Canaries Antigen Test

Guapo58

well my original source was the hotel I am visiting in Los Cristianos-by phone call-I speak fluent espanol btw!   I think if anyone knows they should as it is they who need to see evidence of said test!!

Guapo58

The essential thrust of my comment is that the Canarian authorities believe that antigen tests are readily avail to foreign tourists. They may well be in Germany eg who account for a large proportion of visitors, but they certainly  do not seem ti be  promoted anywhere or avail anywhere in UK to buy privately as far as I can see. If the Canarian govt really want to push tourism, they cd at least be aware that antigen tests do not exist for UK travellers !!  Anyhoo all academic now as trip cancelled as UK govt as of this eve imposed quarantine yet again. On an island nation who test everyone who enters. I swear they are making the rules up as they go along !!!  Cansries must be one of the safest destinations!

eskbanker

Guapo58 said:

Anyhoo all academic now as trip cancelled as UK govt as of this eve imposed quarantine yet again. On an island nation who test everyone who enters. I swear they are making the rules up as they go along !!!  Cansries must be one of the safest destinations!

The statistics are published at https://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/principal/coronavirus/acceso_datos.html and show that incidence rates and positive test % have increased significantly over the past week, so for those who take notice of science rather than soundbites, these are valid reasons to impose restrictions....

ripofflondon

YIPPEE!  FCDO Travel advice has just been updated (I signed up for email updates) - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain - Canaries still are not 'avoid all but essential' but people will have to self-isolate upon return to the UK.  And it still talks about having to get a PCR test - hopefully that will be clarified by early-mid next week.

MoneySavingAndy

Hi,

I  thought it might be helpful to let people know that flying to the Canaries with a negative ANTIGEN test result is all fine - I am writing from Gran Canaria now having flown in with my family today. 

We all had antigen tests done at our local Occupational Health Centre in Bristol (still £100 each unfortunately, but cheaper than PCR and no risk of not getting a result back in time) and printed out the documents that we were sent. 

The Spanish Health Travel Form was the only slight worry: you are supposed to complete it online before travelling and declare that you have a negative PCR test result to then get a QR code. If you answer "no" to that question, because you have a negative ANTIGEN test when it explicitly states PCR, it will not generate a QR code. This is just a result of the Canaries breaking rank from the mainland: the form does not accommodate this option.

When we got to Bristol Airport, they just gave us the paper equivalent after accepting our test certificates, so we could have ticked "yes" on the online health form all along. Be warned: without a negative antigen or PCR test, you will not be allowed to board the plane. On arrival at Gran Canaria airport, after going through passport control, they were very efficient in checking everyone's temperature, checking the negative test certificate and collecting the Spanish Travel Health form (or QR code). They didn't seem to care what was on the health form, but they did care about proof of a negative test result. 

In the hotel, they also checked the test certificate. 

In summary, a negative ANTIGEN test is now just as acceptable as a PCR test, and they seemed well prepared and, speaking for our hotel at least, take being "COVID secure" very seriously - if you are moving around anywhere, you need to wear your mask. 

Hope that helps a few people,

Andy. 

PS We still have to self-quarantine on return though!

Pollycat

Andy

Which airline did you fly with?

I'm reading an account on Tripadvisor about Ryanair refusing to allow someone to board because they didn't have a PCR test - they did have an antigen test but Ryanair said it wasn't acceptable.

This was at Stansted yesterday.

MoneySavingAndy

Pollycat said:

Andy

Which airline did you fly with?

I'm reading an account on Tripadvisor about Ryanair refusing to allow someone to board because they didn't have a PCR test - they did have an antigen test but Ryanair said it wasn't acceptable.

This was at Stansted yesterday.

We flew with Easyjet. It was pretty straightforward, and as I said, absolutely no problem on arrival at either the airport or the hotel. I did see one woman having problems getting on the plane, and she may have been refused boarding, but I think that was because she was showing them a text message. Get a 'Fit to Fly' certificate sent to you by e-mail with name, passport number, DOB, details of test centre (ours had a proper letter heading and pseudo 'stamp' embedded on the PDF), date/time of test, type of test and clear statement of a negative result and take hard copies - much easier than on a phone. 

Pollycat

Thanks, Andy.

I think this might be one of those things where airlines interpret things differently - as back in the summer when some airlines were insisting on QR codes for every passenger, despite what the Greek government said they needed.

Guapo58

ExpressTest at Edi airport. Has anyone had experience. Have paid for 4 tests, money withdrawn, no confirmation of test. Had to bring test forward coz of new quarantine rules. A call centre staffed by a  bunch of incompetent adolescents who are in min wage in a call centre contracted by the organisation. Just constantly being told, calls will be escalated an Customer Services will reply in 24 hrs. Nearly 100 phone calls, no Senior personnel to talk to, no contact in 3 days- turning up on Wed with nothing but a bank debit. £1500 at stake but noone gives a stuff!!  Just  who are these people ??  No guarantee of a £360 refund if no test forthcoming. Dont know if any better at LGW but shambolic at EDI!!!

ripofflondon

Pollycat said:

Thanks, Andy.

I think this might be one of those things where airlines interpret things differently - as back in the summer when some airlines were insisting on QR codes for every passenger, despite what the Greek government said they needed.

Thanks all. I am due to fly to TFS with Wizz Air on Fri and am left wondering whether i need to get a PCR test or can get away with a TMA or antigen 1.  Don't suppose any MSE-ers have had any recent experience?