Anybody using this platform to download their covid test to get their Trusted Travel Code for travel to Zimbabwe? I see it is required starting Aug 7.

quote:

Originally posted by sevenmagltd.:
Anybody using this platform to download their covid test to get their Trusted Travel Code for travel to Zimbabwe? I see it is required starting Aug 7.

I'm departing for Southern Africa in a few weeks and plan to have my Traveler's PCR Test conducted at the Kingwood Hospital.

Earlier today, I contacted them to inquire about the Trusted Travel Test Code (TT) referenced in the excerpt below.

Unfortunately, their representative wasn't familiar with the Trusted Travel Test Code.

She advised that if the airline has a concern regarding the authenticity of the PCR test results, they usually telephone the hospital for validation.

Excerpt:

***
Travel Advisory on the Launch of the AU Trusted Travel Platform for the Verification of COVID-19 Certificates for Zimbabwe

The Government of Zimbabwe has taken note of the growing prospect of another wave in the COVID-19 cycle in the region. Such a wave could be worsened by the circulation of dangerous new variants from overseas. Zimbabwe, like most countries, has tried to minimise the risk of disease importation from the onset of the pandemic by requiring international travelers to produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 test at Points of Entry. However, as the risk grows, so does the critical need to strengthen the system and to harmonize cross-border COVID-19 requirements, thereby assuring the integrity of certificates presented.

Therefore, the African Union, Africa CDC and other partners, working with PanaBIOS as technical leads, have introduced the Trusted Travel Initiative to support AU member states harmonise and enhance their current health screening systems. Trusted Travel offers an online digital platform for the verification and authentication of COVID -19 test results based on a collaborative effort across a network of participating COVID-19 testing laboratories and Port Health authorities. This platform allows for the detection of counterfeit travel documents and also enhances cross-border collaboration and confidence in COVID-19 results originating from other countries. This platform further provides updated information on entry requirements and travel restrictions for participating states.

The Ministry of Health is therefore pleased to announce the launch of the Trusted Travel Platform in Zimbabwe. We are confident that this platform will ease travel for both travelers into and out of the country.

In order to facilitate the use of this platform, the following guidance is provided:

Passengers intending to undertake international travel are expected to present themselves to any one of our Trusted Travel accredited laboratories for a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test.
Currently the accredited laboratories are:

a. Matebeleland South
i. Beit bridge district hospital
ii. Gwanda provincial hospital
b. Matebeleland North
i. Lupane Hospital
ii. Bio express lab Victoria Falls
c. Midlands
i. Gweru provincial Hospital
d. Masvingo
i. Masvingo provincial hospital
ii. Collin Saunders memorial hospital
iii. Gutu mission hospital
e. Mashonaland west
i. Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital
f. Mashonaland East
i. Marondera Provincial Hospital
g. Mashonaland Central
i. Bindura Provincial hospital
h. Manicaland
i. Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital
i. Harare
i. Bio Express Labs(PVT)
ii. CIMAS MEDLABS
iii. Lancet Clinical Laboratories
iv. National Microbiology Reference Laboratory
v. National TB reference Laboratory
vi. Parirenyatwa Central Hospital
vii. Sally Mugabe Central Hospital
viii.United Nations Clinic
j. Bulawayo
i. United Bulawayo hospital laboratory
ii. Mpilo hospital laboratory
k. Chitungwiza
i. Chitungwiza Central Hospital

Newly accredited laboratories can be found by visiting the Trusted Travel portal and creating an account at trustedtravel.panabios.org. To find accredited laboratories, travelers must indicate their current origin and intended destination.

When a test has been run, the laboratory will generate a Trusted Travel test (TT) code that can be verified by airlines and Port Health Authorities to confirm that the test came from an accredited laboratory.

Travelers will then receive a text message from PanaBios and an email from the testing laboratory with a link that will allow the traveler to create an account at trustedtravel.panabios.org and access the Trusted Travel Test Code (TT). Travelers must ensure when creating an account to access the results reported by the laboratory that they use the same email address and phone number that they gave to the laboratory.

If the test results issued satisfy the full requirements set by Zimbabwe and the country of destination (for example, validity period or test type) then a Travel Code (TC) will be issued to the traveler online for presentation to airlines and Port Health Authorities.

Whilst the TT code confirms that a test was performed by an accredited laboratory, the TC provides additional evidence that the test performed is still valid at the time of travel since results can expire and regulations may change at any time as the pandemic evolves.

When travelers present themselves to their port of departure or arrival, the port health officials will use the clearance code (TC) provided to verify that their results meet all other requirements beyond having been issued by an accredited lab.

Inbound-travelers with results from non-Trusted Travel -compliant laboratories will be required to upload a copy of their results on the Global Haven System (www.globalhaven.org) for authentication. Uploading forged documents will undermine the ability to travel globally.

