Kirk here with a little report on my experience getting a PCR test that would allow me to get in to Hawaii to visit family. This post is related to (or, in a sense, an extension of) an earlier post by Chuck Waterman. First, here’s the link to the post by Chuck:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/5807263189347065
Before I went to Hawaii I got my test at the Haga Kodomo Clinic in Mashiki. It’s one of the clinics listed on the following page:
https://townwifi.com/aftercorona/pcr/list/?id=43
One of the things we talked about in relation to Chuck’s post was the hefty fee: 33,300 yen. I’ve forgotten the exact amount but Haga Kodomo Clinic is significantly lower – just over 20,000 as I recall. Moreover, I didn’t realize it at the time but Haga is the ONLY place in Kumamoto on a list of facilities recognized by the State of Hawaii. One thing I’m still fuzzy about is what kind of PCR test (that is, from what facility) you need to get in to various places throughout the world. It seems that China, like Hawaii, has designated certain facilities but I’m not sure about other countries / regions.
I learned from Jackie Benke (Thanks Jackie!) about a new facility behind the Shiyakusho (City Hall?) in Kumamoto City that will start administering PCR tests on the 18th of this month for just 5,000 yen. I don’t know, however, if a test from such a facility will be admissible in other countries. Be careful about that. Or, they may charge more to fill out the proper form in English.
I hope that those of you with wisdom and knowledge that I lack will share what you know in a comment on this post. Thanks!