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Testing positive abroad

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michael1234
michael1234 Posts: 671 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
edited 19 May at 4:57PM in Coronavirus Board
Hello All

This doesn't apply to me (hopefully!) but it could do and it could I imagine apply to anyone. What would you do?

So I'm driving across western europe homeward bound. On my last day I've got an antigen test booked to get across the border to the UK. I check out of my hotel and on the way to Eurotunnel I stop to get a "rapid antgen test".

It tests positive. What should I do? I'm in a foreign country, nowhere to stay - I've already checked out of my last hotel. Obviously I can't just book another hotel as I'm covid postive. But whilst I don't feel any symptoms right now I'm worried I might do shortly. I'm in my car. Quarantine somewhere but where? Surely I can't sit in my car all night and the next night ...etc. Especially if I start to get feverish.

What should I do? What should anyone in that position do ?
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Comments

  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 22 August 2021 at 11:15PM
    Take the test earlier. Alternatively plan your trip differently. 
  • Largely a pointless hypothetical but you do whatever the rules of the country you're in stipulate.

    If you have no money, tough.
  • michael1234
    michael1234 Posts: 671 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 23 August 2021 at 12:01AM
    Not sure I understand why taking the test earlier would help? I'd be in the same position wouldn't I?

    Also not sure what money has to do with it ?

    And its not so much hypothetical. If my test on Tuesday is positive I'll be exactly in that position which is what made me think about it.

    Maybe just maybe someone will provide some useful info.
  • You follow the rules of the country you are in at the time, your ability to pay for it is immaterial.
  • Caz3121
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,837 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Not sure I understand why taking the test earlier would help? I'd be in the same position wouldn't I?

    If you do it 2-3 days before leaving you would not have checked out hotel and not be on way to Eurotunnel so you will have a couple of days to confirm the country requirements for isolating and rearrange your travel
  • Caz3121 said:
    Not sure I understand why taking the test earlier would help? I'd be in the same position wouldn't I?

    If you do it 2-3 days before leaving you would not have checked out hotel and not be on way to Eurotunnel so you will have a couple of days to confirm the country requirements for isolating and rearrange your travel
    Moving across Europe from one hotel to the next. So 2-3 days before would leave me stranded further away inbeteen hotels.
  • Caz3121 said:
    Not sure I understand why taking the test earlier would help? I'd be in the same position wouldn't I?

    If you do it 2-3 days before leaving you would not have checked out hotel and not be on way to Eurotunnel so you will have a couple of days to confirm the country requirements for isolating and rearrange your travel
    Moving across Europe from one hotel to the next. So 2-3 days before would leave me stranded further away inbeteen hotels.
    Maybe don't do it then.  The answer is simple, you follow the rules of the country you're in when you test positive,
  • Nebulous2
    Nebulous2 Posts: 5,672 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's speculation at the moment, but you need a plan B. It's one of the risks of travel now. You'll get very little help and will spend a difficult few days with a need to choose a 'least worst' option.

    I've been in France over 20 times since 1990 but not since Aug 2019. This is about the longest spell I've gone without holidaying there.  I'm simply not prepared to take the risk. 

    I was locked down in New Zealand in March 2020. My insurer, travel company and the High Commission were all useless. That has shaped my attitude to the risk of travel. 

    Basically, they have spun the roulette wheel, you have bet on both black and red, and now you are thinking:- "Oh shoot, what happens if it lands on zero?" 
  • CKhalvashi
    CKhalvashi Posts: 12,134 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Michael, how long realistically is it going to take you to get back?

    I've done a similar drive from the London area in less than 33 hours including a break to sleep and borders (but pre-pandemic).

    It may be worth positioning to the West of the country you're in on day 1, taking an antigen test and sleeping there, and then driving the 20-ish hours as a double crew (changing driver every 3-4 hours) back to Calais, before entering the UK and sleeping in a hotel in Folkestone on a late day 2 arrival, before continuing home on day 3.

    At least if it returns positive you're in a cheap country, especially important if you are limited on funds.
    💙💛 💔
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 22,548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    What would you do if you  show signs of having covid when you are travelling abroad?

    Even of you are vaccinated you can still become ill with covid.

    What plans do you have in that scenario?


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