Bermuda has expanded its pre-testing options for travelers to the island. 

The Atlantic island has launched a program with Costco that offers in-store PCR saliva test kits, along with an OpenClear testing service in Midtown Manhattan. 

The Costco program is now accessible at more than 120 locations across the United States. 

The New York program, which launches Jan. 5, is an alternative to the existing PCR nasal swab tests, offered by appointment every Tuesday from 9 AM to 3 PM. 

New York is one of Bermuda’s prime source markets. 

“Costco and OpenClear tests are part of Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) collaborations and meet Bermuda Ministry of Health pre-travel turnaround time requirements,” the Bermuda Tourism Authority said in a release. “In fact, the in-store option at Costco is expected to further shorten turnaround times, because shipping schedules are susceptible to delays as a result of holiday demand or weather—priority given to the movement of COVID-19 vaccines is also creating a bottleneck on deliveries.”

The BTA said visitors would be required to secure pre-testing ahead of travel to the island “for the foreseeable future.”

For more on Bermuda’s travel protocols, see here. 

– CJ