Fast PCR test turnaround after arriving in UK

[Hels20]

Does anyone know any London PCR test provider who guarantees a fast turnaround of a Day 2 PCR test after returning from abroad? I need one within 5 hours or so - and I can only find providers who offer next day or by midnight on the day…

doctap.co.uk/covid-19-test/
This company were offering 3hr results I think it is same day now.
I've had results in 1.5hrsfrom them.
The test centre was located behind the Radison at Heathrow.

Randox have got a few express sites with 1-3hr results
But you have to select ‘leaving the UK’ when booking. For some reason, they don’t offer it as an arrival service

But you just book a cheap postal PCR test for your day 2 test code for the passenger locator form and then use the express PCR test result if you’re contacted by track and trace

I think the test is slightly different between departures and arrivals - so they are looking for something slightly different. Booking a departing PCR test doesn’t work - it has to be an arrival test because they are looking for a different genome sequencing…

I don’t think any test centres do it yet - apart from one which costs £399!!

Thats only an issue if it’s positive
In which case, you return your pre-ordered postal PCR

If it’s negative, it makes no difference, and you’ve got a negative PCR result to show, in the unlikely event you are contacted by T&T

Get a fast one done when you arrive at Heathrow, will be more expensive, but necessary if you need result quickly.

Thanks @Mindymomo - but Heathrow isn’t offering one that returns results in hours for day 2 returns…I have looked at that provider

I think I am stuck - unless labs get their act together and do do this other sequencing and give you a result. I know I could do a PCR and then the new Day 2 test but I would be breaking the rules…

I'm not sure which provider they used but a colleague flew into Heathrow this week and got a test result in a few hours, so there must be one out there.

@Hels20

I think I am stuck - unless labs get their act together and do do this other sequencing and give you a result. I know I could do a PCR and then the new Day 2 test but I would be breaking the rules…

It’s not breaking the rules

The rules say you need to pre-book a day 2 test. So pre book a day two pcr

The rules also say you have to isolate until you get a negative PCR result
So go to an express centre and get a test, and if it’s negative, you will get a reference to provide if you’re asked for one

I’m not really sure why you are trying to make such a problem out of it

The sequencing ability of the test only comes into play if your test is positive
With a negative test, it’s totally irrelevant