Fully vaccinated returning from amber list -which type of test is needed?

javixeneize

Hi

im confused with the type of test I need to take when returning from a country in the amber list when you are fully vaccinated.

The guidance says you need to take a pcr on day 2, but the link where it redirects, which is the same as the day2 test when coming from a green list country, says you can take a pcr or an antigen test.

What is the situation there? Can you have an antigen test on day 2 or does it need to be a pcr?

thanks

mar7t1n

From 19th July - fully vaccinated can follow the green-list procedure from amber-list countries. An Antigen before travel and a PCR on day 2. Some providers send you out with the antigen kit, and you need to provide evidence. I would beware of trying to make sure it's done in time on hotel wifi via services that are "extremely busy due to covid".

Ben1989

You need a PCR or an antigen test before departing for the UK. You need to show you're negative before getting on the plane.

Then you need a PCR on or before Day 2 after you land.

Other types of tests are available but no suppliers offer them so its PCR that's required. This is all presuming you're fully vaccinated after 19th July, as Martin said.

javixeneize

ok, so i get i need just the same as if returning from a green country, right?

I get all the tests listed here are PCR then, correct?

https://www.find-travel-test-provider.service.gov.uk/test-type/green

Any experience with any of them? I was looking at a couple of them (https://0044covidtest.com/ for example) and it is reported as scam in several pages

Thanks

Ben1989

Yes you are effectively 'returning from a green country' when you're fully vaccinated coming from an amber country.

I really rate Randox. My Day 2 & Day 8 tests came in plenty of time. My Day 5 tests are a different matter, however, that will not apply to you. Their instructions are clear.

They have Randox drop boxes dotted around the country so check that there are some convenient to you beforehand. You don't want to buy them and realise you have an hour drive away. You simply just put them in these boxes and be done with it so there's no having to post them or whatever.

Randox are cheapish at £48 and are an established company. I would be hesitant trying to find the cheapest one and possibly having issues with no customer service etc. But that's my personal opinion. Randox on trustpilot have bad reviews (mine is one of them) but these are mainly aimed at tests where timing is critical (pre-departure, Day 5 etc). Since yours is Day 2 it'll be no issue.

Having said that, 119 give you a free test if Day 2's do not arrive so may be worth going with the cheapest haha

RobinofLoxley

Ben1989 said:

Yes you are effectively 'returning from a green country' when you're fully vaccinated coming from an amber country.

I really rate Randox. My Day 2 & Day 8 tests came in plenty of time. My Day 5 tests are a different matter, however, that will not apply to you. Their instructions are clear.

They have Randox drop boxes dotted around the country so check that there are some convenient to you beforehand. You don't want to buy them and realise you have an hour drive away. You simply just put them in these boxes and be done with it so there's no having to post them or whatever.

Randox are cheapish at £48 and are an established company. I would be hesitant trying to find the cheapest one and possibly having issues with no customer service etc. But that's my personal opinion. Randox on trustpilot have bad reviews (mine is one of them) but these are mainly aimed at tests where timing is critical (pre-departure, Day 5 etc). Since yours is Day 2 it'll be no issue.

Having said that, 119 give you a free test if Day 2's do not arrive so may be worth going with the cheapest haha

Like you I had issues with Randox.

I ordered Day 2 and 8 + 5 day TTR tests with them.
Mainly because of the price and they had a dropbox near to my home.

The day 2 & 8 test results were late coming back. They promise results before the end of the following day. Mine took more than 2 days, although that wasn't a problem.

The day 5 TTR though was a disaster. I never received it and on my day 6 had to drive to an airport for a test from a different company and same day result.

As you will be aware their customer services are non existent. It's impossible to contact them on the phone and they don't reply to emails.

I'm still trying to get a refund from them.

Personally I wouldn't  recommend Randox.

gettingtheresometime

Where in the UK do you live?

Ben1989

RobinofLoxley said:

Ben1989 said:

Yes you are effectively 'returning from a green country' when you're fully vaccinated coming from an amber country.

I really rate Randox. My Day 2 & Day 8 tests came in plenty of time. My Day 5 tests are a different matter, however, that will not apply to you. Their instructions are clear.

They have Randox drop boxes dotted around the country so check that there are some convenient to you beforehand. You don't want to buy them and realise you have an hour drive away. You simply just put them in these boxes and be done with it so there's no having to post them or whatever.

Randox are cheapish at £48 and are an established company. I would be hesitant trying to find the cheapest one and possibly having issues with no customer service etc. But that's my personal opinion. Randox on trustpilot have bad reviews (mine is one of them) but these are mainly aimed at tests where timing is critical (pre-departure, Day 5 etc). Since yours is Day 2 it'll be no issue.

