Self administered antigen tests with a certificate validity

chamelion

Hi all,

I'm seeing the new rules for travel to France on https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918#t1-Travelling-from-the-UK-to-France

It says "From 4 December, fully vaccinated travellers (12 years old or more), and whatever their nationality, have to provide the result of a negative PCR or antigen test (in paper or digital format) carried out less than 48h hours prior to departure. Self-administred tests, whose results are not certified by a laboratory (e.g.: tests provided free of charge by the NHS) are not considered valid for travel.".

The wording is a bit unclear - can i take a self administered test via chronomics for eg, which you also get a certification via email to validate the result? Or is it you can't take any self administered tests at all - which is also difficult to validate as the certificate does not say whether you tested at home or at a test centre!

Thanks

From 4 December, fully vaccinated travellers (12 years old or more), and whatever their nationality, have to provide the result of a negative PCR or antigen test (in paper or digital format) carried out less than 48h hours prior to departure. Self-administred tests, whose results are not certified by a laboratory (e.g.: tests provided free of charge by the NHS) are not considered valid for travel.

CKhalvashi

You must use a certified test, which I would assume to be a professionally administered test such as those by Collinson. 

Other tests are not acceptable to reduce the risk of fraud.

Soot2006

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements

On the entry requirements on that page, it says "self administered tests are not accepted" without any explanation or detail. I have decided to use a drive-thru testing centre for my pre-France test, as can't take the risk of being denied boarding.

From 00:00 CET 4 December (23:00 GMT 3 December), fully vaccinated travellers (aged 12 years or over) travelling from outside of the European Union to France must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result from either a PCR or antigen test. Tests must be taken no more than 48 hours before travel for vaccinated travellers and no more than 24 hours before travel for those who are not fully vaccinated. Self-administered tests are not accepted. HGV and van drivers arriving in France from the UK are not required to provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter France. Consult the French Embassy in the UK website and the French government’s website for further information. We will update these pages as soon as further details are confirmed.

If we hadn't Brexited, then we'd only need  proof of vaccination.

I feel like I need a day off work just to figure out all the forms and documents and tests I need.

mrmajika

The consensus on other travel forums seems to be that self administered tests which are certified by a laboratory are absolutely fine to use. Indeed, several travelers have confirmed no issues entering France yesterday with such tests. 

chamelion

Any idea what the rule is if driving into France from, for example, Italy? Italy itself has no self administered restrictions, so it'd be a road border crossing rather than direct journey to France from the UK?

Soot2006

mrmajika said:

The consensus on other travel forums seems to be that self administered tests which are certified by a laboratory are absolutely fine to use. Indeed, several travelers have confirmed no issues entering France yesterday with such tests. 

Thanks that is helpful.

There is just so much conflicting information about.  A fun additional stress, like a mini IQ test before travel lol.

So, something like this would be OK for entry into France?

I am not on any other forums, so welcome any help!
https://www.chronomics.com/fit-to-fly-antigen

jimi_man

Yes that's fine. Or you can try Simply Test Me, they are slightly cheaper. I've used them before. £12 for a LFT (may be slightly more as they charge for tracked postage now). You'll also need one to come back into the UK so take one with you.

The guidance just means that you can't use the NHS free tests. But you don't need to go to a Drivethru or a testing station.

chamelion

jimi_man said:

Yes that's fine. Or you can try Simply Test Me, they are slightly cheaper. I've used them before. £12 for a LFT (may be slightly more as they charge for tracked postage now). You'll also need one to come back into the UK so take one with you.

The guidance just means that you can't use the NHS free tests. But you don't need to go to a Drivethru or a testing station.

15.60 now but still cheapest I've seen for provider with good reviews. Wonder why mse master list does not have them?

chamelion

chamelion said:

jimi_man said:

Yes that's fine. Or you can try Simply Test Me, they are slightly cheaper. I've used them before. £12 for a LFT (may be slightly more as they charge for tracked postage now). You'll also need one to come back into the UK so take one with you.

The guidance just means that you can't use the NHS free tests. But you don't need to go to a Drivethru or a testing station.

15.60 now but still cheapest I've seen for provider with good reviews. Wonder why mse master list does not have them?

Edit: their website is a mess for lateral flow. I'm seeing multiple prices for multiple products that are the same thing, but one of which is inexplicably suspended despite being the identical test.

jimi_man

chamelion said:

chamelion said:

jimi_man said:

Yes that's fine. Or you can try Simply Test Me, they are slightly cheaper. I've used them before. £12 for a LFT (may be slightly more as they charge for tracked postage now). You'll also need one to come back into the UK so take one with you.

The guidance just means that you can't use the NHS free tests. But you don't need to go to a Drivethru or a testing station.

15.60 now but still cheapest I've seen for provider with good reviews. Wonder why mse master list does not have them?

Edit: their website is a mess for lateral flow. I'm seeing multiple prices for multiple products that are the same thing, but one of which is inexplicably suspended despite being the identical test.

Yes I have no complaints about them. I've still got some of the £12 tests so they'll be useful to take with me to do my return home test. Just had a look at the website and it is a bit of a mess. Annoying that they've stopped the £12 ones, not sure why?

Expensive for the Day 2 PCR though. I use Eurofins. £39 (less with a code) at the Heathrow drivethrough and you get the result back the same day if you test before around midday. 

KP20

Jumping on this thread for my own advice, does anyone know if the Randox at-home antigen tests would count? I believe it's a similar set up to Chronomics above where you take a picture of your test and then it's 'verified'