PCR test. To think it’s intrusive that my reg plate was photographed

[Innitstrange]

NC For this

I went for a PCR test via a drive thu centre today.
All went as planned but at the end, one of the staff in high viz jacket went to front of my car and took a pic of my registration plate.

I didn’t think about it til after I’d left but it makes me uncomfortable.
I know I have to isolate until I get the result but it is a bit off putting.... the lack of trust thing. I can’t help feeling intimidated.
That’s how it feels.
Anyone had this ? Why ?

Is there any point in this because I could have borrowed someone’s car to attend?
I went for a similar test over a year ago but didn’t experience this.

They told us it was because the result is linked to you using your car reg when you book the drive through appointment. It’s nothing to do with making sure you isolate.

As above, it’s to register your car/online request for a test with the barcode of the test you give them. It’s got nothing at all to do with isolating and all to do with confirming details so the right person gets the right result.

You give your registration number when you book so it'll just be linked to that.

It's to speed up the 'booking in process' so they have your details ready

It's intrusive. But it's also what happens hundreds of times a day when you're out in public. Just some jobsworth feeling important.

Your reg is linked to your test booking. So they scan the registration to get your details on the screen. No ulterior motive.

What @BellatricksStrange said.
If you live in any kind of built-up area (or even go into certain car parks), your reg number will be recorded by ANPR cameras.
MI5 aren't coming for you any time soon OP!

@BellatricksStrange

It's intrusive. But it's also what happens hundreds of times a day when you're out in public. Just some jobsworth feeling important.

How the fuck are you getting "just some jobsworth feeling important" out of that? It is his job, it is how the system works! Why would he feel important taking one out of probably hundreds of photos that day. You sound very condescending.

The last time we went the QR code thing wasn’t readable so they used the car reg instead which was linked to the booking and found out details.

Don't McDonald's take your number plate??

What you think It’s so they can track you and that your not out and about while meant to be isolating?. No op it’s only so that your vehicle is linked to your booking nothing sinister so no need to worry .

Its linked to your test did you not put it in when you booked , its not to give to your local police force to look out for you

Your number plate is photographed every time you do click and collect at Tesco. I know this because the police used it to identify the scumbag doing their shopping on my 90 year old mum’s debit card.

Thanks guys

Yes I did feel unusually paranoid about it earlier but you confirmed my inner thoughts that I was being silly !
It all makes sense really.

Yep. It's a drive though appointment. So how else would they know the right person has arrived?! Otherwise they'd have to have even longer difficult muffled conversations through the glass of your car window to take your name and so on.

Same happened when my local tidy tip had very restricted numbers during lockdown. We had to book a slot by reg no, and they took a photo when we drove in.

Why are you so worried, are you not intending to isolate if positive.

You might want to give McDonalds etc a miss too if your worried about your number plate being recorded.

@saraclara
No, they clarified name etc. through window
AFTER I’d done the test and posted it, one of them went to front of car to take the pic.
Like I said, it was the order and way it was done.

It’s hardly a secret, your reg number is photographed 100s of times a day. I can walk round in public taking photos of it if I fancy.

Your reg is clearly displayed on the outside of your vehicle, I don't get why people are so precious about it being photographed, as pp have said it gets picked up by cameras and anpr 100s of times a day