Testing after Covid

jakkigers

If you’ve had Covid and recovered they tell you not to test again for 90 days (if not experiencing symptoms) as you could have a positive test without actually having Covid.  How will this work for testing for return to the UK?  I’ve tried searching the internet for an answer without any luck.  Does anybody know?

Jak x

onashoestring

I have found this question answered on Scottish Government website 

“Previous positive test results 

If you have recently tested positive for coronavirus and more than 10 days have passed since your positive test, you may be concerned that you will test positive pre-departure and this will prevent you from travelling.  Evidence of prior infection does not remove the requirement to provide a negative pre-departure test to travel to Scotland, or once in Scotland. This is to mitigate against the risk of re-infection with a different variant of coronavirus. If you have had Covid-19 in the last 90 days, we would recommend that you select a lateral flow device (LFD) for pre-departure testing, as LFDs are significantly less likely to give persistent positives for someone who has tested positive within the previous 90 days. As above, LFDs  must meet the minimum standards of 97% specificity and 80% sensitivity.”

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/testing-for-people-travelling-to-scotland/

la_gusanita

This is  better info than on the whole English gov website - and helpful for the way out - but as far as I can find, you have to do a PCR test on day 2 of your return - so it's seems like it's just a matter of crossing your fingers.

119 do not know the answer, initially after a long wait on hold, they told me that as a fully vaccinated adult, I would only need the NHS app Covid Pass and wouldn't need a day2 PCR test.  Since then, I've tried to discover if the same is true for my 11yr old who just recovered from Covid and in so doing I've been told by Test and Trace that in fact all travellers have to take a day2 PCR test.   
It's confusing and frustrating - not to mention expensive!

Dr_Crypto

It’s a mess but we seem stuck with it until enough people pressure the government to drop the testing system. 

The day 2 test may or may not be positive. If it is you will be contacted by track and trace and you can explain that you’ve tested positive in the last 90 days and they may or may not exempt you from the 10
day quarantine. I’d book a day 2 test with known slow turn around times so even if they didn’t exempt you most of the 10 days would be up anyway….

silvercar

Dr_Crypto said:

It’s a mess but we seem stuck with it until enough people pressure the government to drop the testing system. 

The day 2 test may or may not be positive. If it is you will be contacted by track and trace and you can explain that you’ve tested positive in the last 90 days and they may or may not exempt you from the 10
day quarantine. I’d book a day 2 test with known slow turn around times so even if they didn’t exempt you most of the 10 days would be up anyway….

I agree. To add to that, I would phone 119 on day 2 and ask for advice as to whether to take the test or not. You have to buy the test in order to complete the plf, without which you won't be able to fly home. 
If you can avoid actually doing the test, I would do so. If you are forced into taking the test then you could have a discussion with test and trace about isolating, though the strict letter of the law does require you to isolate. It will also effect other passengers on the plane if they are 18+ and not fully vaccinated.

michael1234

Day 2 is one thing but what if you're stuck outside the UK and can't get a negative test to return. Do you need to wait 90 days ?

silvercar

michael1234 said:

Day 2 is one thing but what if you're stuck outside the UK and can't get a negative test to return. Do you need to wait 90 days ?

You need to wait until you get a negative antigen test. I think the average time for a positive PCR is 1-2 weeks for those without symptoms and slightly longer for those with symptoms. It will be shorter for antigen tests as they require a higher viral load to record a positive result. Those vaccinated tend to recover quicker, so will be positive for a shorter time.

silvercar

michael1234 said:

Day 2 is one thing but what if you're stuck outside the UK and can't get a negative test to return. Do you need to wait 90 days ?

It would be very rare to test positive for 90 days! Particularly on an antigen test.