What is the Process for travel / PCR tests ? 22 July 2021 at 3:34PM in Coronavirus travel help & info 14 replies 532 views

StuieUK34

Hi all,
Might seem a repeat thread, but after reading different info pages on different websites, including the GOV website, i am slightly confused!   

For ref, we are both "Fully Vaccinated" + Both use the NHS App (aka: Covid Pass /  Domestic Pass / Travel Pass), in England......

We are doing 5 nights in Lanzarote (spain) - Amber list at the moment, although its probably irrelivant if Green or Amber.........

Everything i have read this morning, basically says:
We do NOT need to take a PCR test on the way to Lanzarote. (we need to complete the form via Spanish App, and show the QR code on NHS app to show we are jabbed)...
 **** (if for instance, we did need a PCR test on the way out, we would use the kit from Randox, which is:  Pre-Departure PCR test of which swabs are delivered to Randox Labs, results/certificate received by email 72hrs before departing )  ****

But, the Return to the UK,  this is puzzling me!
I see info that says, we must take a TEST 2 days BEFORE arrival to the UK.  Doesnt state whether a PCR test is required, or RAT is allowed...(flow test, the free thing the NHS gives out, but cant be used for holidays as no theres no money to be made using NHS endorsed free devices)

I then see 'Day 2' & 'Day 8' Test kits ???
So, would that mean taking a Test 2 days before coming home, then another test 2 Days after arriving home, then another test 8 days after arriving home ??
I also read that due to being vaccinated, we wouldnt need the 8 day test, only the 2 day...
But which 2 Day Test do we take ?  the 2 Day before we come back to the UK, or the 2 Day After we arrive ?

Randox list a 'Amber Fully Vaccinated Travel Pack'  , which has 1  PCR Test to take before Leaving the UK ,   and 1   'Day 2' PCR test....
If taking a test 2 days before coming back to the UK, where would we post this off to, to get the results back within 48hrs of flying ??? 

A RAT (lateral flow test), i know you can do yourself , but if you do this, how do u get the results to show an airline/airport, etc !
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !

Browntoa

PCR test before returning, several on the island in resorts doing them for 30 Euro or less.

PCR test for day 2 after returning has to be pre booked and entered on the locator form

Sandtree

Browntoa said:

PCR test before returning, several on the island in resorts doing them for 30 Euro or less.

Test before returning doesn't have to be a PCR and at sub €30 I'd suspect they are lat flow tests or some other antigen variant 

StuieUK34 said:

A RAT (lateral flow test), i know you can do yourself , but if you do this, how do u get the results to show an airline/airport, etc !
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !

Most are going one of two paths... you do it at a local pharmacy or airport there and they give you a certificate or some clever UK companies give you the option of taking the test with you, you do a Zoom video chat where they see you do the test and the result and then email you the certificate.

Ganga

Sandtree said:

Browntoa said:

PCR test before returning, several on the island in resorts doing them for 30 Euro or less.

Test before returning doesn't have to be a PCR and at sub €30 I'd suspect they are lat flow tests or some other antigen variant 

StuieUK34 said:

A RAT (lateral flow test), i know you can do yourself , but if you do this, how do u get the results to show an airline/airport, etc !
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !

Most are going one of two paths... you do it at a local pharmacy or airport there and they give you a certificate or some clever UK companies give you the option of taking the test with you, you do a Zoom video chat where they see you do the test and the result and then email you the certificate.

The one we have ordered is a 2 day before you fly home and 2 days after you arrive home .
The first one ( i have looked on the internet ) you do yourself ,swab your nose , put the swab in the test tube ,add the liqued ,shake and pour onto the test device ,photo the result and send to the company who give you a pass on your phone to use at the airport.
the second one you swab and post off the test result to the lab.
I think this is how it works as we do not have them yet .

StuieUK34

Cheers for the replies...
Out of curiosity,  if a person had to do a:  PCR test before going out + PCR TEST before coming home + Day 2 test + Day 8 Test......
That sounds like it could be quite expensive ?!!!

Ganga

StuieUK34 said:

Cheers for the replies...
Out of curiosity,  if a person had to do a:  PCR test before going out + PCR TEST before coming home + Day 2 test + Day 8 Test......
That sounds like it could be quite expensive ?!!!

Our tests are £20 each but going to a Green country ( well it is amber but we are both double vaccs ) and only need a test to return and one test after two days home ,but if you put the cost against the price of the holiday it is peanuts ,you probably spend more in the airport before you fly 

StuieUK34

in a weird way of saying it, i dont mind the costs as such,  meaning i wouldnt want to buy Test kits that arn't needed....

My assumption from reading what i read is that i dont need a PCR test on way out, but i might need a PCR or RAT test 2 days before i come home, and i will need a 'Day 2' test done 2 days after i get home (not sure if the Day 2 kit is a PCR or RAT kit...)

If your paying £20, guessing your flying with Tui or Jet2  ?

onashoestring

The Day 2 test refers to the one you must take when back in UK .

However it must be purchased before you fly back as you will need it for your Passenger Locator form - without this you maybe prevented from boarding the plane home .

 You must purchase your Day 2 test from the list of suppliers on the Government website , it is sent to a lab for to check for variants and the results are uploaded to the NHS Test and Trace system 

There is an article explaining everything clearly here: 
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/how-to-find-the-cheapest-private-coronavirus-tests-for-travel/

Ben1989

It's 3 days before travel to the UK, not 2 days. RAT is accepted. I did a RAT before travel back.

So when preparing to come home you need:
- PCR or antigen test (up to 3 days before travel)
- A booked Day 2 PCR test (plus Day 8 if not vaccinated) from the list of approved suppliers
- Passenger locator form completed

StuieUK34

Cheers Ben...
Makes sense..
So a RAT or PCR test, i guess i can do at a pharmacy in Puerto Del Carmen (Lanzarote), guessing thats about 30 euro or so, but if taking a local test before i travel home, who gives the results and who do you show the results ?
I did read yesterday, that you can buy the RAT kit (exact same kit the NHS issue for free   ) and take with you, and do a video call with a UK nurse who validates the '3 day before you fly home' test kit,  dont suppose anyone tried that ?  (dont mind a trip to local spanish pharmacy though.. )

I'll go via Randox for the 'Day 2' test which i will get before going away (did read i need the ref number to use on the PLF ) .....

Ganga

onashoestring said:

The Day 2 test refers to the one you must take when back in UK .

However it must be purchased before you fly back as you will need it for your Passenger Locator form - without this you maybe prevented from boarding the plane home .

 You must purchase your Day 2 test from the list of suppliers on the Government website , it is sent to a lab for to check for variants and the results are uploaded to the NHS Test and Trace system 

There is an article explaining everything clearly here: 
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/how-to-find-the-cheapest-private-coronavirus-tests-for-travel/

We have purchased these but they are not posting them to our house one/two days before we get home so do not know how we will be able to add them to our P .L. F.  unless they supply a kit number on the order ,i will have to check , the problems of being an old person in a modern world