Many countries require passengers from overseas to take PCR tests for the coronavirus upon arrival at airports, even though they have taken one three days before their departure? Do you think PCR tests upon arrival should be abolished?

What's the point of this except to line the pockets of those running the tests. Triple jabbed people especially should be exempted.

They're not particularly accurate anyway, especially when different countries run different numbers of cycles. Basically PCR testing is a complete crock designed to get people into a compliance mindset, and has little to do with actually solving a problem. Proud to say I've never had a PCR test, as I've never had covid symptoms nor the suspect vaccinations.

I know several cases of false positives from those who take those tests and have been forced to be locked up in those quarantine facilities and really getting the virus there. On the required testing upon arrival, I think it's excessive as if the passenger was already tested pre-flight, what's the purpose of taking up upon arrival?

At one point last year they were regularly getting a positive rate of 5% for those arriving. Even after testing negative within 72 hours of departure. This was at the time they were trying to keep Japan "Omicron free", which is long gone. I think its all just part of the pantomime to dissuade people from traveling.

its over.

lets go back to our normal life with normal travel without annoying restrictions.

lets be FREE AGAIN.

For those triple jabbed - Yes. Abandon it right now. All the variants are here anyway, - I'm pretty sure if this is abandoned the flakes who won't have their third jab will.

Many countries require PCR or sometimes a lateral flow test before departure but at this present time I don't know of any except Japan that also need testing for all passengers on arrival. Are there any?

What's the point on testing to enter any country? It's not like Covid is contained within Wuhan.

It’s an industry now with a staff of lobbyists.

I can buy a fair PCR test for about 5 dollars in many countries. On the other hand I'm in no mood to get COVID again, it's no fun. So yeah, trust everyone but redo the tests over in Japan.

The scientist who developed the PCR test has stated several times that it is not a test for viruses and shouldn't be used for this. It is a test relating to DNA testing only.

It's all hypochondria

Not according to the experts that say detection is a very useful thing to control outbreaks.

They're not particularly accurate anyway

For the tests used in the developed world the accuracy is above 99.9%, the number of cycles is not a factor on the specificity because it depends on many other factors of the reaction so two tests can have very different number of cycles and still be equally precise.

I know several cases of false positives from those who take those tests and have been forced to be locked up in those quarantine facilities and really getting the virus there

And how do you know they are false positives? and why would anybody being isolated get the infection? if you have the idea that people are quarantined in groups that is completely false. It is simply much more likely the result was a true positive from the beginning.

At one point last year they were regularly getting a positive rate of 5% for those arriving. Even after testing negative within 72 hours of departure.

Unless those people spend isolated all the time since the test this is nothing strange, the test indicates that a person is not expelling viruses at titers high enough to be detected at one point in time, but it can already be incubating the disease or be infected in the time it took to travel, which will keep happening unless people are quarantined before the trip.

The scientist who developed the PCR test has stated several times that it is not a test for viruses and shouldn't be used for this. It is a test relating to DNA testing only.

That is completely false, just a misrepresentation of the actual thing being said (which is still mistaken, just not as mistaken as you tried to misrepresent).

They should be completely abolished. Time to move on and treat the rona as what it is: a glorified flu.

Except that those that deal with epidemics say you are completely wrong. Do you know when the pandemic should be treated as influenza? when it has the same number of cases, just try to see how many cases influenza have every month and you will see the huge difference.

While I basically think re-testing is not a bad idea it is a bad indea in the case of Japan as it's contributing to keeping its borders closed. There just doesn't seem to be the testing capacity to cope with arrivals if borders were opened. And as my main complaint is that Japan doesn't open the borders (to foreigners) I'd accept scrapping the test upon landing.

Covid is all over and for me not particularly debilitating.

Entering Japan where numbers are up and I get tested-ridiculous!

Yes, they should be abolished.

It is pointless to focus on retesting people arriving (you have to be negative to get on the plane) when there are already 50,000 new cases a day walking around in Japan, with very little testing of them or people they've been in contact with.

It is time to get back to normal and open up Japan. I do feel no one should be admitted if they cannot show proof of two vaccinations and a booster.

No. I think all immigration should be banned.

Of course have they to be tested for a dangerous virus on arrival, like it is done with their luggage for other dangerous things. The shown certificates from other countries are of no use, they can be falsified or just even only be bought on the bazaar for a few bucks. I agree, that it is too late anyway, because if they are infected and the airplane has landed, of course and obviously the viruses have already successfully intruded anyway, if there’s a following quarantine or not, doesn’t play a role then. That would only differ in delaying time until further spreading. But anyway, of course YES, a country surely has a right to know, who and what and how that all comes in.

I recently took three weeks overseas, from Japan. I think it is an absolute disgrace that these private clinics in Japan are being allowed to charge between ¥18,000 and ¥40,000 for a simple PCR test. it greatly angers me that these private businesses are being allowed to take advantage of the pandemic to price gouge customers who have no other choice but to take this test.

It is a disgrace that the Japanese government are allowing them to do this. These PCR test should be free or the customers should just pay the minimum amount to cover the costs of the test.

I'll ask again as there was no answers last time...

Apart from Japan, which other countries require a PCR test on arrival. (Not pre-departure)

Are there any?

They should not be abolished. The virus can hybernate for 14 days before it manifests itself. It may pop up during the extended travel time. Many flights have connections and stop overs in other countries on their way to Japan and the virus may be picked up on the journey.

I travelled in December. PCR before I left Japan, PCR and quarantine when I arrived at my destination. A chap I met there did exactly the same, except 3 days after his arrival he was taken to hospital with COVID. So what actually did it achieve?

Coming back was the same, and Narita was a farce.

No, as some countries tests can not be trusted!!!

It is pointless to focus on retesting people arriving (you have to be negative to get on the plane) when there are already 50,000 new cases a day walking around in Japan, with very little testing of them or people they've been in contact with.

The rational is not about adding one extra case to the thousands happening every day, but reducing the possibility of a new variant entering the country. As long as COVID is considered pandemic and active outbreaks happening all around the world the possibility of a new variant (that could evade completely the immunity against previous variants, or be much more pathogenic) can't be eliminated. If you wait until this possibly new variant is identified to begin testing people the chances of it entering the country are much higher.

I think its quite clear that the question is incorrect. There are NOT many countries requiring PCR tests on arrival. A better question would be ...

Should Japan stop administering PCR tests on arrival in line with almost all other counties in the world?

I can buy a fair PCR test for about 5 dollars in many countries

Yes you can buy fake test results just as you might buy fake ID, but that doesn't mean someone on a check-in desk is going to let you on a plane with it. The airlines operate as the first line of Japanese immigration. If they take unqualified people to Japan, it will be them who have to do the deporting. It's not in their interest to let just anyone on the plane.

kohakebisu.....

This isn't about PCR test BEFORE a flight, its about taking a test flying and then on ARRIVAL having to take another PCR test.

Mr Kipling

you'll get a test on arrival if you want?

Why not take a test before, during and after arrival, and then... ???