Arrivals to UK need a Covid test before travelling.

silvercar

Butts said:

Why don't they "Cut out the middleman" and just insist you have a PCR Test before coming back hence negating the need for a LF before travelling and another PCR one virtually when you get here.

At least this would simplify the process and involve only one test.

Some countries don’t have the facilities to provide very quick results on tests. Even in the USA you will struggle to get a PCR result within 48 hours unless you are in major cities with high international travel.

SusieT

They should have done it last week at the same time they announced the isolation, or said from Wednesday morning. The way they have done it with today being a Sunday and most testing places abroad closed will make it difficult for anyone with a longer journey who have to leave before tomorrow morning to comply since they will have not been able to plan for testing. 

onashoestring

Butts said:

Why don't they "Cut out the middleman" and just insist you have a PCR Test before coming back hence negating the need for a LF before travelling and another PCR one virtually when you get here.

At least this would simplify the process and involve only one test.

That makes complete sense, but how many countries have the facilities to offer PCR with quick turnaround times . If this is implemented I can see lots of people stuck abroad without accommodation, having missed their flights because their test results weren’t received in time.

CKhalvashi

Butts said:

Why don't they "Cut out the middleman" and just insist you have a PCR Test before coming back hence negating the need for a LF before travelling and another PCR one virtually when you get here.

At least this would simplify the process and involve only one test.

That would be virtually impossible in many cases due to local lab turnaround times.

Ukraine has been the best for turnaround times of PCR tests for me, always returning the same day (I use one specific company with their own lab facilities). The UK hasn't come far behind always returning within 24 hours (Again, I use one specific company).

In many countries (including most of the EU) I wouldn't be sure on a PCR test coming back within 24 hours and would much rather take an antigen if required before a full PCR on my return.

There is also a risk with the UK looking specifically for variants that these may not be picked up in international labs.

The priority for me at least is to ensure borders remain as open as possible (as is in my own financial interests and in the interests both mentally and for family relations for many in the UK). 2 tests as far as I'm concerned does this.

Butts

unforeseen said:

Butts said:

Why don't they "Cut out the middleman" and just insist you have a PCR Test before coming back hence negating the need for a LF before travelling and another PCR one virtually when you get here.

At least this would simplify the process and involve only one test.

There will still be 2 tests. One for each country that you are entering

Not all Countries require a "test in" - I am currently in Albania and can confirm no test and refreshingly no PLF to enter, Also they didn't check my vaccination status on entry. Disappointingly no "Double Eagle" in my Passport either, it was not stamped. They certainly have a very relaxed attitude to mask wearing here - ie virtually non-existent. 

Returning to the UK today then off to Turkey shortly which at the time of writing requires no inward test either.

CKhalvashi

Butts said:

unforeseen said:

Butts said:

Why don't they "Cut out the middleman" and just insist you have a PCR Test before coming back hence negating the need for a LF before travelling and another PCR one virtually when you get here.

At least this would simplify the process and involve only one test.

There will still be 2 tests. One for each country that you are entering

Not all Countries require a "test in" - I am currently in Albania and can confirm no test and refreshingly no PLF to enter, Also they didn't check my vaccination status on entry. Disappointingly no "Double Eagle" in my Passport either, it was not stamped. They certainly have a very relaxed attitude to mask wearing here - ie virtually non-existent. 

Returning to the UK today then off to Turkey shortly which at the time of writing requires no inward test either.

It was the same in the South last summer, although rates in general were low.

Most countries don't require a test in, but I believe this will be changing over the next days and weeks.

michael1234

CKhalvashi said:

Butts said:

Why don't they "Cut out the middleman" and just insist you have a PCR Test before coming back hence negating the need for a LF before travelling and another PCR one virtually when you get here.

At least this would simplify the process and involve only one test.

That would be virtually impossible in many cases due to local lab turnaround times.

Ukraine has been the best for turnaround times of PCR tests for me, always returning the same day (I use one specific company with their own lab facilities). The UK hasn't come far behind always returning within 24 hours (Again, I use one specific company).

In many countries (including most of the EU) I wouldn't be sure on a PCR test coming back within 24 hours and would much rather take an antigen if required before a full PCR on my return.

There is also a risk with the UK looking specifically for variants that these may not be picked up in international labs.

The priority for me at least is to ensure borders remain as open as possible (as is in my own financial interests and in the interests both mentally and for family relations for many in the UK). 2 tests as far as I'm concerned does this.

Which companies out of interest? I normally use Dila in the Ukraine and they are fast and God forbid I caught it in a bad way we use Dobrobut hospital.

CKhalvashi

michael1234 said:

CKhalvashi said:

Butts said:

Why don't they "Cut out the middleman" and just insist you have a PCR Test before coming back hence negating the need for a LF before travelling and another PCR one virtually when you get here.

At least this would simplify the process and involve only one test.

That would be virtually impossible in many cases due to local lab turnaround times.

Ukraine has been the best for turnaround times of PCR tests for me, always returning the same day (I use one specific company with their own lab facilities). The UK hasn't come far behind always returning within 24 hours (Again, I use one specific company).

In many countries (including most of the EU) I wouldn't be sure on a PCR test coming back within 24 hours and would much rather take an antigen if required before a full PCR on my return.

There is also a risk with the UK looking specifically for variants that these may not be picked up in international labs.

The priority for me at least is to ensure borders remain as open as possible (as is in my own financial interests and in the interests both mentally and for family relations for many in the UK). 2 tests as far as I'm concerned does this.

Which companies out of interest? I normally use Dila in the Ukraine and they are fast and God forbid I caught it in a bad way we use Dobrobut hospital.

Unilab (they're in Lviv which is typically where I choose to base myself).

I've used Esculab on 1 occasion for antigen and was equally impressed.

No PCR tests required now for entry (fully vaccinated) so with the latest 'Red zone' changes the times may be longer.

If you're coming back by road again I can tell you where to get a test for 250UAH (not used, just seen on my last visit last month) in Lviv, but if flying from LWO it's not far from the airport in any event.

mar7t1n

Testing of return travellers is fairly pointless. A lot of people are selfish, otherwise we'd all have given up foreign travel already to save the planet. It's human nature to just want to get back home. So travellers will do anything they need to in order to provide a negative test certificate, which in this case is swab fresh air. If you are safe to travel out, you are safe to come back if within 10 days is the most pragmatic approach. Applying your own mini quarantine and keeping away from people before, after and during your trip is what we all need to be doing.

onashoestring

mar7t1n said:

Testing of return travellers is fairly pointless. A lot of people are selfish, otherwise we'd all have given up foreign travel already to save the planet. It's human nature to just want to get back home. So travellers will do anything they need to in order to provide a negative test certificate, which in this case is swab fresh air. If you are safe to travel out, you are safe to come back if within 10 days is the most pragmatic approach. Applying your own mini quarantine and keeping away from people before, after and during your trip is what we all need to be doing.

A swab of fresh air will give you a void or inconclusive test result - not a negative test.
It will not be accepted for boarding a flight.