What to do if you can’t do a COVID test on return from holiday

jdvhsully

On behalf of my daughter, who currently has COVID and is going to Disneyland Paris for New Year.
When she returns she is supposed to do a PCR test, but as it is before 90 days have passed since she has had it, she is going to get a positive result regardless. 

She has looked on the government websites but there doesn’t seem to be an answer to her problem, as they say she has to take the test.
Any ideas on what to do?

onashoestring

Having recovered from Covid in last 90 days is not an exemption from taking the Day 2 PCR test which is still must be taken at present.

However, the new UK rules will be reviewed in 3 weeks so may have changed by the time of your daughter’s trip.

Although you can still test positive within 90 days of infection, this is just a possibility and not always the case.

Worse case scenario, the rules still apply, your daughter has a lovely holiday, takes the test on return,  the test comes back positive and she has to isolate for 10 days .

If this possibility means that you would rather she didn’t travel,  you could buy  a PCR test for her to take prior to the trip and see if the result comes back positive or not and then you will have the information to decide whether she should go or not.

J_B

I had Covid on 24/7 and tested negative on my return from travel (PCR) at the beginning of October

CKhalvashi

Under the current rules there is no exception to a day 2 PCR test in these circumstances.

She will not necessarily test positive, simply may. She must isolate immediately on return at home and continue to do so until either a negative test result is returned or for 10 days from a positive test on return assuming fully vaccinated. If not fully vaccinated, different rules will apply which I can explain if necessary.

unforeseen

Not forgetting that she will also need a PCR or antigen test 48 hours before going

CKhalvashi

unforeseen said:

Not forgetting that she will also need a PCR or antigen test 48 hours before going

Yes, my post refers only to entering the UK, not entering France.

soolin

With the just released requirement to do a test 2 days before returning home I would certainly recommend OP has a plan B in case that test comes back positive and the daughter is not allowed to travel home. 

onashoestring

The test before you return to UK can be a LFT which is less likely to show positive following Covid recovery than a PCR .

You can easily use a NHS LF home test kit to check before the holiday ( not accepted as a test for return as you need a certified result ) but it will take out any worry about being stuck in France before undertaking the trip .

sheramber

I read earlier that the PCR test was still necessary to allow for testing to check if it is the new variant.

But if it is not, NHS will know from your records that you have recently recovered from covid and will be able to advise that further isolation os not necessary.

I do not know if that is correct and is happening/

CKhalvashi

sheramber said:

I read earlier that the PCR test was still necessary to allow for testing to check if it is the new variant.

But if it is not, NHS will know from your records that you have recently recovered from covid and will be able to advise that further isolation os not necessary.

I do not know if that is correct and is happening/

A positive test will result in an isolation period. It is a criminal offence to leave isolation without a negative day 2 test or before 10 days have passed since a positive test, where day 0 is the day of test.

jdvhsully

Thank you for your help. I have let my daughter know what has been said, and it’s now up to her to decide what to do.