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Covid

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Original poster

Free COVID test invalid for travel?

99 replies

heavenon · 27/05/2021 12:04

Has anyone traveled recently and can let me know? I read that NHS tests aren’t valid for travelling but every council is also offering free COVID tests which aren’t nhs tests. Will these ones be invalid for track or does it depend on the airline?

Has anyone done these free tests from the free COVID testing centres are results emailed to you? How long did they take ?

Are travel certificates (fir for travel certificates) also needed now as I see some private Covid testing centres offering them as well please advise

It’s quiet confusing as things are changing quickly.

I don’t wanna pay £200 for a test when I can get it for free and I also don’t understand how some companies are charging £50 and others charging £300

OP posts:

Moonshine11 · 27/05/2021 18:51

I assume you know you need to pay for a test abroad before coming home and two once home?

Curatingchaos · 27/05/2021 18:52

Wow we all gave up our freedoms up really quickly didn’t we. No you can’t use anything but the private test the airport recommends. At my local airport, to have it on the day you fly is £175 . It’s a massive money making swizz.

Curatingchaos · 27/05/2021 18:56

Also surprised that so many people feel this is justified. You do all know that not all international travel is for ‘holidays’ right?!
This is so prohibitive for families living in different countries that haven’t seen each other for over a year.

SoupDragon · 27/05/2021 19:09

@Curatingchaos

Also surprised that so many people feel this is justified. You do all know that not all international travel is for ‘holidays’ right?! This is so prohibitive for families living in different countries that haven’t seen each other for over a year.

I'm surprised you think anyone other than the people travelling should pay.

Curatingchaos · 27/05/2021 19:11

I’m not against paying. I’m against paying hugely inflated prices.

twelly · 27/05/2021 19:12

The whole system is confusing and given the U.K. policy of allowing travel it seems quite bizare. Many other countries make the cost of a private test low to ensure people take them - right at the start of the pandemic they did that. I suspect that the government doesn't want people to travel hence they are making it difficult. My view is that the borders should be shut at present but I think the government approach of allowing travel and then making the testing difficult, insisting on expensive private tests is disingenuous

kindofcoping · 27/05/2021 19:17

I agree with you OP. But people are getting turned away if they take a free test.

Original poster

heavenon · 27/05/2021 19:18

What are the tests that need to be taken before returning?

OP posts:

TheSaucepanMan · 27/05/2021 19:21

Your airline might be able provide a cheaper alternative, I've been flying a lot due to my work which couldn't be done at home. The fit to fly has your swab date and test date a QR code your passport details etc.

It's check in that check and on arrival at your destination it's immigration (or has been for me) I don't think you'll have issues at your destination no one has cared much everywhere I've been especially France, couldn't give a shit! it seems to be the UK check in where people have problems.

TheSaucepanMan · 27/05/2021 19:22

@heavenon

What are the tests that need to be taken before returning?

Depends on where you've been. All the info is here

www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#prepare-to-return-to-the-uk

Leonardsgirl · 27/05/2021 19:30

Heavenon the free NHS tests generally do not include the level of detail required to be accepted by the country you might be visiting. You need to look at the FCDO website for the entry requirements for the country you are visiting and it will very specifically tell you what sort of test is required and the information needed on the test certificate. Many require the test to be taken within 72 hours of either departure or arrival. You need to check.

Patapouf · 27/05/2021 19:34

The public doesn't want to pay for your test so you can travel. Get a private one.

SoupDragon · 27/05/2021 19:38

@Curatingchaos

I’m not against paying. I’m against paying hugely inflated prices.

Do you know how much they "really" cost?

Method · 27/05/2021 19:40

@amicissimma

"This is Tory land, nothing comes for free."

Nothing comes for free anywhere in the world. In some countries taxpayers pay for holiday-makers' and other travellers' tests. In others, the person choosing to use the service pays for it.

You will find it's free in many places... If you actually look at the day2 and 8 system for amber listed countries, you will see that there is absolutely no scientific basis for it. Isolate, get called daily for most people, even visited in person, test on day 2 and 8 but don't leave isolation until day 10. Unless you have money in which case take a test on day 5 and if negative leave isolation. It's a money making scheme, we will soon find out friends of Matt Hancock got those contract...

pinkappleorpineapple · 27/05/2021 19:56

@Curatingchaos

I’m not against paying. I’m against paying hugely inflated prices.

My local private GP is charging £220 and extra if you need the test done at the weekend. It was cheaper and quicker for me to go to Heathrow and stay in a nice hotel and pay £200 all in and not have an early start for my flight. Some places are advertising seemingly reasonable prices but the premiums for quicker results add up.

Curatingchaos · 27/05/2021 20:00

@SoupDragon no. Do you ?
And if so, how?

Bananarice · 27/05/2021 20:12

I can understand your frustration op. I think the government are doing it as a deterrent. If they allow one set of people to use free tests, it will cause confusion and lot of risk takers will take risks and use the NHS free tests.

I recommend that you use the cheapest pcr option, because I can't see the difference between pcr tests.

Moondust001 · 27/05/2021 20:18

@Curatingchaos

Also surprised that so many people feel this is justified. You do all know that not all international travel is for ‘holidays’ right?! This is so prohibitive for families living in different countries that haven’t seen each other for over a year.

I have my entire family in another country, and nearly all my friends abroad too. I haven't seen any of them for over a year. So what? It's a shame, its a hardship, but why should I be treated any differently?

Watapalava · 27/05/2021 20:22

the expensive tests are for those booking flight only

anyone going on a package pays much less

eg all tests for green countries with tui are £20 pp for all tests
£60pp for amber (which is one lft and 2 pcr so very reasonable)

Billi77 · 27/05/2021 20:31

If you’re doing weekly community testing why should you have to pay for (Matt Hancock’s friend’s) test twice? People on here talk like they don’t understand the huge economic benefits of international travel to and from the Uk.

OutOfControlShoppingTrolley · 27/05/2021 20:44

The tests are not 'free', they cost money to someone: the NHS, the government, the council, or you. If you get a 'free' one due to a health or public health need, someone is still paying. If you get one because you want to travel, you need to pay.

OutOfControlShoppingTrolley · 27/05/2021 20:47

And I haven't seen my brother in this country since last February (15 months) because he is still waiting for his second vaccine and we don't want to infect him (school age DC). It is not a problem unique to those with family abroad.

Billi77 · 27/05/2021 20:51

I am very happy to pay for a test to travel but am very wary of where the money is going. And I travel frequently for work as a necessity and often take my daughter with me as I’m a single parent. I would be thrilled if somebody told me the £1200 we forked out recently were going straight to the NHS.

Hoppinggreen · 27/05/2021 21:25

@heavenon

Paying for tests is only in the UK. My friend who just came back from the US got a free test done there and that’s in the country where people pay for health insurance and she was allowed in the UK

If that’s the requirement here then it doesn’t really matter what it is elsewhere. There was a nurse on the radio who had been turned away at a UK airport as she had a NHS test done at work

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