Day 2 test - return from Green country

legalfreak

There appears to be some confusion over whether the day 2 test needs to be a PCR one or can a LFD suffice.

UK govt website does not require specifically a PCR on Day 2 so why are posters writing otherwise?

sarah1972

No confusion on the gov website, hit green country and your test providers come up ? https://www.find-travel-test-provider.service.gov.uk/test-type

legalfreak

I'm sorry but in my post I did not say that there is confusion on the govt.website. On the contrary, we are in agreement here. My point is still this: the UK govt. does not require AFAICS to have PCR test on Day 2 (or before) when returning from a Green country. My understanding from the govt. Website is that it can be a LFT if the requirements are met.
Your link refers to test providers and doesn't negate my post, imho.
Edit: Perhaps a supervised test using a Lateral Flow Device is considered/defined as a 'PCR' test while a 'rapid' Lateral Flow Device test is a LFT:)

Sandtree

legalfreak said:

I'm sorry but in my post I did not say that there is confusion on the govt.website. On the contrary, we are in agreement here. My point is still this: the UK govt. does not require AFAICS to have PCR test on Day 2 (or before) when returning from a Green country. My understanding from the govt. Website is that it can be a LFT if the requirements are met.
Your link refers to test providers and doesn't negate my post, imho.
Edit: Perhaps a supervised test using a Lateral Flow Device is considered/defined as a 'PCR' test while a 'rapid' Lateral Flow Device test is a LFT:)

Lateral flow test is not defined as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) under any circumstances.

A PCR test is required for day 2 because it not only tells if you are infected but which variant it is if you are, lateral flow tests do not sequence the genetic material of the virus. The government website is not as explicit as it once was but if you follow the provider finder you'll find every link goes through to PCR testing.

Ben1989

As Sandtree said, a PCR test is definitely required on Day 2. Do not confuse the matter.

However, a LFD or PCR can be performed before departure to the UK. This is where you may be getting confused?

legalfreak

I am not confusing the matter. I have read every single page (I believe) on the UK.gov website with reference to day 2 tests and a PCR test is not mentioned. What is mentioned is a 'Covid test'. So I respectfully suggest that it is others who are 'confusing the matter'.
And please don't confuse people by saying (without qualifying or caveating your comment) that there is a choice of having a PCR or LFD test before departure to the UK. It is indeed the case that the UK does not insist on a pre departure to the UK on a PCR test. However, one country (at least) on the Green list requires a PCR test before departure and nothing else will do.

Ben1989

How am I confusing people? You said yourself the U.K. does not insist on a PCR test. You then go on to talk about landing in a different country which I didn’t even mention.

You’re coming off very aggressive so I will withdraw from helping you. Please continue and read the guidelines to fit what you want them to fit. This also means you will be ignoring the Chief Medical Officer who explained Day 2 PCR’s are required upon arrivals to understand which strains are coming from which country. This can only be achieved by PCR. 

Anyway…

Sandtree

legalfreak said:

I am not confusing the matter. I have read every single page (I believe) on the UK.gov website with reference to day 2 tests and a PCR test is not mentioned. What is mentioned is a 'Covid test'. So I respectfully suggest that it is others who are 'confusing the matter'.

Here you go

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/testing-on-day-2-and-day-8-for-international-arrivals#minimum-standards-specific-to-day-2-tests

It states it must be a lab based test that sequences the genome with various standards it must meet.

So, latflow is out as it doesn't sequence and so of the remainder 99% with be PCR tests however technically it could be a LAMP test or some others offered outside of the UK if you can find a UK lab with the relevant authorisations to start doing that other test type... or you just get a PCR test as everyone has been telling you

legalfreak

No. 'everyone' is not 'telling me' but a couple of people on this board. So once again, are you going to deny what is clear to anyone who goes on the gov.uk pages where they explicitly say 'covid test' but do not explicitly say 'PCR test'? Imho,  most travellers would not access the page you have linked to which is not intended for the general consumer public of travellers but for people with scientific knowledge who want background.  I don't doubt that the PCR test is a better test than LFD test. My point is that the gov.uk.pages on day 2 tests make no mention of the word 'PCR" and would argue therefore that there is at least an ambiguity here. A gaping one at that.

sheramber

Since you must order the test from a government list of suppliers you won't have a choice.

You don't have a choice

You will be sent the test which the government has approved for them to send.

Sandtree

legalfreak said:

No. 'everyone' is not 'telling me' but a couple of people on this board. So once again, are you going to deny what is clear to anyone who goes on the gov.uk pages where they explicitly say 'covid test' but do not explicitly say 'PCR test'? Imho,  most travellers would not access the page you have linked to which is not intended for the general consumer public of travellers but for people with scientific knowledge who want background.  I don't doubt that the PCR test is a better test than LFD test. My point is that the gov.uk.pages on day 2 tests make no mention of the word 'PCR" and would argue therefore that there is at least an ambiguity here. A gaping one at that.

It explicitly tells you to book via one of the approved suppliers and if you click through the link the link only offers PCR tests.

The point of the test is not what is "better" but they want a test that provides the gnome of the virus so if you are infected they can tell which variant hence the technical page gives PCR as an example but doesnt state it have to be that... a LAMP test, which I;ve not seen offered in the UK but have seen it overseas, also would meet the sequencing requirement.

They've removed complexity buy saying buy from one of these links and all the links only offering PCR... you dont need to think if the test is appropriate or not, they've done that for you.