Tests for travelling back from Spain after 4am on Sunday 8th August

Spendless

Hi, can anyone tell me what the actual wording from the Government was about PCR tests rather than antigen ones if travelling back to UK from Spain. I have seen news stories that say 'you are urged to' and that 'you are advised to'.  My sister is currently in Spain, due to fly home on Sunday afternoon, having taken antigen tests with her and though she's aware no one has said it's compulsory to have a PCR test, she's a little concerned that the difference won't be understood. 

Caz3121

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england
There is a section on Type of Test that notes the required standards - many of the companies will validate the test via video call to be able to issue a certificate ( I assume this is not an NHS/free test she is planning to use)

Spendless

Caz3121 said:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england
There is a section on Type of Test that notes the required standards - many of the companies will validate the test via video call to be able to issue a certificate ( I assume this is not an NHS/free test she is planning to use)

Thanks. I'll have a look. No, it's not an NHS one. It's one from an approved Government site that she has bought and taken with her (my daughter and boyfriend took exactly the same test with them last week to return from Greece)

ETA- Yes, we're aware of this. My question  is in regards to the change overnight of the recommendation (but not compulsory) that after 4am on Sunday people returning from Spain have a PCR test before arrival in England.

silvercar

LFT is acceptable, PCR is advised. So legally either can be used. Your choice which one to take. Given that you will be doing a PCR on day2 when you get home, I would be inclined to go for the cheaper option.

Make sure you don't eat or drink anything for half an hour before taking the LFT, particularly anything acidic.

onashoestring

Here is the wording 
“ Travel from Spain and its islands - if you are travelling to England from Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca), you are advised to take a PCR type test before travel.”

Spendless

onashoestring said:

Here is the wording 
“ Travel from Spain and its islands - if you are travelling to England from Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca), you are advised to take a PCR type test before travel.”

Cheers. Sis is just a little worried that 'advised to' will be interpreted as 'meant to'. and they'll not accept her antigen results. I've suggested she checks with her airline.

Ben1989

Advised to is not law. There's not a problem here. They'd rather people take PCR tests as they're more accurate that's all.

CKhalvashi

Spendless said:

onashoestring said:

Here is the wording 
“ Travel from Spain and its islands - if you are travelling to England from Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca), you are advised to take a PCR type test before travel.”

Cheers. Sis is just a little worried that 'advised to' will be interpreted as 'meant to'. and they'll not accept her antigen results. I've suggested she checks with her airline.

I think that's the idea from the government to members of the public, however TIMATIC states that LFD is completely acceptable, which is the system the airlines use.

As above, she'll be taking a PCR test on day 2 anyway, so the cheaper option IMO is more than sufficient.

Amyylou00716

hello, I am in a similar situation and scheduled to return from Spain tomorrow, can you advise whether you sister was able to travel in the end it would be re-assuring to know before I leave for the airport

Thanks
Amy

CKhalvashi

Amyylou00716 said:

hello, I am in a similar situation and scheduled to return from Spain tomorrow, can you advise whether you sister was able to travel in the end it would be re-assuring to know before I leave for the airport

Thanks
Amy

Good morning Amy,

I ran some dummy details (but a British adult travelling to UK in any event) through TIMATIC for the OP before my above post.

You can do this at the IATA travel centre, the link is here.

This is the system that airlines use, so it's coming straight from the horses mouth. I had issues when the borders closed last March boarding a flight to Belarus while this information was checked at the gate (electronic check-in and no hold bags, so proceeded straight to security) and it took literally 2 minutes, so even if an issue is flagged, she is unlikely to miss the flight once it's checked.

Assuming she's fully vaccinated, your sister will require proof of test (either Lateral Flow or PCR), proof of a booked day 2 test (which can be taken immediately on her arrival in the UK, but must be before 23:59 on Thursday) and no isolation on return.

Assuming she's not fully vaccinated (which is applicable if she hasn't had the second vaccine before 26 July), she will require proof of test (either Lateral Flow or PCR), proof of a booked day 2 test (which can be taken immediately on her arrival in the UK, but must be before 23:59 on Thursday) and day 8 test (which can be taken any time after 00:01 on Wednesday 18 August) and 10 isolation on return, which will be extended if either test does not return negative.

I am sure for your peace of mind, OP will answer with real world experience if they are online.

Spendless

Amyylou00716 said:

hello, I am in a similar situation and scheduled to return from Spain tomorrow, can you advise whether you sister was able to travel in the end it would be re-assuring to know before I leave for the airport

Thanks
Amy

Hi, she travelled yesterday but her flight was cancelled, so they put them on another flight that landed at a different English airport (she had to re-do her PLF) so this meant a coach transfer from the airport she landed in to the one where her car was parked! I haven't heard from her since yesterday morning and I'm guessing she's still sleeping the journey off, but I have messaged her and will update the thread when she replies.