Tourists buy or fake negative COVID-19 tests to travel

The pandemic has led many countries to implement travel restrictions for people from certain areas of the world. If you are in the United States, where the pandemic is currently getting worse by the day, it is probably not easy for you to find a country you can travel to right now.

And even if you find that country, you will probably be forced to quarantine for two weeks when you get there or face legal consequences. Some people don’t like this. So they simulated or bought negative COVID-19 tests to get around these requirements. And it’s a real problem.

USA Today reports, “French police arrested seven people for selling false negative test results at Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, which is the largest in Europe. Prosecutors said the suspects charged between 180 and $ 360 for fake certificates. “

The investigation began when someone trying to travel to Ethiopia provided false documents. For those arrested, they could face up to five years in prison and nearly $ 500,000 in fines if convicted.

And France isn’t the only place that has happened. Last month alone, four Brazilian tourists were arrested after landing in Fernando de Noronha and trying to access one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. They were accused of presenting “altered” documents, jailed and immediately tested for COVID-19.

Fernando de Noronha reopened to tourists as long as they present a negative COVID-19 test that was administered “no earlier than one day before departure”. These four tourists had test results dated three days prior to their arrival.

They were refused access and told they needed to be re-tested, but they refused. Then, shortly thereafter, they magically presented new test results with a different date. Officials called the lab to confirm, and the lab informed them that the documentation had been changed.

A man in Britain told the Lancashire Telegraph that his friend gave him a negative COVID-19 test and changed the name to his own, printed it out and was able to travel to Pakistan using it.

This problem does not appear to be widespread in the United States, although the state that there are many tourists trying to enter – Hawaii – has extremely strict testing and quarantine policies. It’s all to preserve the health of their residents and prevent a catastrophic increase in cases.

You would think travelers understand this and are willing to abide by the rules. After all, if you’re traveling now, in the midst of the pandemic, it’s probably because you really, quite right? To make a permanent move or visit family members, right?

In the United States, the problem isn’t necessarily that people are faking tests. But towards the start of the pandemic, the FBI warned of fake pop-up test sites designed to steal people’s Social Security numbers and credit card information.

Especially now, it is imperative that you travel only if you really you must, that you are tested properly and do so responsibly, and that you are clear about any entry requirements for your destination. You could end up in jail! Not to mention the health risk for many people. And it’s not worth going to any beach in the world.