Pre-departure tests likely to go in the next few days

michael1234

With almost everyone likely to be infected with omicron over the next few weeks, I wonder what purpose any of the tests serve except to keep critical workers off work.

soolin

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

I’m in the Canaries and waiting for an update, lateral flow tests here before departure are £35 each and my PCR test (already bought and paid for) back in the UK was £45 , so  little difference really in cost. 

michael1234

soolin said:

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

I’m in the Canaries and waiting for an update, lateral flow tests here before departure are £35 each and my PCR test (already bought and paid for) back in the UK was £45 , so  little difference really in cost. 

Yes but how much would it cost you if your £35 test came up positive ?

emmajones1976

soolin said:

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

I’m in the Canaries and waiting for an update, lateral flow tests here before departure are £35 each and my PCR test (already bought and paid for) back in the UK was £45 , so  little difference really in cost. 

Mine cost £19 (Chronomics), and went in my suitcase with me. The benefit of planning ahead and not having to rely on more expensive ones at your destination.

soolin

michael1234 said:

soolin said:

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

I’m in the Canaries and waiting for an update, lateral flow tests here before departure are £35 each and my PCR test (already bought and paid for) back in the UK was £45 , so  little difference really in cost. 

Yes but how much would it cost you if your £35 test came up positive ?

Obviously I would have to follow any current Spanish quarantine rules , that doesn’t affect the £35 I need to pay though (assuming the LFT requirement isn’t lifted before I return. ) 

michael1234

soolin said:

michael1234 said:

soolin said:

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

I’m in the Canaries and waiting for an update, lateral flow tests here before departure are £35 each and my PCR test (already bought and paid for) back in the UK was £45 , so  little difference really in cost. 

Yes but how much would it cost you if your £35 test came up positive ?

Obviously I would have to follow any current Spanish quarantine rules , that doesn’t affect the £35 I need to pay though (assuming the LFT requirement isn’t lifted before I return. ) 

Indeed. Well I certainly hope you don't show positive and hopefully you got my point that having pre-dept tests could cost hundreds or thousands of pounds so its not just the face value of the test. At least the day 2 PCR is more of a known quantity. (even if possibly pointless in an omicron context where virtually everyone is likely to catch it in the coming few weeks)

silvercar

michael1234 said:

soolin said:

michael1234 said:

soolin said:

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

I’m in the Canaries and waiting for an update, lateral flow tests here before departure are £35 each and my PCR test (already bought and paid for) back in the UK was £45 , so  little difference really in cost. 

Yes but how much would it cost you if your £35 test came up positive ?

Obviously I would have to follow any current Spanish quarantine rules , that doesn’t affect the £35 I need to pay though (assuming the LFT requirement isn’t lifted before I return. ) 

Indeed. Well I certainly hope you don't show positive and hopefully you got my point that having pre-dept tests could cost hundreds or thousands of pounds so its not just the face value of the test. At least the day 2 PCR is more of a known quantity. (even if possibly pointless in an omicron context where virtually everyone is likely to catch it in the coming few weeks)

You would hope that  a positive pre-flight test would be a claim on insurance. You seem to be suggesting it is better that people fly with omicron and risk infecting fellow flyers and in turn their contacts, than take a relatively cheap test.

The other point you are making is that virtually everyone is likely to catch it in the next few weeks, that is unlikely to be true. I expect numbers either have peaked or soon will do and we will see less infections over the coming weeks.

cx6

Boris just announced will end 0400 Friday see BBC news website

Pre-departure tests scrapped - PM

The PM confirms that pre-departure travel Covid tests to enter England from overseas will be scrapped from 04:00 on Friday.

He also says he is lifting the requirement to self-isolate on arrival in England until receiving a negative PCR test result.

Instead people can take a lateral flow test on day two - and if it's positive a further PCR test will be needed to identify any new variants, plus isolation as normal.

Doshwaster

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

The problem with the pre-departure tests wasn't the cost but the risk of having to pay for quarantine at your holiday destination and possible loss of earnings. At least if you tested positive after returning you'd be able to isolate at home.

With Omicron so widespread in the UK trying to prevent a few more cases coming in from abroad was pointless.

michael1234

silvercar said:

michael1234 said:

soolin said:

michael1234 said:

soolin said:

emmajones1976 said:

Its more the £55/£69 ones on return I would rather see binned tbh, the pre-departure ones are a fraction of the cost of that.

I’m in the Canaries and waiting for an update, lateral flow tests here before departure are £35 each and my PCR test (already bought and paid for) back in the UK was £45 , so  little difference really in cost. 

Yes but how much would it cost you if your £35 test came up positive ?

Obviously I would have to follow any current Spanish quarantine rules , that doesn’t affect the £35 I need to pay though (assuming the LFT requirement isn’t lifted before I return. ) 

Indeed. Well I certainly hope you don't show positive and hopefully you got my point that having pre-dept tests could cost hundreds or thousands of pounds so its not just the face value of the test. At least the day 2 PCR is more of a known quantity. (even if possibly pointless in an omicron context where virtually everyone is likely to catch it in the coming few weeks)

You would hope that  a positive pre-flight test would be a claim on insurance. You seem to be suggesting it is better that people fly with omicron and risk infecting fellow flyers and in turn their contacts, than take a relatively cheap test.

The other point you are making is that virtually everyone is likely to catch it in the next few weeks, that is unlikely to be true. I expect numbers either have peaked or soon will do and we will see less infections over the coming weeks.

Yes fair point about insurance - mandatory insurance is maybe another option? The point about knowingly travelling with omicron at face value seems a very strong one. Presumably though that is exactly the result of removing the pre-testing?