If you would like to travel now, be prepared for regular swab tests, be it ART or PCR, that is just how it is these days. I have already been swabbed 4 times and for my entire trip, I will need to take up to 12 swabs! That is just how the reality is with respect to travelling is. Rules are constantly changing as does government regulations, no matter how well you plan your trip, it will come back and haunt you. I started out planning to head to destinations that will allow me to minimise testing but in the end, I was still required to do so. I was heading to Belgium after Germany and as such, I will be required to have a negative swab test result to enter quarantine free. I would just like to briefly share my ART COVID-19 Testing Experience in Bonn, Germany!
Booking & Cost
So far, Germany is the only place where I managed to find free testing and they are regularly available. I was lucky to chance upon a website that shows free testing venues in Bonn. You can visit this website to find out more info and the testing locations.
The one I choose is right in the city centre by Markt. It’s run by COVID Zentrum
I am surprised by the sheer amount of free testing locations in different cities. The location in Bonn should be perfect for everyone or most of the tourists. Booking one of them is easy and you can do so in minutes. Choose the Free 20-Min Burgertest.
Then you can choose your timing. Definitely reserve in advance especially if you already know your schedule. They are usually open from 7am to 8pm. You can then fill in your personal details and do make sure that your email, date of birth and passport number are correct since these are the most crucial info. You won’t want your swab test result to be invalid over a typo. Do take note that at the website, you can also find out testing venues and options for other German cities like Berlin, Bremen, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Ingolstadt, Leipiz, Munich and Dresden. While not hefty, the ability to save 25 euros or so might be handy or even hefty if you are travelling with family.
Location
As mentioned, the location is right by Markt. I will include a SS of the map below. It is right on the South East Corner.
Experience
Being my first time doing a swab overseas, I was naturally terrified. I wore an N95 and a Surgical Mask and then a Face Shield as well haha! It was a short walk from my hotel. After the test, I literally spray sanitiser all over myself and wipe myself down with wipes. The risk is there because only 2 groups of people will go for testing, either the travellers or those who are feeling under the weather. You never know! The experience was very smooth and fast. I was out in less than 5 mins. When I arrive at the place there was a person in front of me and I actually arrive way ahead of my appointment time. All you have to do is to show the QR code that will be emailed to you and the staff will then give you a card.
I was then shown into one of the partition where the swabber gesture for me to pull down my mask to expose just my nose. It was one of the more pain free testings I did. Well if it helps, the swabber was pretty too! Then you can leave straightaway. The results will be emailed to you. I love their operating procedure as it cuts down time and interaction at the test site which then limits your exposure.
In around 20 mins you can scan the QR code on the card that they give you to retrieve the results. It will also be emailed to you. By the time I wipe down all my stuff and back in my hotel room my results were out already. The results are in both English and German and valid for travelling.
Hope this helps! Stay tuned for the next episode of my travels. My 97th and 98th cities!
Seeing The World In Steps 
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