So from what I can make out entry into the UK tests will be finished in October for double jabbed people and the day 2 test will be a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test. As far as I'm aware you can get lateral flow tests from multiple places for free so why will there be a £30 fee to take one and who will police this?
The free ones are free because they are there to provide tests for everyday life etc. holidays are classed along the lines as extra pleasure so the free ones shouldn’t be used. ive no idea how it will be managed
I would imagine the test strip identifiers (which you have to provide with the results) allow it to be traced back to the supplier, and therefore can distinguish between NHS and paid-for.
Please take my advice and do NOT leave the country until restrictions are eased. I have just had living hell on what was supposed to be a pleasurable 4 day trip, with my mates, to Portugal. I finished up having to stay an extra two days, and even just now, have got back from having to drive to Woolley South Services to post my Day 2 ‘Randox’ antigen test!!! Tomorrow, I am taking my passport to work and shredding it as I shall not be needing that again!!!!!
If you don’t mind me asking, why’d you have to stay an extra 2 days. We’re off to Portugal on Friday for 10 nights.
Don't have one. Father in law just spent an extra 10 nights isolating in a hotel room in (Al-coo- dear) in correct spelling. Cost him 700 quid plus new flights.
To be fair, mate, don’t let my angry knee jerk comments put you off. The actual problem was me and my all round lack of technology know how and it’s actually put me off having only just discovered that, without a smart phone, you cannot survive, and with one, it ruins your life. Basically, my fault, but I took my day 2 test, which without, you cannot complete your passenger locator form (which, without, you cannot come home) once I tested clear, I uploaded my result (this was via a company called Chronomics) but got my email address wrong by entering one wrong digit!!! Tried ringing them, but it is one of them companies that doesn’t employ people, just robots. Tried emailing them and got the generic ‘we are busy and will reply when we can reply’, so day two came and went and I was stranded.
Ok, I see. It was the test 2 days before return we were dreading to be honest. Don’t think we’ll need to do one now though as we fly home at 12.15 on 4th October when the rules change at 04.00 on same day. Unless someone tells us different…..hope not!
Is it 2 days before you return or just day 2? Either way, it was the same day for me as I planned to be there for four days. You can get one in a chemist, there, for €25, though it’s not a take away diy kit, they do it in the chemist then you have to hang around for your result. Be warned, however, this isn’t just a walk in service, you have to pre-book, though as you only pay when you take your test, you could, if unsure, book them for peace of mind and just cancel without charge, if you get clarification before then. As I say, though, don’t let my experience cast any doubt in your mind. It is purely down to me being a bloke who prefers a Nokia 3310 rather than an iPhone. But do allow three hours, not two, for checking in when you return home, assuming it’s Faro airport. Enjoy your trip.
Landed last night from Greece and posted our 2 day return PCR tests earlier this afternoon at a cost of £55 each , The 2 day before return test was done in a doctors surgery and the results were emailed to us within the hour €20 The sooner they are scrapped the better
We’ve already bought the antigen tests to do before we go and before we return (just taking them with us). Like I say, just hoping now that we don’t need the test before flying home. Got 2 PCR test kits being sent out to us
We're going to Madeira in November, first trip abroad since November 2019, not looking forward to 4 hours with a mask on....