Day 2 PCR over Christmas

Marty06

I booked a day 2 PCR test with Qured for return into UK on Dec 30. But they just emailed to say Royal Mail and Amazon would not be delivering any tests Dec 24 to Jan 3. I asked if they could send test before this window, They said they are not legally allowed to send the test until Day 0. So they can’t actually mail the Day 2 test until Jan 3 i.e. Day 4….so really they cannot provide day 2 testing during this period. Yet strangely they have not offered me a refund for a service they can’t actually provide. Their site is also taking bookings for Day  2 tests during this window, which I don’t understand if they can’t get them to people in time…. Has anyone else had this info from other providers? I had assumed that if you booked in good time they would dispatch the test to arrive to account for mail non delivery days. But seems like if Day zero falls on a holiday they can’t get the test to you in time….Are other test companies saying they can’t do tests over Christmas? Is anyone arriving in this period just relying on in person PCR tests?

Pixie5740

Marty06 said:

I booked a day 2 PCR test with Qured for return into UK on Dec 30. But they just emailed to say Royal Mail and Amazon would not be delivering any tests Dec 24 to Jan 3. I asked if they could send test before this window, They said they are not legally allowed to send the test until Day 0. So they can’t actually mail the Day 2 test until Jan 3 i.e. Day 4….so really they cannot provide day 2 testing during this period. Yet strangely they have not offered me a refund for a service they can’t actually provide. Their site is also taking bookings for Day  2 tests during this window, which I don’t understand if they can’t get them to people in time…. Has anyone else had this info from other providers? I had assumed that if you booked in good time they would dispatch the test to arrive to account for mail non delivery days. But seems like if Day zero falls on a holiday they can’t get the test to you in time….Are other test companies saying they can’t do tests over Christmas? Is anyone arriving in this period just relying on in person PCR tests?

I’m arriving in the UK and I’m having a PCR test when I arrive in Heathrow whilst I wait for my connecting flight.  Depending on where you’re arriving I’d be tested at the airport. 

I did look at the at home tests. I found that the providers of these tests ask for you arrival date into the UK and you need to be home to receive the test. I’m not sure if it had to be you or someone else in the household that accepts delivery. 

silvercar

“Not legally allowed to send the test until day zero”

rubbish! That may be the rule for test to release for day 5 tests, but certainly doesn’t apply to day 2 tests where you can take them on day 0.

The work around is to give an earlier date for you arrival back in the UK. Once you have the test you can take it when you want after arrival. The provider doesn’t even need to know when you arrived.

Marty06

So you don't think there would be any problem with the reporting of the test if you give the wrong arrival date (i.e. the date you give now would not somehow get into the system and be reported to the Government)? I mean if I ordered one for arrival next week, they'd send it out in time, and then I could use it when I actually get back?

Their delivery instructions are confusing, since they say: 

"PCR Day 2 tests typically delivers within 1-2 working days (2-3 days in the north of Scotland or in the Scottish Highlands and Islands). Same day dispatch if you order before 1:30pm." 

BUT then later on it says

"Please note that Day 2 tests ordered with Standard Delivery will be sent to you on the day before your arrival."

So the first statement says they will send them to you as soon as you order them, but the second says they won't send them until the day you arrive back in the country.

This is what their customer service said to me: 

"The day you arrive counts as Day 0 meaning that your Day 2 test will be dispatched on your arrival date.

We are not legally permitted to send these tests out for delivery before the date that the sample is to be taken, the DHSC prohibits this, and therefore cannot mitigate for delivery delays."


Another confusion is in their FAQs about Day 2 PCR tests they say this: 
"PCR test results over Christmas are possible, as our lab operates 24/7, 365 days a year, depending on when you return your test to the lab. Tests returned using Standard Delivery (Royal Mail return envelope) will be subject to delays due to Royal Mail closures.The last date to return your Standard Delivery tests is Wednesday, 22nd December."

This is also confusing. FIrst, in this answer they are only talking about delays to returning, not receiving the tests. Second, even then the statement is internally contradictory. It says testing is possible over Christmas, but then says that the last date you can return a test is Dec 22. Which means it is not possible over Christmas. They go on to say you should use their courier service during Christmas, but this is only available within the M25.

Elsewhere they say this about Christmas testing:

• Day 2 PCR tests with an arrival date between 20th December and 3rd January are unavailable due to postal closures.

So this seems to mean they cannot offer a Day 2 PCR testing service for any one arriving in the UK between Dec 20 and Jan 3. But this is odd because the mail service is not closed during this whole time. Also, why are they offering bookings for PCR Day 2 tests during this time? Why are they not contacting people who've booked a Day 2 test with them and offering a refund?

  

onashoestring

I would suggest informing the Gov via the e-Mail below about these conflicting statements that this provider is giving you and that they won’t refund you  - The gov.uk website says

“If you’ve ordered tests and there’s a problem. 

You can make a complaint about a test provider.

https://enquiries.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/s/enquiries “

The Gov have reviewed and removed dozens of companies from the list because they failed to provide the standard that was required and made other companies make their T&Cs clearer and fairer.

silvercar

Many regular travellers order tests well ahead so they have then at home ready for unexoected trips. Also people do change their arrangements and holiday plans. There is nothing stopping you stocking up on tests. I wouldn’t worry about what date you give your supplier, also some people want to take the test on landing and post back before they make their journey home or before a connecting flight.
Randox say they post out when you buy, so date of travel makes no difference. Maybe choose a different supplier in the future!

Saria

I ordered with Randox before and they sent the tests out after ordering, so they arrived before they were needed. I am now looking to order with them again today (click and collect this time), even though I don't need them until December 30. I just want to make sure that we have the test for peace of mind. 

RoisinDove

Yes, it's so incredibly irritating how unclear it is. I don't understand why they even ask you for your flight details - how is it any of their business? I want to order tests in advance so I have them waiting at home and can book last minute trips without the faff and worry over whether the Day 2 test will arrive on time or not and likewise, I want to take the LFT with me to ensure I don't need to faff about trying to find a provider abroad. I can go off on holiday knowing the tests are all sorted and in my possession. 

I don't understand why they make it so bloody confusing. 

chamelion

Just reading this to see if people had any alternative advice as my kits fall over the blackout too. 

When I ordered on amazon they didn't ask for any flight details or anything personal. I could get it delivered tomorrow no questions asked. Not sure why you're seeing issues!

sheramber

RoisinDove said:

Yes, it's so incredibly irritating how unclear it is. I don't understand why they even ask you for your flight details - how is it any of their business? I want to order tests in advance so I have them waiting at home and can book last minute trips without the faff and worry over whether the Day 2 test will arrive on time or not and likewise, I want to take the LFT with me to ensure I don't need to faff about trying to find a provider abroad. I can go off on holiday knowing the tests are all sorted and in my possession. 

I don't understand why they make it so bloody confusing. 

The flight details are so, if a test is positive they can contact those who were on that  flight.

eskbanker

sheramber said:

RoisinDove said:

Yes, it's so incredibly irritating how unclear it is. I don't understand why they even ask you for your flight details - how is it any of their business? I want to order tests in advance so I have them waiting at home and can book last minute trips without the faff and worry over whether the Day 2 test will arrive on time or not and likewise, I want to take the LFT with me to ensure I don't need to faff about trying to find a provider abroad. I can go off on holiday knowing the tests are all sorted and in my possession. 

I don't understand why they make it so bloody confusing. 

The flight details are so, if a test is positive they can contact those who were on that  flight.

Surely that contact process will be driven off PLF data rather than information held by test providers?