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Original poster

Travelling after recently having COVID

83 replies

timetoboard · 04/07/2021 09:35

Hi all

I'm currently isolating after a positive covid test last Sunday, I've been asymptomatic and not had any symptoms luckily so quite confident I will be able stop isolating after Wednesday.

I was due to fly to Italy on Tuesday for work which obviously can't happen but my employer still wants me to go as soon as possible. They have asked me to go for another PCR test on Thursday morning (NHS one booked online) and if that come back negative they will arrange for me to get a private one on Saturday with the aim to fly on Sunday. Obviously I shouldn't really be booking an NHS PCR test for this reason but surely there's a good chance this could still come back positive? And obviously any private tests I do after that?

I can't find anything online but what on earth are you supposed to do if you need to travel and you have recently had COVID? Reports suggest you can get a positive test for up to 90 days but I can't find any information on how you travel if you can't get a negative PCR test? I know with the test events in the UK people who have had COVID in the last 180 days could attend but I can't find any information on whether Italy accept a recent positive case instead of a negative PCR?

Just wondering if anyone has experienced this or can point me in the right direction of some information regarding travel after COVID? I've looked on the NHS website/gov.uk/Italian embassy and can't find anything!

OP posts:
Original poster
timetoboard · 05/07/2021 07:16

@TheTeenageYears

You also need to factor in the requirement for a negative test to return to the UK as well. Family experience of positive, positive, negative, positive in 5 week period - travel nightmare. Countries have different thresholds for a positive result so even if you test negative in the UK you may test positive in Italy. Some countries will or at some point accepted proof of recent infection but the variants have knocked most of that on the head and there is absolutely no way of entering the UK without a negative test.
Yeah I had thought of this as well, whilst I'm away because I come under an exemption we have to test every other day so I'm worried I will get a negative, travel and then one of these become positive.
OP posts:
user1477249785 · 05/07/2021 19:17

Time - I've done a load of research on this today and called A LOT of people. What I have learnt is that: each country has different entry requirements following a positive test but that even if you satisfy those requirements, airlines often have different needs. So for the country we are going to it's absolutely clear what the entry requirements are following a positive test but no airline that we have called will let us travel without a negative test do the county's requirements are irrelevant.

startingtosmileagain · 05/07/2021 20:42

I am in a similar situation, also going to Italy.

If next week my son (who tested positive last Monday) does daily LFT and they are negative does that mean there is a good chance they will continue to be negative, or can it pop up positive at any time in the next couple of months?

feliznavidad2 · 07/07/2021 21:13

Just saw this and thought it might help you OP.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/

MrsLCSofLichfield · 07/07/2021 21:32

I have nothing to add to this thread, but I am now going around singing 'Feliz Navidad'.

"I wanna wish you a merry Christmas, I wanna wish you a merry Christmas..."

< gets coat, heads for Christmas board >

feliznavidad2 · 07/07/2021 22:17

You're welcome @MrsLCSofLichfield 😆 🎅

Original poster
timetoboard · 08/07/2021 08:22

[quote feliznavidad2]Just saw this and thought it might help you OP.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/[/quote]
Thanks for that but I don't think this is accepted anywhere for travel yet which is annoying!

Currently in a stand off with my employer as they are adamant I need an NHS PCR test before they will pay for me to have a private one to fly, but I shouldn't be doing either!

OP posts:
poshme · 08/07/2021 16:33

Just joining this thread as we are in the same situation.
It's a nightmare!

Tatapie · 08/07/2021 17:33

Joining as really keen to find out the answer! My DS got to fly test was positive so I am hoping his NHS app will be updated but unsure. If it is then he'll have a Covid recovery certificate which Spain will accept. I don't think the airlines care, it's about the destination country requirements isn't it? But whilst this may get us out how the hell do you get back ?? Could be ok on an antigen test but it's risky and it's unlikely a pcr day 2 test would be negative. It's bonkers!!

user1477249785 · 09/07/2021 04:40

Tatapie we have been explicitly told by the airlines that they will not carry us without a negative pcr...

