What Covid test needed to return to the UK?

elsien

NHS tests

NHS tests cannot be used for the purpose of pre-departure testing before travel to England.

You cannot take an NHS test abroad with you to use on yourself before you return.

That’s from your own link - does that not cover it? Sufficiently unambiguous and unmisleading, I presume, given that it is a direct quote from an official source. 

jplevene

elsien said:

NHS tests

NHS tests cannot be used for the purpose of pre-departure testing before travel to England.

You cannot take an NHS test abroad with you to use on yourself before you return.

That’s from your own link - does that not cover it? Sufficiently unambiguous and unmisleading, I presume, given that it is a direct quote from an official source. 

Thanks and well spotted, this answers the NHS question, but what about other similar tests as I've seen some Lateral Flow tests advertised for just a few Pounds

elsien

Although it doesn’t specifically say it, I would suggest that a test you send off for and self administer would not meet the following criteria:

• the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider

That does seem to me to indicate that they need to be doing the processing, not you. That’s just my reading of it though. 
 

Is it something you want to take a chance of being refused boarding  on or a potential fine when you get back? 

ETA, looking at some of the providers for tests to take with you that come up on Google, if you’re doing the test yourself they have virtual appointments to see you doing it, after which they provide a certificate. That would seem to indicate a degree of oversight is needed, for the reasons already given. 

CKhalvashi

jplevene said:

elsien said:

NHS tests

NHS tests cannot be used for the purpose of pre-departure testing before travel to England.

You cannot take an NHS test abroad with you to use on yourself before you return.

That’s from your own link - does that not cover it? Sufficiently unambiguous and unmisleading, I presume, given that it is a direct quote from an official source. 

Thanks and well spotted, this answers the NHS question, but what about other similar tests as I've seen some Lateral Flow tests advertised for just a few Pounds

Unless you are a registered test provider, which I assume you're not, you will not be able to produce a document certifying that you are COVID-free.

The answer to this is therefore no.

Why do you want to risk being stranded in Spain to save a few £? That will be more expensive, and there will be no right to pass the buck to a third party as it is your duty to ensure you have appropriate documentation to enter the UK, meaning the airline will correctly have denied you boarding.

As it's obvious you haven't read either of the links I've sent you properly and won't take any notice of us telling you that you'll be denied boarding, I don't understand exactly why you've posted here.

sheramber

If you are so sure of your interpretation of the rules why are you asking and arguing on here?

Do come back and tell us what happens when you turn up for your flight home with a NHS test result.

michael1234

I think its healthy for the OP to challenge opinions presented as fact. In this case and for the OP's sake, I do think you will unfortunately need to pay for a private test. I am no expert and know no more than you but I have traveled a few times over the pandemic and have had to research the rules which themselves are a moving target as well you probably know.

I've sadly seen plenty of people denied bording for all sorts of Covid related reasons and its not nice to see. The good news is the antigen test is much cheaper than PCR but you are still lining the pockets of one of hundreds of private testing companies that have sprung up.

My next journey will be to a place where they accept double vaccinated people in leui of tests. However, they also say a printed or online certificate needs to be presented which includes "...the stamp and signature of the doctor who administered the vaccines..." - no chance of that. So despite having the official NHS printed letter which is designed to be proof of vaccination status, I'm not taking the risk of being denied bording so will pay another £80 or so for a PCR test in addition. Ps me off to do so but would rather that than the nightmare of not getting on the plane.

CKhalvashi

Enjoy Ukraine Michael . If you want any advice, just ask, as it's a country I've spent a lot of time over many years.

Ukraine are accepting LFTs now, but these must be administered by a registered testing company.

CKhalvashi

Reported as Spam Leo, this seems a little fishy due to you being a new user.

Pollycat

CKhalvashi said:

Reported as Spam Leo, this seems a little fishy due to you being a new user.

Me too.
'recommending' the same company on all 3 posts.

I've also posted Leo's profile on the 'spam' thread so expect posts will disappear soon.