Anyone planning to get tested before seeing relatives over Christmas? 2 questions?

[Namechangeforthis111]

If so.........

1. How are you arranging this?

1. When are you getting the test? (Eg how long before you are seeing them or how long after you have been at work etc?)

TIA

I don't suppose you can without symptoms. But regardless no I won't be wasting resources like that (unless you're paying for private ones of course). If someone is that worried though I would just hold off from meeting until the vaccine is rolled out completely

I have a box of lateral flow tests, bought privately via my job.
Start isolating 19th. Test all 3 of us every 2 days. Not having Christmas gathering on 25th but a bit later so we can isolate for longer.
It would make sense with bringing the isolation period down to 10 days if we could gather on 29th (there’s only 6 of us- 2 households). As it is we will either do it on 27th or illegally.

I think you can pay to be tested. I'm sure I saw an advertisement for it at my local pharmacy. Mayne try somewhere like that?

You can pay to be tested, I had one before a flight. It was £200, or £250 if you needed the results within 48 hours. The results get emailed to you.

If you’re having a test without symptoms, you should pay for it; really. I’d hoped that the price would drop but it seems fairly stable, although I haven’t researched specifically for Christmas as the in-laws are over 65 and it doesn’t seem worth mixing. Our local hospitals are approaching capacity with over 60s, and I don’t want to risk them ending up there.

If you go for an nhs test, you’d have to lie about having symptoms, and then the results will be back whenever they’re back - I’ve had local friends have them back within 24 hours and take almost a week recently (both did have symptoms).

Ahh yes those 50% accurate lateral flow tests..

www.ft.com/content/53ea9283-8765-418b-8286-66b2bcd6e01c

Hi OP. We’ve bought one of these:

www.dnanudge.com/en/COVID-Bubble-test

It’s something to do with Imperial College and legit. I should say that in my opinion, the relaxation of the rules are beyond stupid and I don’t agree with them at all. We are actually meeting up in my parents’ garden and will not go into the house, and only stay for a couple of hours on Christmas morning (not for Christmas lunch). Sorry, I know that’s not what you were asking but I thought maybe the test info would be helpful.

I would have preferred no relaxation of rules as this has caused a lot of upset and stress (would have preferred to just stay here in our bubble of 3, but don’t want to upset my parents, sister or our DD, who is only 7). Hope you have a lovely Christmas 🎄

Thanks all, I am tested 2x a week with work, which does give some peace of mind.

I wondered about getting the dc tested privately, but wasn’t sure if I did, when the best time to do it is and how to go about it.

Obviously there is no 100% safe way as they could be asymptomatic and incubating the virus on the day of the test so could give a false sense of security.

I think we’ll just minimise contacts as much as possible once school breaks up , as that gives a week.

Nope. No testing or isolating or any of that covid related crap.

Yes. We have mass testing in our area. The plan is to go get tested after the kids finish on Friday. Then there will be a week until Christmas where we won’t be mixing before bubbling with parents. Obviously not 100% fool proof as incubation can be up to 14 days but I believe a test on Friday plus 7 days should give us a pretty low chance of being infectious for Xmas day.

Mass testing where I am so yes we will be

@Fleshlumpeater

Yes. We have mass testing in our area. The plan is to go get tested after the kids finish on Friday. Then there will be a week until Christmas where we won’t be mixing before bubbling with parents. Obviously not 100% fool proof as incubation can be up to 14 days but I believe a test on Friday plus 7 days should give us a pretty low chance of being infectious for Xmas day.

Is too

Booked a private test for the 21st - should get results on 23rd and if all clear will go joke for Christmas on the 24th. Both WFH , no DC and isolating from now so 10 days isolation - bar seeing one sibling this weekend who is coming for Christmas anyway and who has a new baby so isolating and being careful herself. I want to be able to relax and enjoy myself with no masks or distancing.