Test and trace - ridiculous phone calls

[Beendownthisroadmorethantwice]

Just come back from a holiday and self isolating (day 5 test done and due tomorrow).
However while I get they may need to contact and check you’re at home - between me and DH we have now received 9 calls from t&t since Monday. Always with the same script - taking ten minutes each time. Questions are irrelevant and aren’t whether we are at home etc,

Wibu to tell them to stop calling twice a day when we are trying to get on with work.

What are they asking you ?

Ywnbu.
If they call again just ignore them

@Frazzled2207 not much really - just are you x, when did you come into the U.K, don’t go out. But they read ridiculously long statements in between each of these.
Also “have you had a negative test” answer “yes” then “if you test positive you must blah blah blah”. It’s honestly such a waste of time and resource.

What happens if you ignore them, or just say 'yes we're following the rules thank you, now I have to get on with work' and hang up?

I mean, if they send someone round, you're there, where you're supposed to be, and you can wave out the window.

It all sounds infuriating.

Bizarre - in 10 days (flying from US) we had precisely no calls of any description.

I’m a bit hesitant to ignore (not sure why - I’m just - I dunno - nervous). It’s driving us both bonkers.

I had 4 calls in the first 5 days and another after I’d done Test to Release. Didn’t pick up a couple because I was on work calls. Agree with OP that the content was useless procedural drivel. They have no idea where you are anyway. I can only imagine Dido is targeted on number of calls picked up.

Really just don't answer. End off. My parents had the same, they ignored most of the calls after the initial ones.

DS had a brief daily phone call on the landline. DN had a daily visit. It seems different areas have different ways of doing it.

Giving a landline number is probably easiest as they can ascertain you are across at home.

Surely they can't force you to answer the phone?

Giving a landline number is probably easiest as they can ascertain you are across at home.

You can get your landline calls diverted to your mobile if you want, lol. Not sure if they'd be able to track that, though.

@Getabloominmoveon

I had 4 calls in the first 5 days and another after I’d done Test to Release. Didn’t pick up a couple because I was on work calls. Agree with OP that the content was useless procedural drivel. They have no idea where you are anyway. I can only imagine Dido is targeted on number of calls picked up.

Exactly this! If they just said “are you at hone” I’d care less. But it’s long winded shite.

@MatildaTheCat a daily visit would drive me mad! The calls are annoying enough but answering the door and interrupting work daily seems way OTT. Though probably more useful in assessing that you are, in fact isolating.

I started ignoring the calls after Day 3. There are no repercussions.

Don't even go there with them! we are a family of 7 we all tested positive in two days I had 38 calls. Was told I could have 40 plus

Someone Ona similar thread had a theory they keep the conversation. Long to track where you are so they know you're definitely at home

@Thirtyrock39 not a chance. They wouldn’t have the money to do that sort of tracking I would think,

My thought was to wonder where you have travelled from (has Covid case numbers grown there, for example Cyprus), or if you have high numbers locally.

Could you OP just say, I am at home, and if they ask any more questions ask to speak to a supervisor, and hint that you are being chosen for reasons such as the country you went to? Or ask to receive a recording of each call they have made to you, suggesting your concern that your phone may have been hacked?

There is a choice of contact methods on the landing card - phone, text, email or can not be contacted at all.

Next time just choose email.

Avoid “can not be contacted at all” as you might get a visit from an unvaccinated tracer who goes house to house to check up on high risk cases

I’m due home on Monday and will have 10 days quarantine.
I will also be on work calls most days so might not be able to answer the phone and if I am free I won’t be listening to the same script every day, I will stick them on loud speaker and let them crack on.
DH is unlikely to be free for a call 9-5 and they won’t have the DCs numbers so no idea if they will want to speak to them too

I had two daily calls until day 6 as I had filled in two passenger locator forms (changed my mind and opted into test to release) they never managed to cancel the second call even though I told them about it on day two. They just believed me when I said I tested negative and when on day 8 they called (as I was on my way to the airport to leave the country) and I said I wasnt testing as I was leaving, the lady got very snotty when I declined to answer all her questions and said I would be subject to a visit from local enforcement. So I said that it wouldnt be very helpful as I wouldnt be there (see previous comment about leaving the country) and had already tested to release and didnt even need to be there.
Serious lack of joined up thinking and waste of money

Oh and they wouldnt have known it was me on the phone or the Queen. They only ask for the year that you were born as evidence that they are speaking to the correct person.

@SeaToSki honestly I’m starting to think the whole thing is a money grab. Totally understand the test before flying and coming back - but day 2,5 and 8 - ridiculous. Why have dat 2 if you’re going to isolate until day 10. And why need an 8 if you have the test to release at day 5.

Avoid “can not be contacted at all” as you might get a visit from an unvaccinated tracer who goes house to house to check up on high risk cases

Exactly! I’ve now done what four PCRs in the last ten or so days. Am far more at risk from them!

My husband just ignored them in the end, it was incessant.