When we traveled to Iceland, I decided to order a COVID self-test that we could do while there instead of finding somewhere to get a test during our trip. I paid $150 for a six-pack of Abbott’s BinaxNOW test from eMed so Sharon and I could get tested from our hotel room.
On our way back to Reykjavik, we returned for a night to stay at Hotel Laekur. I knew from our previous visit that the hotel had reliable Wi-Fi. It was more than good enough for us to do our COVID tests with online guidance.
I went first since I’d been through self-testing before. I logged into the eMed website with my NAVICA password and was connected with a representative. His first request was for me to hold my ID up to the webcam. I showed him my passport.
That’s when I discovered my mistake. The rep asked if I was testing for travel. I said that I was and then he asked if I booked my ticket using my full name. I said I most likely did because it matched my passport. He said that since my passport and my testing account didn’t exactly match, I could have problems.
His suggestion was to go back into the NAVICA app and add my middle name to the end of my first name (as there’s no middle name field on the app.) However, I’d need to stop our call and reconnect after I made the change.
I made the changes and logged back in and waited for a rep the second time.
When I went through the process, the second rep said she still did not see the name change. I had to clear out my browser cache and try again. So much for this being easier than going for a test.
I had been in Chrome this whole time, so decided to ditch that and logged in with my Firefox browser. Whomp-whomp, since eMed doesn’t support Firefox; only Edge, Chrome and Safari browsers.
On my fourth try using Safari, my updated info was in the system. I won’t go through the entire process but the nasal swab is the easiest part. Lifting your laptop to show you putting the swab into the card with the webcam definitely needs an extra set of hands.
After waiting 15 minutes, my test came back negative. It was now Sharon’s turn.
Since we knew better, she’d already gone into the NAVICA app on her phone and added her middle name.
When she logged in with her Chromebook, everything went smoothly. Except her rep insisted on seeing her do every part of the process which required me to hold the laptop while she closed the card on the swab.
If you’re considering using the eMed BinaxNOW antigen test to re-enter the U.S., make sure that the name on your account exactly matches your passport and ticket. As in, “including your middle name,” if needed. If not, correct it before you try to take your test. If not, be prepared to do some major tech support work before taking the test.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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