£210 for testing on arrival to the UK

[forinborin]

Quite disappointed about the news. All my family is abroad, I am a single parent with zero support network... one of the big hopes I had is seeing mum and dad this summer. It will be either £630 (me + kids travelling) or £420 (them coming to the UK) in addition to normal costs. Just sad, really.

www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england

I know it's really rubbish for people with support/family overseas. Sorry OP.

Sorry OP.

@keeponkeepinon

I've missed the last couple if briefings, is this long term ie through summer or shorter term ie the next month?

Until further notice, as I understand.

And it doesn't take into consideration that you'd probably need additional PCR tests before flying out of the UK, possibly extra tests on arrival in the other country and then more preflight tests before departing the other country. And then these new tests upon arrival in the UK. Plus quarantine. IMO if people test before flying and also quarantine and have no symptoms, there is no logical need for all the extra tests...

@keeponkeepinon

I've missed the last couple if briefings, is this long term ie through summer or shorter term ie the next month?

It will be long term. Much better than no testing and therefore positive cases escaping into the UK!

The day 2 test is the variant test. And remember people can be asymptomatic.

I'm glad this is now in place, the wider cost to society of the delay is much greater than £210.

I'm sorry you're struggling though OP. It's just shit.

@TravellingTilbury

And it doesn't take into consideration that you'd probably need additional PCR tests before flying out of the UK, possibly extra tests on arrival in the other country and then more preflight tests before departing the other country. And then these new tests upon arrival in the UK. Plus quarantine. IMO if people test before flying and also quarantine and have no symptoms, there is no logical need for all the extra tests...

I also cannot see any significant added value by this testing, to be honest. If you have a non-compliant covid denier, you still have zero ways to check whether they respect the quarantine restrictions, even if they are positive. If you have someone conscious, they will self-isolate according to the rules anyway.

I’m guessing it’s because the majority of non-isolators thought that they couldn’t possibly be positive as they didn’t feel unwell so thought it was fine to pop to the shops or see their friends. If they have a positive test they are more likely to stay in.

It is rubbish though I agree. I also have family abroad, but luckily they can afford it so will be coming here soon.

To be honest, if there's an extra long-term cost of ~£1K of seeing your parents twice a year, a lot of qualified immigrant labour will probably consider escaping as well. With an added benefit of keeping their jobs as the pandemic triggered a big re-think in the remote working philosophy, just paying taxes elsewhere.
Many countries are running compulsory PCR testing schemes for arrivals for a much lower price - e.g. in my home country it costs around 30-40 euros - and that is on a for-profit basis.

Surely once vaccination is widespread you will be able to show proof and avoid the test requirements.

@Cloudsurfing

It is rubbish though I agree. I also have family abroad, but luckily they can afford it so will be coming here soon.

Well, I can afford it too, as I class it under essential mental health expense to avoid thinking about it too much. But it is a privileged position to be in.

I doubt it’ll be very long term, just this year whilst vaccines get rolled out worldwide.

@forinborin yes I agree, we are lucky we can afford it. It’s rubbish for everyone who can’t. But this whole situation has been rubbish for everyone. I’m hoping things start improving very soon, and I’m sure these travel restrictions will be lessened over time too. I’m just thankful my families country hasn’t been added to the quarantine hotel list (yet).

I don't think I'll be see family this year - hopefully in 2022 but who knows. I've given up for now! It sucks OP.

And the point about non-compliant travellers is a good point - if people aren't compliant without a test/quarantine, then they aren't going to necessarily be compliant with a test ... so other than data monitoring, the test achieves little as the travellers should be quarantining anyway. It would make little different to any tracing as all other travellers from the flight would also be quarantining...

Ah well.

Good luck and hopefully you'll get to see your family this year without too much bother OP.