How long do PCR test results actually take?

nmcnelis

I live in Nicaragua and am getting married next month. My family are hoping to make it over for the wedding but things are obviously complicated.

To make things extra difficult, Nicaragua has a rule that you must submit your negative test results to the airline at least 36 hours before your flight. As you need to take the test no more than 72 hours before you arrive, that leaves a very small window in which to take the test and get the results.

I know that here, and in other countries in the region, test results usually come back on the same day. My fiance took one recently in Panama and had the results within 7 hours. Everything in the UK seems to be advertised as 24 hours at best though.

My question is, do the results actually take that long or is it a case of 'under promise, over deliver'? 

Also, if anyone can recommend a fast service in the Glasgow area it would be very much appreciated.

Sandtree

nmcnelis said:

I live in Nicaragua and am getting married next month. My family are hoping to make it over for the wedding but things are obviously complicated.

To make things extra difficult, Nicaragua has a rule that you must submit your negative test results to the airline at least 36 hours before your flight. As you need to take the test no more than 72 hours before you arrive, that leaves a very small window in which to take the test and get the results.

I know that here, and in other countries in the region, test results usually come back on the same day. My fiance took one recently in Panama and had the results within 7 hours. Everything in the UK seems to be advertised as 24 hours at best though.

My question is, do the results actually take that long or is it a case of 'under promise, over deliver'? 

Also, if anyone can recommend a fast service in the Glasgow area it would be very much appreciated.

You need to clarify what type of test you need for entry into Nicaragua.

According to the FCO here its any form of test and therefore an instant lateral flow test is acceptable as long as it comes with an appropriate certificate. The tests that are advertised with 24hour or 48hour turn around are PCR tests as for those the sample must go to a lab for RNA sequencing

nmcnelis

Sandtree said:

You need to clarify what type of test you need for entry into Nicaragua.

Only PCR tests are accepted

Ganga

nmcnelis said:

I live in Nicaragua and am getting married next month. My family are hoping to make it over for the wedding but things are obviously complicated.

To make things extra difficult, Nicaragua has a rule that you must submit your negative test results to the airline at least 36 hours before your flight. As you need to take the test no more than 72 hours before you arrive, that leaves a very small window in which to take the test and get the results.

I know that here, and in other countries in the region, test results usually come back on the same day. My fiance took one recently in Panama and had the results within 7 hours. Everything in the UK seems to be advertised as 24 hours at best though.

My question is, do the results actually take that long or is it a case of 'under promise, over deliver'? 

Also, if anyone can recommend a fast service in the Glasgow area it would be very much appreciated.

Should that not read " over promise ,under deliver "  

onashoestring

PCR tests are processed in labs - the labs in UK are currently overstretched which is causing higher turn around times . You also have to factor time it takes the courier/ postal service to deliver the test from where it was taken to the lab - Once the test has been done at the lab the results are uploaded digitally so this part of the process is quick. 

Are you sure it is PCR tests required and not a certified LFT ? In the case of a certified LFT it is a quicker process , no lab involved but still you get the proper certificate ( digitally or hard copy ) that meets the countries entry requirements. 

RobinofLoxley

You'll know more about flights to Nicaragua than me but from what I can see there are no direct flights from the U.K.

Most flights look like they involve 2 transfers and take the best part of 20 hrs.

Bearing in mind the PCR test has to be performed no more than 72 hours from entry which is going to be in effect around 48 hours before the flight.

And the results have to submitted to the airline no less than 36 hours before the flight.

That leaves a very small and precise window to get the PCR test done, results back and submit them.

Not un doable but risky and will need to be well organised.