The island of Aruba has introduced a service in collaboration with OK2Roam, which eliminates the need to make travelers wait for their PCR test results to be manually verified and the need to upload test certificates. Travelers can now authorize an approved laboratory to send their negative test result directly to Aruba’s Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) card entry platform and rest assured that it will be instantly accepted.
The ED card registration is mandatory for all visitors to Aruba, including minors and infants. Proof of a negative PCR test, within 72 hours prior to entering the country, is also required of all travelers above 11 years—including those already vaccinated.
The new service is being provided by VFS Global, which has built an international network of government-approved COVID-19 testing laboratories, and OK2Roam, which is providing a secure data connection between the lab network and Aruba’s online ED entry platform. Initially, it will be available in the U.S. and Canada, from Stage Zero Life Sciences and from Same Day Health. Travelers will have the choice of taking a video-supervised saliva test in the comfort of their home or going to a test center in over 50 locations across the U.S.
Currently, the biggest challenge for many departments of health and border-security forces—as they are responsible for physically inspecting PCR tests prior to granting access—is that they must manage the trade-off between a rigorous review and swift response time for travelers. However, with this new approach, and with travelers’ consent, PCR test results can be fed directly from a trusted laboratory to the Aruban Immigration Authority via OK2Roam’s secure technical platform.
The island of Aruba offers the perfect backdrop for tourists seeking relaxation, adventure or romance. Throughout the pandemic Aruba has successfully maintained inbound tourism while simultaneously mitigating the spread of COVID-19 among locals. The island’s enthusiasm for innovative technology, such as that deployed by its online ED card platform, is one of the primary reasons for its success.
For more information, visit www.aruba.com. Travelers can book their test by visiting www.vfsglobal.com/aruba. The new service is not limited to any particular airline or airport. All travelers can use it, provided they can test with a participating lab.
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