Travelers encountering challenges with use of the Trusted Travel and Global Haven systems are assured of technical support if they send an email to globalhaven@panabios.org

The Trusted Travel Platform will be fully available for use from 1st of August 2021. From 7th August 2021 only COVID-19 certificates obtained on the Trusted travel platform or verified on the Global Haven systems will be valid for exit or entry into Zimbabwe.
***

Thanks for the info.!

I created an account at 'trustedtravel.panabios.org' and they list 20 Trusted Testing (TT) compliant labs in the USA.

Excerpt from the Trusted Travel website:

***
Labs with the TT certification logo are Trusted Testing compliant. Tests taken at Trusted Testing (TT) compliant labs are automatically added to your profile here and guarantee entry into your destination. Test results from non-TT labs have to be uploaded for validation ahead of travel.
***

quote:

Labs with the TT certification logo are Trusted Testing compliant. Tests taken at Trusted Testing (TT) compliant labs are automatically added to your profile here and guarantee entry into your destination. Test results from non-TT labs have to be uploaded for validation ahead of travel.

As per my travel agent, Zambia implemented the Trusted Travel Initiative in June.

Has anyone uploaded a copy of their PCR test results from a 'non-Trusted Travel compliant lab' for authentication, and if so, did you receive an immediate validation along with a Trusted Travel Test Code?

Thanks in advance!

Cajun, I just replied to you with a pm, call me!

Any more insight that anyone has regarding Trusted Travel would be appreciated.My son and I leave from DFW to Harare through Joburg in 4 weeks. Hunted Africa several times but the COVID requirement goalposts seem to keep moving. Thanks!

quote:

As per my travel agent, Zambia implemented the Trusted Travel Initiative in June.

Has anyone uploaded a copy of their PCR test results from a 'non-Trusted Travel compliant lab' for authentication, and if so, did you receive an immediate validation along with a Trusted Travel Test Code?

Thanks in advance!

I returned from Zambia a week and a half ago. Traveled on Ethiopian through Dulles. I was able to upload results from our local hospital lab and immediately got a QR code. Ethiopian looked at the test and the QR code (but did not scan it) on departure.
On return, the GlobalHaven app locked up at the upload step on multiple devices when we tried to get a code for the PCR done at a non TT hospital lab in Lusaka to return. That may have been a function of the sketchy internet, not globalhaven.org. We just presented our lab results going home with the departure QR code and had no problem. Once again, no one even tried to scan the QR, but the outgoing test also had additional official paperwork from the Zambian Ministry of Health.
No one, but no one, looked at covid test results on return entering through Chicago. Seems CPB is relying solely on the airlines to police the covid tests.

quote:

I returned from Zambia a week and a half ago. Traveled on Ethiopian through Dulles. I was able to upload results from our local hospital lab and immediately got a QR code. Ethiopian looked at the test and the QR code (but did not scan it) on departure.

Highstepper, thanks for your feedback my friend.

Is your local hospital lab a Trusted Testing compliant lab as per Global Haven?

Yesterday, I accessed the Global Haven website and they list 185 labs here in the USA but only 20 of the listed labs are designated as Trusted Testing compliant labs.

As per the Global Haven website, uploading PCR test results from a compliant lab will result in the immediate issuance of a Trusted Travel code.

Thanks in advance!

My wife and I are headed to Moz in about three weeks, I see that Mozambique is a member of the African Union. I don't yet know if they are going to require a "Trusted Traveler" code or certificate but I don't think I will be signing up for any account with PanaBios...check out their website and read it closely. If all countries in the African Union follow this program, it will surely slow tourism/hunting recovery.

An August 7 update on the Zimbabwe embassy website states that due to the new Covid variances, they are now requiring quarantine, testing within the 1st 48 hours of arrival, and on the 3rd, 5th, and 10th day of quarantine. That’s in addition to the Covid test prior to departure from Zimbabwe. If you are in a hunting camp (and if it even could be an approved quarantine location), how’s it even possible possible to get the required testing? Much less, if it’s a 7 day hunt, how would that even be possible? There are booking agents and travel agents who utilize this website and if there was ever a time for their input, it’s now. Myself and several others are leaving for Harare in 3 weeks, and this new uncertainty is not good.

quote:

Highstepper, thanks for your feedback my friend.

Is your local hospital lab a Trusted Testing compliant lab as per Global Haven?

Yesterday, I accessed the Global Haven website and they list 185 labs here in the USA but only 20 of the listed labs are designated as Trusted Testing compliant labs.

As per the Global Haven website, uploading PCR test results from a compliant lab will result in the immediate issuance of a Trusted Travel code.

Thanks in advance!

No, our lab isn't- but it's a major university hospital lab. My understanding is that the panbios/globalhaven program was endorsed by the African CDC because of the large amount of fraudulent tests travelers within Africa were presenting. It's purportedly an AI engine that looks for certain elements on the report to make sure it isn't a fake. I just entered the name and address of our lab, scanned the report, and was immediately approved and a QR code generated. Additionally, I noticed the Ethiopian agent circle certain elements on our lab results (i.e. RT-PCR, date of collection, etc.). I think if you present a result with the standard elements generated from an EMR and enter the name and address of a reputable lab you'll be good to go, whether that lab is on the TT list or not. That approach worked for us.

quote:

Originally posted by highstepper:

quote:

Highstepper, thanks for your feedback my friend.

