I recently took the at-home COVID-19 PCR test from Pixel by LabCorp, and it was the easiest and least invasive COVID test I have taken.

The purpose of this article is to help you understand the process so you can schedule the collection of your sample as well as the timing of the results when using this at-home test kit.

Within 3 days*, you can order the test kit and get your results:

• Day 1 – LabCorp ships the kit to you.
• Day 2 – You receive the kit, collect the sample, and ship the sample back to the lab.
• Day 3 – the lab receives and processes your sample and post your results online.

(*LabCorp does not guarantee 3-day turnaround but that was our experience.)

When planning international travel, you need to understand all the testing requirements of countries you are traveling to.

Also, don’t forget to research the requirements of those countries where you have a layover as some have testing requirements for travelers transiting through (the US is currently one of them).

Nearly all countries now require travelers to provide negative COVID-19 PCR test results prior to entering their borders.

Unfortunately, countries are often nuanced in these mandates:

Some countries specify a testing window based on your time of arrival and other countries specify a testing window based on your time of departure.

Below are two contrasting examples of such mandates:

1) Croatia

Croatia requires travelers present a negative PCR test result, taken within 48 hours of arrival.  This means no more than 48 hours can elapse between the time you take the test and the time you land in Croatia.

This is a little more complicated because you have to work backwards from your expected arrival, factoring in the duration of your travel itinerary, layovers when not flying direct, and any potential travel delays while in transit.

2) Colombia

In contrast, Colombia requires travelers present a negative PCR test result, taken within 96 hours of departure.  This means no more than 96 hours can elapse between the time you take the test and the time your plane departs for Colombia.

This requirement is more straightforward because you don’t need to consider your itinerary, layovers, and potential travel delays requiring retesting.

Pixel by LabCorp Test

Below is a summary of the process and timeline for taking the Pixel by LabCorp PCR test:

Other Helpful Information

• Email notifications.  LabCorp and FedEx do a great job in keeping you updated on where things are in the testing and shipping stages.  This type of communication always puts my mind at ease.  I also spoke with a Customer Service rep from LabCorp and she answered all my questions patiently and completely.
• Instructions.  The kit comes with very clear instructions for registering your kit, collecting and shipping your sample, and accessing your test results.  It also has instructions if you need FedEx to pick up your sample directly from your house (as opposed to dropping it off in a dropbox or shipping center).
• Sample collection. In Belgrade and in Colombia, the swab went very deep into each nostril.  However, with this test, you swirl around inside the lower portion of both nostrils – just deep enough that the cotton end of the swab is inside the nostril.  No “brain probes” or bleeding like older, more invasive tests.
• Potential timeline impacts. While LabCorp makes no guarantees for the 3-day turnaround, here are some things that could make the start-to-finish process take longer than 3 days:
  1. LabCorp and/or FedEx experiences delays in shipping your kit or sample.
  2. You were not able to receive, test, and ship your sample before the last FedEx Express Shipping pickup in your local area.
  3. You ship your sample on a Saturday but FedEx does not deliver on Sundays so your sample will not reach LabCorp until Monday morning.
  4. LabCorp experiences delays in processing your sample.
  5. It’s also worth noting that if you receive your test kit before the testing window you need to travel, you will need to wait to register your test kit. This is all ok for your purposes but will make the start-to-finish testing process longer than 3 days.  For example, if you receive your kit 5 days before departing for Colombia which has a 4 day testing window to enter, you will need to wait a day before registering and taking your test.

Wrap-up

Based on my experience, I am very confident that LabCorp has a solid, reliable process, in partnership with FedEx, to deliver fast and easy COVID-19 testing.

I would definitely use them again for my testing needs.

Have you taken a COVID-19 diagnostic test?  If so, what was your experience like?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for testing so please leave us some comments below.

Thanks for reading and sharing your experience!!  😊