Test & Trace - lack of info

Sandtree

Just received the damned "you've been exposed email", go online and says dont have to self isolate (vaccinated) but should avoid any unnecessary contact and do daily LFT until Monday. There is a link which says "if you think you have received this in error" but...

1) Some information about where or when I was exposed would be really helpful
2) Any guidance on where to get the lateral flow tests? Are they sending them automatically? Will they get here in time?
3) If you click the link the NHS site brings up nothing about what to do in an error

I assumed that given the LFT are done for 7 days from exposure that meant I was exposed on Monday but I didnt leave home on monday and currently living alone as Mrs is abroad.

One plus point, the T&T team have been quick at reply but they say actually it means the exposure was the prior Friday which is the date of my return to the UK from 4 months abroad. Didnt say if it was on the flight or at the airport but are they really pinging the whole of Gatwick North for a day or several hours of day and if it was on the flight hows it taken so long gven the day 2 tests etc?

They also said the website and email was wrong and its only until Saturday that I should avoid contact... still no comment on where I am supposed to get the LFT from but seems even less likely to happen given just today/tomorrow to go.

Maybe this should have gone into the rant section but there are technically a couple of question marks and not just exclamations. 

emmajones1976

It was probably from the flight, wont have been from the airport as people will have been in the airport who wont have details registered anywhere.

I had a similar text after getting off a flight from the Canaries but it only took 2 days, not 7. 
As for why its taken so long, could just be the infected person landed Friday, didnt do the lateral flow test until Sunday, was positive, couldnt get into a test centre until Tuesday, and took until Thursday for the PCR results to come back. All takes time.

As an aside, pretty sure the suggestion for you to do a test will be advisory, they cant hold you to it.  You get them from pharmacies or you can order a box online but they wont get there until start of next week.

sheramber

 There you go
https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

MaryNB

Order lateral flow tests here:

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

A box contains 7 tests. You can order only one box per day so if you want a few for after the first 7 days you'll have to order another box another day 

They'll arrive usually within a day or two. Or you can get a code and pick them up from a pharmacy. A code doesn't reserve a box of tests, you won't get one if they're out of stock but you can try the code at other pharmacies offering the service.

If none are available via the website check again a few hours later. During times of high demand I generally had better luck ordering in the morning.

You can also check your local council website. My council has a list of all the local collection points not already covered on gov.uk.

katejo

MaryNB said:

Order lateral flow tests here:

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

A box contains 7 tests. You can order only one box per day so if you want a few for after the first 7 days you'll have to order another box another day 

They'll arrive usually within a day or two. Or you can get a code and pick them up from a pharmacy. A code doesn't reserve a box of tests, you won't get one if they're out of stock but you can try the code at other pharmacies offering the service.

If none are available via the website check again a few hours later. During times of high demand I generally had better luck ordering in the morning.

You can also check your local council website. My council has a list of all the local collection points not already covered on gov.uk.

I haven't ordered any online at all. Just went to the local lateral flow test centre and picked them up there. Last time I got a box of 20, not just 7.

onashoestring

They got your e-mail from the passenger locator form you submitted prior to your flight . Someone on your flight has tested positive and that is what the information on the PLF is for so they can advise the other passengers that they are a close contact. 

Always good to keep a pack of tests at home for precisely this scenario. I have ordered mine online and they were delivered the next day.  I   have in the past also picked up some from the pharmacy. I don’t test regularly as I work from home, but I test before visiting family who are vulnerable and keep 1 pack in the cupboard just in case I am a close contact and am advised to do the daily test.