Is your local hospital lab a Trusted Testing compliant lab as per Global Haven?

Yesterday, I accessed the Global Haven website and they list 185 labs here in the USA but only 20 of the listed labs are designated as Trusted Testing compliant labs.

As per the Global Haven website, uploading PCR test results from a compliant lab will result in the immediate issuance of a Trusted Travel code.

Thanks in advance!

No, our lab isn't- but it's a major university hospital lab. My understanding is that the panbios/globalhaven program was endorsed by the African CDC because of the large amount of fraudulent tests travelers within Africa were presenting. It's purportedly an AI engine that looks for certain elements on the report to make sure it isn't a fake. I just entered the name and address of our lab, scanned the report, and was immediately approved and a QR code generated. Additionally, I noticed the Ethiopian agent circle certain elements on our lab results (i.e. RT-PCR, date of collection, etc.). I think if you present a result with the standard elements generated from an EMR and enter the name and address of a reputable lab you'll be good to go, whether that lab is on the TT list or not. That approach worked for us.

Highstepper, thanks for your feedback based on your recent experience.

The following excerpt is from the Global Haven website:

"* Labs with the TT certification logo are Trusted Testing compliant. Tests taken at Trusted Testing (TT) compliant labs are automatically added to your profile here and guarantee entry into your destination. Test results from non-TT labs have to be uploaded for VALIDATION ahead of travel."

The verbiage 'Test results from non-TT labs have to be uploaded for VALIDATION ahead of travel' is most concerning (IMO).

- How do organizations located halfway around the world (i.e. - United Nations, African Union, Africa CDC, Global Haven, Zimbabwe CDC, etc.) VALIDATE a lab located in Smalltown, USA?

- Does the VALIDATION process occur immediately or over several hours, days, weeks, etc.?

Your recent experience and response 'It's purportedly an AI engine that looks for certain elements on the report to make sure it isn't a fake' provides a better understanding of their current VALIDATION methodology.

With my departure (Zimbabwe) scheduled for next week, I reckon the 'Wink, Wink', 'Don't Worry, Be Happy', and 'This is Africa' advice provided by many of those involved in the safari industry will have to suffice for now.

Cheers and please carry on my friends!

I’m told that this is currently only needed for travel on Ethiopian Airlines, but other airlines are being being asked to participate. Doesn’t affect travel to Mozambique, yet, through Joburg.

Highstepper, thanks for telling everyone about your experience. Makes me less apprehensive.

I leave for Zim in 10 days. Just set up an account at globalhavaen.org, very simple so far but of course I don't have a test result to upload!

Definitely adds some tension when you have to get your test RESULT within 48hrs of departure, and now also enter it into this site. Certainly hope the site is working on the weekend before we fly out!

I looked to see if there was a global haven or trusted travel app, but nothing came up in the app store.

quote:

Originally posted by Baker458:
Highstepper, thanks for telling everyone about your experience. Makes me less apprehensive.

I leave for Zim in 10 days. Just set up an account at globalhavaen.org, very simple so far but of course I don't have a test result to upload!

Definitely adds some tension when you have to get your test RESULT within 48hrs of departure, and now also enter it into this site. Certainly hope the site is working on the weekend before we fly out!

I looked to see if there was a global haven or trusted travel app, but nothing came up in the app store.

I flew back from Harare on Aug 7, my second trip since June. It does add some stress worrying about downloading test results. I was over-thinking it. Once I downloaded as a scanned file sent from my PH's wife and the second time I downloaded pictures of the paper test I took with my cell phone in the airport.

You will be fine.

Thanks jjbull, that's good to hear, the site does look fairly simple.

Now I just need a nice, negative China Flu test within my 48hr departure window. Took a 'self' one at home today & it was clear.

I'll update as well after I put get a result & put my info in.

CVS and Walgreens (and many other places)give free covid tests, with results in 24-36 hours, we take one of these about 4 days before departure, just in case, plus a rapid test the day of departure. Testing 3-4 days ahead of time gives one a few more options should you should test positive.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
CVS and Walgreens (and many other places)give free covid tests, with results in 24-36 hours, we take one of these about 4 days before departure, just in case, plus a rapid test the day of departure. Testing 3-4 days ahead of time gives one a few more options should you should test positive.

Karl, thanks for the ‘Heads Up’ on this. I hadn’t thought of that strategy.

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
CVS and Walgreens (and many other places)give free covid tests, with results in 24-36 hours, we take one of these about 4 days before departure, just in case, plus a rapid test the day of departure. Testing 3-4 days ahead of time gives one a few more options should you should test positive.

Karl, thanks for the ‘Heads Up’ on this. I hadn’t thought of that strategy.

Worked well for us this past March, took some of the worry out of the pre-flight rapid test.