The first thing holidaymakers should probably do is check to see what deals their airline, holiday company or airport are offering.
BEST COVID RAPID TEST HOW TO
Photograph: Robin Utrecht/REX/Shutterstock How to choose But in both cases there are hundreds of firms listed, and the government has been quick to say that it doesn’t endorse or recommend any specific provider and can’t help people with any problems that they might have.Īn in-clinic appointment may be the way to go if you are worried about the possibility of delays to postal or courier services for your test. There is also a more useful list of providers of day two and day eight tests – at gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider – which lets you search by testing method, location and price. A general list just provides names, contact details and where they operate. The government publishes two lists of providers. That all makes it very difficult to authoritatively say which are the “best” providers. Plus, if it’s a home test kit, you will be dependent on the reliability of whoever is transporting it. That means prices fluctuate and that firms that have plenty of capacity today might run out of stock next week. The obvious problem for consumers trying to choose a test provider is that this is a very new market that’s trying to respond to a rapidly changing situation. Photograph: Tayfun Salcı/ZUMA Wire/Rex/Shutterstock The providers Many high-street pharmacies offer PCR swab tests. When it comes to rapid antigen tests, these will often cost under £40, and it’s often possible to get the results in a matter of minutes. For arrival testing it recommends an at-home test on the basis that these are more convenient and usually cheaper. In terms of tests for leaving the UK, when getting your results in good time remains critical, Covid Testing Network recommends using a clinic.
Or going to a clinic or walk-through/drive-through test site. Taking the test at home, where you are sent a swabbing kit and instructions, with some providers offering video calls with staff who can explain what you need to do Turnaround times vary from same-day results to 72-hour processing, with prices varying accordingly, says Covid Testing Network, a company that has launched a comparison site for PCR test providers. Individual PCR tests typically cost from £50 to £250 – many providers offer a range of packages at different prices. With PCR tests, the sample is sent to a lab for processing and analysis. Photograph: Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images The tests PCR tests for Covid-19 differ from rapid antigen (lateral flow) tests, which are usually quicker and cheaper. This week, the rules in Scotland and Wales for those returning from amber-list countries were broadly brought into line with those for England, while Northern Ireland will follow on 26 July. However, they will no longer need to take a day eight test. Travellers will still have to take a pre-departure rapid antigen or PCR test before travelling back to England (NHS tests can’t be used), and a PCR test on or before day two after their arrival. Their “re-entry” requirements will be the same as those coming back from a green-list country.
Some providers charge extra for this, says consumer body Which?.įrom 19 July, double-vaccinated holidaymakers from England travelling to amber-list countries will not have to quarantine on their return. Some countries want to see a “fit to fly” or “fit to travel” certificate – a document provided alongside a negative test as proof that it’s safe for you to travel. Other countries that will currently accept a rapid antigen test include Italy, Germany and the US. Some countries will accept a rapid antigen (lateral flow) test, and these are quicker and cheaper.Ĭheck the UK government website, and/or the government travel advice website of the country you are travelling to, for the latest details of entry requirements and tests required.įor example, on Thursday the site said anyone travelling to France who is fully vaccinated will need to provide evidence of a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure, or a non-NHS negative rapid antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours. Most countries that require a Covid test will accept a PCR test, which will need to be done by a private provider. Photograph: Sébastien Nogier/EPA The basicsīefore setting off from the UK, you may need to get proof of a negative Covid test in order to enter your destination country. Most countries that require a test will accept a PCR test, which needs to be done by a private provider.
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