Testing positive abroad 22 August 2021 at 10:06PM edited 22 August 2021 at 10:06PM in Coronavirus travel help & info 19 replies 891 views

michael1234

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 ?

Thrugelmir

Take the test earlier. Alternatively plan your trip differently. 

ItsComingRome

Largely a pointless hypothetical but you do whatever the rules of the country you're in stipulate.

If you have no money, tough.

michael1234

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.

ItsComingRome

You follow the rules of the country you are in at the time, your ability to pay for it is immaterial.

Caz3121

michael1234 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

michael1234

Caz3121 said:

michael1234 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.

ItsComingRome

michael1234 said:

Caz3121 said:

michael1234 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

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

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

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?