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Original poster

Please explain new testing regime for travellers

42 replies

CKBJ · 09/02/2021 14:57

So Hancock has announced the new testing scheme for travellers into the UK. A pcr test on day 2 and day 8 which will be genome sequenced, obviously very good. However I don’t get this part.... the new rules can be used alongside the old ie test on day 5 negative and quarantine can end. Does this mean a traveller could test negative on day 2, negative again on day 5 meaning they can end quarantine early, go about their business day 6 and day 7, test again day 8. If the traveller is positive they potentially could have been mixing for 2 days! I’m really confused. Surely it needs to be simple: come into the country no matter who you are and quarantine for 10 days test on day 2 and day 8.

OP posts:
lovemirage · 09/02/2021 14:58

I don't know but it's going to be expensive to travel anywhere and back.

Moonstone1234 · 09/02/2021 15:05

Its a mess isnt it? Testing companies are going to get very rich on undertaking test after test on the same people.

The travel industry will be trashed. No one will go abroad. There was an article in the papers saying that even a £30 charge for a GP to give you a CV19 vaccination certificate would be unaffordable to some. I am not sure about that but some people will avoid paying anything if they can get away with it. i.e about 25% of people go with NO travel insurance! so as these tests will be at the cost of the traveller then this will really cut down people looking to go on holiday.

And for those who say stay in the UK - for me its PRICE and WEATHER.

Rip off prices and it could be piddling down.

Unanananana · 09/02/2021 15:05

@lovemirage

I don't know but it's going to be expensive to travel anywhere and back.
Good. So it should be to deter those that are travelling for spurious reasons.

The testing thing is confusing OP. People should have to complete ten days isolation surely regardless of test results? Thats what the standard is according to apps etc? Happy to be corrected though.

lovemirage · 09/02/2021 15:23

@Unanananana We were planning to see my family abroad this summer but if it's too expensive I go alone.

Original poster
CKBJ · 09/02/2021 16:18

The cost will be a factor for most. We have family in several countries we haven’t seen since 2019. Cost aside, I still find the actual new testing regime confusing. As travelling for leisure is illegal at the moment hopefully it will be simpler when it’s allowed again but still ensures our boarders are secure.

OP posts:
Devlesko · 09/02/2021 16:23

Good, hopefully more will stay in the UK when restrictions are lifted.
Too much pollution from travel broad.

7vio · 09/02/2021 16:36

@Devlesko

Good, hopefully more will stay in the UK when restrictions are lifted. Too much pollution from travel broad.
Really?! Do you even realize how many people from other countries live in the UK permanently? With their immediate families living abroad?! My child hasn’t seen his Grandma since 2019 - we were due to travel in summer 2020 but this never happened. I now have twins. I would do anything for my Mum to come and help me. My parents in law live in Europe - again, who knows when we will see them! Yes, we’re in lockdown now and we’re following the rules - but you say that you hope once restrictions are lifted, there will still be no travel to and from the UK? I gather from your comment that you’re bred and born British - lucky you, that you don’t have to travel far to see your loved ones. For us, it might be yet another year - if no longer...heart doesn’t bear to think how long I have to wait till I see my family again ((
Thischarmlessgirl · 09/02/2021 16:53

@7vio I’m in the same position (and also have twins) the thought of not being able to see my mum or her come here is awful. I’ve been vaccinated and would happily pay/take the test but there’s five of us so that will get very expensive and at the moment she’s in a red list country ( Portugal ) requiring hotel quarantine so no hope. I’m really hoping I can see her this year, we are missing so much 🥲🤞

7vio · 09/02/2021 17:00

[quote Thischarmlessgirl]@7vio I’m in the same position (and also have twins) the thought of not being able to see my mum or her come here is awful. I’ve been vaccinated and would happily pay/take the test but there’s five of us so that will get very expensive and at the moment she’s in a red list country ( Portugal ) requiring hotel quarantine so no hope. I’m really hoping I can see her this year, we are missing so much 🥲🤞[/quote]
I hope we all see them. It really worries me as our parents are not getting any younger. My Dad is in remission now thank Goodness, but my Mum is not well health wise. Reading comments like the one from Devlesko breaks my heart. I live in hope that the number of infection/deaths will be declining and there will be light at the end of a tunnel. But to hear that someone actually hopes that there will be no international travel...it terrifies me ((

lavieenrosetintedglasses · 09/02/2021 17:01

I understand it the same way you do @CKBJ and agree it makes no sense.
Also if people have to test on days 2 and 8 is there going to be a monopoly on the tests that can be used?
A private service local to me is charging double what Boots charges.

