Travel to Cyprus - COVID test beforehand

sjp1957

We have a holiday booked for Cyprus on 1st October for which we have to have proof of a negative COVID Test. Apparently the NHS test won’t suffice and the private ones are in the region of £200. Has anyone visited and/or could recommend where to get a test done. Thank you

Orville

Hi.
https://conceptoclinic.co.uk/

I am having one done here Wednesday 12th.

If I remember i'll let you know how it went.

If you join the cyprus-mail website they also keep you up to date with any changes with regards to entry, along with the .gov website They are now apparently accepting and NHS test. You do need though to provide an appointment time and result etc on the mail the nhs sends you. There seems to be very little info on what actually happens with regards to booking an NHS test and what info you actually get when you first book and the actual result. I am not chancing it and will still get my private one done. You can now apparently under the reason for having a test select the box "Other" this many think would be ok for reasons to travel abroad.

I might even get an NHS one done as a backup just incase.

sjp1957

Thank you - this is really helpful, 

DGMackay

sjp1957 said:

We have a holiday booked for Cyprus on 1st October for which we have to have proof of a negative COVID Test. Apparently the NHS test won’t suffice and the private ones are in the region of £200. Has anyone visited and/or could recommend where to get a test done. Thank you

Hi, are you any further forward with your PCR situation?  We booked for Cyprus last week to fly on Saturday the 19th September and only found out about the test on Monday. You'd think the airline would have to make you aware of any restrictions or rules that apply to the country you are visiting! We are trying to get a private test booked but to prove the time the sample was taken (72 hours before flying) is difficult as there isn't a time on the negative certificate they provide. Also getting the results back before flying is touch and go and may cost £145 each at least. I have someone I know that had an NHS test last week, got the results within 2 days and flew on the Saturday which worked ok for them. They had to copy and paste the text & email received onto the Flight Pass site in Cyprus. Its stressed us to the max. seriously annoyed at EasyJet and the apartments for not mentioning this PCR test requirement. I will let you know how we get on this week. ta

 

bradders1983

You shouldnt be using the NHS capacity if you have no symptoms. 

Things are bad enough as it is without people using the capacity so they can go on a holiday during a global pandemic.

Caz3121

DGMackay said:

 seriously annoyed at EasyJet and the apartments for not mentioning this PCR test requirement. 

It is not the airline or accommodation providers responsibility. It is the passengers responsibility to ensure they know and adhere to the current requirements in this ever-changing world
Best place to keep an eye on things if you choose to travel during the current situation is the FCO site https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus/entry-requirements. 

The NHS site make it clear who qualifies for a test https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

"Important

Only get a test if you have coronavirus symptoms or have been asked to get tested.

Do not use this service to get a test in order to travel to another country. You can pay for a private test."

Your friend that had the NHS test either had symptoms, was asked to take a test or lied.

epm-84

bradders1983 said:

You shouldnt be using the NHS capacity if you have no symptoms. 

I think if it's a test for travel then the test certificate is supposed to be issued containing your passport number so that the border agency know that Mr John Smith who had the test is the same person as Mr John Smith who has arrived in their country.  The NHS don't offer that option for test results.

In an ideal world the NHS should be testing people with no symptoms e.g. if someone you live with has tested positive then they only test you if you start showing symptoms, which does not help to identify how many people have the virus but aren't displaying any symptoms.

epm-84

Caz3121 said:

DGMackay said:

 seriously annoyed at EasyJet and the apartments for not mentioning this PCR test requirement. 

It is not the airline or accommodation providers responsibility. It is the passengers responsibility to ensure they know and adhere to the current requirements in this ever-changing world

Airlines generally do have a special COVID page on their websites with details of any special requirements.  However, I'm sure the majority of people who have booked to go to places where a COVID test is required (like Cyprus and Iceland) would have so before a pandemic was declared so they may not have gone back to their airline's website after booking unless they've received an email telling them something has changed.

eskbanker

epm-84 said:

Caz3121 said:

DGMackay said:

 seriously annoyed at EasyJet and the apartments for not mentioning this PCR test requirement. 

It is not the airline or accommodation providers responsibility. It is the passengers responsibility to ensure they know and adhere to the current requirements in this ever-changing world

Airlines generally do have a special COVID page on their websites with details of any special requirements.

EasyJet do indeed offer that advice on their website, at https://www.easyjet.com/en/policy/country-specific-travel-information

Cyprus

On arrival to Cyprus countries from category B (for list of categories please see link below) will be required to provide evidence of a negative PCR test (COVID-19 test). The test must be obtained within 72hrs before travel and the confirmation can be in the form of an email or SMS.

Specific forms – for all flights arriving in Cyprus

Cyprus flight pass >

ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE TRAVEL

You will be asked to show proof during your journey

Fletchkov

This is a huge worry . You only have to look at the travel forums on another popular 

We are due to go on the 2nd . Booked the actual holiday before lockdown . It’s a friend and myself , leaving our family at home for a well earned break. We cannot cancel because   We will lose money and British Airways are only giving refunds if they cancel not us . We are on a budget and any test will have to come out of our spending money . 

BA have done nothing to contact us at all about test advice for Cyprus . We don’t live anywhere near London so whatever test we have is going to expensive as they all have to be couriered to London as that’s where they test . Got a quote £210 yesterday for somewhere within driving distance . A lot when you were only planning to take £500 spending money . So much confusion over wether a postal test is acceptable ......an absolute nightmare ! Wish Martin would actually look into all this for us travellers. It’s a minefield!