Having said that, 119 give you a free test if Day 2's do not arrive so may be worth going with the cheapest haha

Like you I had issues with Randox.

I ordered Day 2 and 8 + 5 day TTR tests with them.
Mainly because of the price and they had a dropbox near to my home.

The day 2 & 8 test results were late coming back. They promise results before the end of the following day. Mine took more than 2 days, although that wasn't a problem.

The day 5 TTR though was a disaster. I never received it and on my day 6 had to drive to an airport for a test from a different company and same day result.

As you will be aware their customer services are non existent. It's impossible to contact them on the phone and they don't reply to emails.

I'm still trying to get a refund from them.

Personally I wouldn't  recommend Randox.

My Day 5 never came and I forced them to let me go to airport and pickup a Day 5 test which I did. Awful.

However, regarding Day 2 & 8 your life isn't reliant on the speed of the results, especially if not isolating at the time so it's not too big a deal. You could say that with any company, however, so may as well get the cheapest. Unless the Randox drop boxes are close by and a plus point.

I find Randox's reviews on Trustpilot laughable. 1 star after 1 star followed by 5 stars with a comment that's blatantly from staff or family and friends. "So happy I chose them out of all the companies available". Sure.

RobinofLoxley

Ben1989 said:

RobinofLoxley said:

Ben1989 said:

Yes you are effectively 'returning from a green country' when you're fully vaccinated coming from an amber country.

I really rate Randox. My Day 2 & Day 8 tests came in plenty of time. My Day 5 tests are a different matter, however, that will not apply to you. Their instructions are clear.

They have Randox drop boxes dotted around the country so check that there are some convenient to you beforehand. You don't want to buy them and realise you have an hour drive away. You simply just put them in these boxes and be done with it so there's no having to post them or whatever.

Randox are cheapish at £48 and are an established company. I would be hesitant trying to find the cheapest one and possibly having issues with no customer service etc. But that's my personal opinion. Randox on trustpilot have bad reviews (mine is one of them) but these are mainly aimed at tests where timing is critical (pre-departure, Day 5 etc). Since yours is Day 2 it'll be no issue.

Having said that, 119 give you a free test if Day 2's do not arrive so may be worth going with the cheapest haha

Like you I had issues with Randox.

I ordered Day 2 and 8 + 5 day TTR tests with them.
Mainly because of the price and they had a dropbox near to my home.

The day 2 & 8 test results were late coming back. They promise results before the end of the following day. Mine took more than 2 days, although that wasn't a problem.

The day 5 TTR though was a disaster. I never received it and on my day 6 had to drive to an airport for a test from a different company and same day result.

As you will be aware their customer services are non existent. It's impossible to contact them on the phone and they don't reply to emails.

I'm still trying to get a refund from them.

Personally I wouldn't  recommend Randox.

My Day 5 never came and I forced them to let me go to airport and pickup a Day 5 test which I did. Awful.

However, regarding Day 2 & 8 your life isn't reliant on the speed of the results, especially if not isolating at the time so it's not too big a deal. You could say that with any company, however, so may as well get the cheapest. Unless the Randox drop boxes are close by and a plus point.

I find Randox's reviews on Trustpilot laughable. 1 star after 1 star followed by 5 stars with a comment that's blatantly from staff or family and friends. "So happy I chose them out of all the companies available". Sure.

As you say, with the day 2 and 8 tests it isn't a problem if the results are late.
Unless like someone I know got their day 8 back on day 12!

After finding it impossible to get through to Randox about my missing day 5 test. I had to take a 100 mile round trip to get a test done at a walk in centre (not Randox), on my day 6.

I would definitely say to anyone looking for a pre flight PCR test or a day 5 TTR. Pay a bit more and go in person to a test centre for same day results.

Don't rely on postal, courier or dropbox type services.

BTW have you heard anything from Randox about a refund yet?

It's impossible to get through on the phone to them and I've emailed them about 10 times without reply. 

mar7t1n

When you are back home - it possibly doesn't matter if you have an issue with receiving the kit or it being processed. You have had your holiday and got home. If you have done what you need to and been let down by a government approved provider you cannot be prosecuted as it is outside of your control. Tests prior to travel are more important that they work and are delivered on-time, as you will be denied boarding without the required paperwork. 

Hopefully the UK government will soon follow other countries and permit fully vaccinated travellers in without further documentation. If people decline the offer, that's up to them, why should we all pay £100 and have a lot of stress and hassle to try and keep them safe.

meishka

I understood if you are travelling to Spain from the UK you need EITHER a negative PCR test OR proof of being fully vaccinated?