Rapid Antigen Tests, according to the CDC, are commonly used in the diagnosis of respiratory pathogens (such as COVID-19 virus). They are relatively inexpensive, and return results in approximately 15–30 minutes. However, the sensitivity of antigen tests varies but is generally lower than most laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) such as the RT-PCR test.
At present, as part of Federal Government’s travel requirements “all travelers must submit a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test result from a CLIA/CDC/UKAS approved lab accredited with ISO/IEO 17025 standard, taken 72 hours prior to travel…” it goes on to add that “acceptable COVID-19 PCR tests must be taken by nasopharyngeal sample. Self-samples, rapid test, or home test will be considered invalid.”
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, provided more details from a medical perspective on why the Rapid Antigen Test will be accepted: