Using pre-departure PCR test for your 2 day after return test

Troytempest

Butts said:

brianposter said:

Dr_Crypto said:

The sequencing that isn’t being done? Under 5% of positive tests had it performed. 

I am not sure that this is inappropriate. If and when a variant of concern appears they can gear up the sequencing.

Why is no one else in Europe doing it if it's that important - insisting on testing of returned vaccinated citizens 

Exactly - waste of time.

brianposter

Butts said:

Why is no one else in Europe doing it if it's that important - insisting on testing of returned vaccinated citizens 

For individual countries it is pretty pointless as their land boundaries are far more important, and for the whole EU they do not have the sequencing capacity.

Butts

brianposter said:

Butts said:

Why is no one else in Europe doing it if it's that important - insisting on testing of returned vaccinated citizens 

For individual countries it is pretty pointless as their land boundaries are far more important, and for the whole EU they do not have the sequencing capacity.

And it does not seem to affecting their rates of infection in an adverse manner !!

brianposter

Butts said:

And it does not seem to affecting their rates of infection in an adverse manner !!

The new variant has not arrived yet.

ScoobyZ

ticktock10 said:

Hi everyone, does anyone know if you can use a PCR test which was ordered to comply with the (current) pre-departure test required within 72hrs before you return to the UK for different travel test requirements? Now the rules are changing, I no longer need to do a pre-departure test, but i'd already bought the test so can I now use that as my test 2 days after I return to the UK (which apparently also can be a PCR test), or are the tests different/registered as being for specific purposes only? 

I am in the same position now Turkey have changed the rules and dealing with Randox. Randox wont give a ref number to use as a day 2.

You could try and use your Pre-Flight PCR for day 2 as PCR. I have completed a test form and it takes the number OK.

The gov might not pick it up, but on passenger locater form put in RANDX_ _ _ _ _ _ _ then I would suggest your order number (7 digits). If you are challenged you can send a certificate showing you had a PCR test on day 2.

Hopefully by the end of the month the the min requirement might only be a lateral flow anyway.

The requirement is for a day 2 test and you will have proof that you did one. 

I have contacted also contacted Randox customer services to see what they say, but I am not holding my breath.

I'm not sure whether to do the above or keep and have a winter break  to Amsterdam or Egypt

onashoestring

You can use any provider for the Day 2 test as long as the provider meets the UK Gov requirements which  for a Day 2 test include Genome sequencing and that the provider has to report to PHE the following details :

• data required to be reported under public health legislation
• the date of your arrival in the UK

• Your flight number 
• the date on which you last departed from or transited through a country or territory outside the common travel area
• the country or territory they were travelling from when they arrived in the UK, and any country or territory they transited through as part of that journey 
• COVID-19 vaccination status
• the purpose of the test – this must include whether the test was for a non-exempt amber, exempt amber or green list arrival and whether the test was for day 2, day 8 or Test to Release
• passport number or travel document reference number

If your supplier is not set up to collect this information from you for the test you purchased then they can’t report on  it - which is why they legally can’t sell it to you as a Day 2 test and why you can’t use it as a Day 2 test. This is why the PCR tests are not automatically interchangeable. 

Full requirements for providers here : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/testing-on-day-2-and-day-8-for-international-arrivals