Tatapie · 09/07/2021 08:13

Ok, can I ask specifically if you asked Ryanair about returning to UK?
That's another hurdle then. ConfusedI know someone flying home today it will be interesting to see what docs get checked. Not suggesting anyone risk flying without a test just frustrated!

Tatapie · 09/07/2021 10:32

I've asked my MP & asked Simon Calder on Twitter . Probably nothing will happen until A gov ministerial in this position!

Tatapie · 11/07/2021 07:23

My MP is asking Shapps! Also emailed the gov department too. There must be an answer otherwise people will be testing positive when it's not a new infection, you're specifically told not to get a test by the NHS! Is this discriminatory against people who've had Covid if they can't travel without significant risk of being refused a flight / having to quarantine?

Tatapie · 11/07/2021 07:25

@timetoboard I'd be interested to hear if you had any updates?

StarcourtMall · 11/07/2021 07:52

If you got Coronavirus while abroad would you be stuck in a foreign country until you can produce a negative test? That could take weeks!

Original poster
timetoboard · 11/07/2021 08:32

Sorry @Tatapie completely forgot about this thread!

I didn't really get anywhere with it, I told my employer I refused to go for an NHS test so they are going to pay for me to get a fit to fly test and we are just going to hope it's negative! I'll be going for it either tomorrow or Tuesday so will update when I get the result. The event is next weekend and they really need someone to be there (it's hard to give any more details without this being outing as I've told a lot of people about this situation!) and I'm the only one that can go so I've had to accept it is what it is and just praying for all negative tests! And some Italian sun will be nice so I was quite looking forward to it Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
timetoboard · 11/07/2021 08:36

@StarcourtMall

If you got Coronavirus while abroad would you be stuck in a foreign country until you can produce a negative test? That could take weeks!
This is another thing I'm note sure about, I can't find anything that says otherwise but it's ridiculous if it's the case.

I understand they are probably making things difficult to stop people travelling but for some people zoom doesn't solve everything! A lot of sports have been back to normal since last summer just without spectators so there's thousands of people who are having to travel and don't really have any choice not too.

OP posts:
Tatapie · 11/07/2021 08:37

@timetoboard thanks, really hope it's negative, do let us know! Smile

TheTeenageYears · 11/07/2021 17:00

@timetoboard when my son was stuck abroad following a positive pre flight test I was told by the testing company that in their experience 10% of all those who test positive initially on a pre flight test go on to test positive 14 days later and then 5% of those go on to test positive after that. He had personal experience of someone testing positive for 6 weeks.

I completely get the need to travel for things beyond holidays (we live abroad, away from two teens) it's really tough and there's a huge amount of risk involved.

ArianaVenti · 11/07/2021 18:10

@StarcourtMall

If you got Coronavirus while abroad would you be stuck in a foreign country until you can produce a negative test? That could take weeks!
This happened to my friend's cousin - came home for Christmas from Sweden and started with covid a few days later. Ended up not managing to get back to Sweden (&work) for several weeks! Luckily she was staying with family, but still really difficult situation
startingtosmileagain · 11/07/2021 21:57

(Two weeks following a positive Covid test) if you start to have negative LFT, is it likely you will continue to test negative, or could you randomly test positive at any time do you think?

Watapalava · 11/07/2021 22:25

I’d be more concerned if you manage a negative flook pcr on way out but then shows postive on return

I know someone who fluctuated for a while showing positive and later negative and so on

Watapalava · 11/07/2021 22:25

As in, so you can’t fly back

TheTeenageYears · 12/07/2021 11:12

@Watapalava

I’d be more concerned if you manage a negative flook pcr on way out but then shows postive on return

I know someone who fluctuated for a while showing positive and later negative and so on

That happened to my son. It can also be as a result of differing countries viral load threshold for what classes as a positive.
highlighterpink · 12/07/2021 12:50

We are in this position too so I am following with interest. It's a nightmare. I'm thinking of doing a PCR a week before holiday to get an idea of whether it's positive or negative before the stressful test before flight.

Does anyone know if a private PCR testing gets a positive do they inform public health/test&trace?