691, Option 1, five days before your flight. We will tailor testing and documentation to your situation.

I’m fully vaccinated. Do I still need the test?

Thank you for getting vaccinated! As you know, the vaccine is safe and very effective at

preventing COVID-19 disease (symptoms). At this time, yes, the pre-travel test is still needed. This

policy may change in the future as science develops.

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Hawaii Travel

All travelers going to Hawaii should visit https://dod.hawaii.gov for the latest information.

Military options for exemption to quarantine.

MILITARY EXEMPTION: (Currently in effect for both domestic and international travel). Military

members can produce written orders on arrival to prove official purpose in Hawaii. They will be granted

exemption meaning they follow the restriction of movement (ROM) dictated by their command. Military

members traveling to Hawaii on leisure (not on official travel), military dependents, military civilians,

and military contractors must meet the Safe Travels Hawaii exemption requirements below.

GENERAL EXEMPTION (Orders not required)

1) A negative NAAT test from a Trusted Travel Partner in the required timeframe.

2) Proof of vaccination with an approved US issued vaccine.

Hawaii will fully accept vaccinated military members, military dependents, military civilians, and

military contractors who were vaccinated by the military (including on international US facilities) for

domestic travel only.

Test collection hours for travel to Hawaii are Monday-Friday, 0730-1000 at the Kadena Keystone Theater

on Kadena Air Base.

If your departure flight is on…

Your test collection day is…

At this location:

Sunday or Monday

Friday

Kadena Keystone Theater

Tuesday or Wednesday

Monday

Thursday

Tuesday

Friday

Wednesday

Saturday

Thursday

Who do I need to call to set up my Hawaii Pre-Travel Test?

Each unit has a COVID-19 representative who is responsible for coordinating your test in

advance. Contact your unit representative as soon as you have flight information (whether official travel

or for leave), and ensure they choose Pre-Travel Hawaii. Additionally, ensure they list the destination as

Hawaii. Then reaffirm 5 days before your flight that you are on the list. If you are unsure who your unit

COVID-19 representative is, email Task_Force_Safeguard_Operations2@usmc.mil to find out. You will

receive an auto reply with all COVID-19 representatives listed.

For Hawaii travel, is there anything else I need to do?

Yes. After your pre-travel test for Hawaii is conducted, a result will be produced the same day.

In order to meet Hawaii’s Safe Travel Program requirements, an additional document is required, which

will be produced by Task Force SAFEGUARD. On the same day as the test, TFSG will receive the test

result. If the result is negative, they will input the information on the additional paperwork and call to

inform the individual the paperwork is ready for pick up. This is usually done on the same day of the test.

Personnel may pick up this paperwork at TFSG, directions are provided below in Reference B.

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Reference B.