Urgent advice Qantas PCR 72 hours

[Somuchtogive]

Hi - not a strictly AIBU but young friend is going to Oz on Monday. Booked PCR for wrong time (he’s young and keen to be independent!) so although it’s come back negative, it’s 7 minutes outside the 72 hour window. Friend has been on the phone for hours but Qantas not responding - constant hold. Running out of time! Has until 8pm to re-test. Does anyone know if there is any leeway with the PCR? TIA.

Suppose if I must - AIBU to expect Qantas to have someone to talk to us after an hour on hold? He even tried Oz and that was min two-hour hold!

Hi OP i work for a covid testing company. Is it 7 minutes outside from his appointment time or the results issue time? Check the certificate it should say what time the lab results were issued.

Surely a retest is the safest option. Oz is very very tough on border control - ask any tennis player you like!

@HangingOver Thanks for responding. it’s the results time.

Sorry @HangingOver it’s not the results time it’s the time of test

Just retest if he has the time, not sure why you'd risk not doing.

@Soontobe60 Agree but his travelling companion is not keen unless side it’s needed, and he thinks it will be ok Want/need to stick together. So unless they both do - both may have to not travel.

That'll be a hard no then I think. They can get a same day one tomorrow though.

Express Test do a 4 hour turn around at Heathrow and Randox in Birmingham do a 3 hour turnaround. I wouldn’t risk it. What is the point of having a cut off of 72 hours if someone says only an extra 7 mins, 14 mins, 30 mins.

Definitely do another test

Not OZ but I accidently tested outside the 72 hr window for the country I am now vacationing in. I thought it was 72 hours to departure time when the government regulations stated arrival time. I had no problem as in real life they just counted the days not the actual time.

The party line they give over the phone is going to be it has to be within the set times.

They may be lucky and get someone who then overlooks it - or they might not.

No one is going to tell them in advance that it's OK and the cut off times don't apply to them - total waste of time even calling.

Ridiculous risk to take, just re-test.

Thank you so much Dear Mumsnetters - was alone and trying to advise. Have read out your replies to my friend and his friend and they are going now to re-test. Xx