The end of pcr tests ?

Sandtree

Deleted_User said:
it's putting those who do have to regularly travel for a legitimate reason in a bind, etc

Not really... as someone who travels regularly its just another thing on the list just like checking visa requirements/getting a visa etc. 

It was an expense but then you just budget for it just the same as budgeting for any tests your destination country wants you to take before going.  Maybe it means you do a VC rather than travelling for a meeting or you go for one night less to offset the cost.

Its for those irregular travellers where they get nervous about border crossing at the best of times that it was more of an issue for.

Doshwaster

unforeseen said:

I note that the 'experts' on TV keep mentioning that the PCR tests need to stay for gene sequencing, even though only about 5% are actually tested .

Fine, let them stay but make them free if that is what they are wanted for. 

Full sequencing is still quite expensive so is only done on a small percentage of PCR samples.

Even if the guidance for Day 2 tests changes from PCR to LFT, I would imagine that there would still be a recommendation for anyone testing positive by LFT to get a confirmation PCR test which can then be used for sequencing. The are also other ways of tracking the variants through random testing such as the ONS/PHE Infection Survey.

silvercar

unforeseen said:

If the primary reason (as would appear from what the 'experts' say) is for gene sequencing then why should the traveller pay? They want the data then they pay for it. 

The primary reason is to reduce the spread of covid! PCR tests are more accurate than LFTs. 

frugal90

What really confused me is that I have a UK passport. However, if I fly back to Heathrow, then on to a Scottish airport I will have different arrangements. How can that be?

Dr_Crypto

That doesn’t really stand up given how few positive travellers there are. Even the stuff about variants doesn’t stand up given the lack of sequencing to check for them! 

frugal90

If I flew back to an airport in England then drove to Scotland what would be the arrangement?

Dr_Crypto

silvercar said:

unforeseen said:

I note that the 'experts' on TV keep mentioning that the PCR tests need to stay for gene sequencing, even though only about 5% are actually tested .

Fine, let them stay but make them free if that is what they are wanted for. 

 Nothing is ever free, someone is paying. If you choose to travel, why shouldn’t you pay? Why should the rest of us taxpayers pay?

I’ve had 2 holidays in the last year, I think it totally reasonable that I pay for the associated tests.

Why? They’re giving out LFTs for free to attendees at festivals. It’s ok for kids to get !!!!!! in a tent (crack on, enjoy life) and get a free test but if you dare to travel you’re a wastrel who should be charged to the max? 

silvercar

Dr_Crypto said:

silvercar said:

unforeseen said:

I note that the 'experts' on TV keep mentioning that the PCR tests need to stay for gene sequencing, even though only about 5% are actually tested .

Fine, let them stay but make them free if that is what they are wanted for. 

 Nothing is ever free, someone is paying. If you choose to travel, why shouldn’t you pay? Why should the rest of us taxpayers pay?

I’ve had 2 holidays in the last year, I think it totally reasonable that I pay for the associated tests.

Why? They’re giving out LFTs for free to attendees at festivals. It’s ok for kids to get !!!!!! in a tent (crack on, enjoy life) and get a free test but if you dare to travel you’re a wastrel who should be charged to the max? 

No, it's not if I "dare to travel", it is if I choose to travel then part of the costs are covid testing and I should factor that in to my budget. 

Doshwaster

frugal90 said:

What really confused me is that I have a UK passport. However, if I fly back to Heathrow, then on to a Scottish airport I will have different arrangements. How can that be?

Simply because Public Health is a devolved matter so the government in Edinburgh can have different rules than London. Same as regional governments in other countries have different rules on entry requirements,  restriction on businesses and mask wearing. Tenerife has different rules to mainland Spain.

y3sitsm3

silvercar said:

Dr_Crypto said:

silvercar said:

unforeseen said:

I note that the 'experts' on TV keep mentioning that the PCR tests need to stay for gene sequencing, even though only about 5% are actually tested .

Fine, let them stay but make them free if that is what they are wanted for. 

 Nothing is ever free, someone is paying. If you choose to travel, why shouldn’t you pay? Why should the rest of us taxpayers pay?

I’ve had 2 holidays in the last year, I think it totally reasonable that I pay for the associated tests.

Why? They’re giving out LFTs for free to attendees at festivals. It’s ok for kids to get !!!!!! in a tent (crack on, enjoy life) and get a free test but if you dare to travel you’re a wastrel who should be charged to the max? 

No, it's not if I "dare to travel", it is if I choose to travel then part of the costs are covid testing and I should factor that in to my budget. 

Sorry, I didn't realise people were forced to go to music festivals.