Day 8 Covid test for short stay

Lindarry

Hi, I’m English but live in France and have to travel via the UK for a short 5 day stopover.   It seems I have to book and pay for a day 8 Covid test even though it will never be used, and I believe as per government guidelines is non refundable.  The gov uk website clearly confirms that it is required even though it will not be needed.  The tests aren’t cheap and my personal funds are (as always) very minimal.  There must be many transiting passengers doing the same thing, it seems very unjust and and a moneymaking excise,… Or is there another answer?

Caz3121

if you are travelling via the UK to another country, can you bring your other flight forwards (or delay your flight to the UK) to cut down the amount of time you are in transit to under 48 hours? Given that you will be required to self-isolate for the entire 5 days there seems little benefit in having such a long transit

sheramber

 Transiting does not usually involve a 5 day stop over.

 

Lindarry

Agreed, and if I could I would.  This post was more to share about being forced to do something financially ( ie purchase day 8 test) that will not be required as I have a onward flight booked prior to that time.

Ben1989

Well, technically speaking you have to quarantine upon arrival so you will be breaking the law continuing your journey after 5 days. As has been said, it is not a transit stop and you will be leaving the airport thus officially 'entering' the UK.

Your best bet is getting a relative who lives in the UK to call 119 and ask

CKhalvashi

Ben1989 said:

Well, technically speaking you have to quarantine upon arrival so you will be breaking the law continuing your journey after 5 days. As has been said, it is not a transit stop and you will be leaving the airport thus officially 'entering' the UK.

Your best bet is getting a relative who lives in the UK to call 119 and ask

It is allowed to travel directly to a port to leave the UK within the 10 day isolation period.

If travelling from France, a day 2 and day 8 test must be booked before arrival if remaining in the UK for longer than 2 days.

michael1234

I think Lindarry makes a very good point covering yet another area of the C19 legislation that doesn't make sense. 

sheramber

But people could claim they were leaving within the time scale but not go.

michael1234

That is a good point but it falls under the umbrella of enforcement which isn't ideal. For example, people can easily not quarantine right now but state they are doing so.

IMO the whole area including the crucial detail need to be re-visited. Everything from moving from 100% checks to random checks (as with drugs) at airports, to tests/refunds, testing, tracking and quarantine.

The gov through a lot of money at it but not enough thought IMO.

sheramber

People get random phone calls and house visits to check they are self isolating.  

on 21 May
On Wednesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said 30,000 home visits had already taken place in the last week to check if people were quarantining.

Short of locking everybody, as they do for those from red list countries,  up or banning travel into the country, what more can they do?

You tell us how you would operate it?