lavieenrosetintedglasses · 09/02/2021 17:08

@Thischarmlessgirl @7vio also in a tricky situation, all family a flight away and getting very complicated. There are a lot of people condemning frivolous trips abroad with no concept of living far from family. Yes, the current rules mean many people can't see family but if people get a dreaded call that a loved one in this country is dying they can drive there and hopefully arrive in time.
To travel abroad there is the test to leave the UK, a test while abroad to come back and now two tests (minimum) on return.
So no I don't think that people will do that for a holiday, but if you end up in a situation where it's the human thing to do it will be very expensive.

Moonstone1234 · 09/02/2021 17:23

The thought of staying in the UK for my holidays makes my blood run cold.

Iamclearlyamug · 09/02/2021 17:29

@Moonstone1234 same here. I’d rather not holiday at all

Thischarmlessgirl · 09/02/2021 18:01

@lavieenrosetintedglasses I agree, my parents are getting elderly and I worry that I wouldn’t be able to get there in a emergency. I’m sorry you are in this position too

Miljea · 09/02/2021 18:05

Anyone hearing the sound of a stable door slamming long after the horse has bolted??...

GalesThisMorning · 09/02/2021 18:12

I'm another person worriedly wondering what this means for me seeing family. I missed out on seeing them in 2020, really hoping that by summer 2021 things will be easier. I can't just not see them for the next 3 or 4 years Sad

MaxNormal · 09/02/2021 18:15

I’d rather not holiday at all

Yep, will save my money till I can go elsewhere.
Tbh if they keep making travel abroad for work so difficult, and the rest of Europe doesn't, we'll probably have to move permanently.

MaxNormal · 09/02/2021 18:16

@GalesThisMorning it's a nightmare, isn't it? I last saw mine in 2017. I was really unwell and just when I started feeling better enought to travel long-haul, covid struck. I have a young nephew and niece who don't know me at all.
I'm actually grateful my parents are dead at least Sad

7vio · 09/02/2021 18:17

I feel your pain - all those with families abroad. I actually feel proper down tonight...

whatsnewpussycat777 · 09/02/2021 18:24

@Miljea

Anyone hearing the sound of a stable door slamming long after the horse has bolted??...
Me...
SinkGirl · 09/02/2021 18:27

I can’t comprehend anyone choosing to go on holiday in the midst of all this. Travelling because you have family abroad, essential for work etc is one thing but I’m a bit a baffled by the number of people talking about having holidays booked for this summer.

We have a genuinely fucking dreadful year and are exhausted but I cannot imagine travelling abroad right now just for a holiday.

But yes OP, I agree that the rules seem bloody ridiculous - if it’s necessary to test on day 8 then it’s that means a reasonable chance of someone testing negative on day 2 testing positive on day 8. Yet another decision based on not pissing people off rather than anything else!

GalesThisMorning · 09/02/2021 18:28

[quote MaxNormal]@GalesThisMorning it's a nightmare, isn't it? I last saw mine in 2017. I was really unwell and just when I started feeling better enought to travel long-haul, covid struck. I have a young nephew and niece who don't know me at all.
I'm actually grateful my parents are dead at least Sad[/quote]
Sorry to hear that @MaxNormal. It makes living overseas feel much more precarious doesn't it. My mom and sisters and nieces and nephews are all on the other side of the world... fingers crossed restrictions ease over the summer

SinkGirl · 09/02/2021 18:29

@Moonstone1234

The thought of staying in the UK for my holidays makes my blood run cold.
Give over. Plenty of people don’t get to go on holiday at all, UK or not. We haven’t been away for 5 years. Plenty is making my blood run cold these days but this is ridiculous.
LenaBlack · 09/02/2021 18:31

God it's so bad..I haven't seen my siblings for a year now! Have a new nephew, missed SIL pregnancy..I want to cry..

GalesThisMorning · 09/02/2021 18:32

I also wouldn't travel for a holiday now, but aside from missing my family I'm just so desperate to get away. Desperate for sun and new things to look at and a respite from these sam 4 walls and something to look forward to! I am just so desperate for a holiday! And I'm some one who is very cheerful and resilient and hasn't struggled that much over the past year. I can imagine how if you've really found it rough going you could convince yourself it's worth booking something now

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