Keeping home tests just in case

[whatsthataboutthen]

Am in an area where getting drive through or walk through tests is getting really difficult.

If I order home tests for everyone in my household, can I keep them for when (and I say when rather than if) one of us comes down with Covid symptoms, and at that point use them and send them off to get results?

If so, how long after ordering them can I use them? Is there a date past which (eg 14 days) that they won't accept that bar code and I would have to re order?

The only problem is the QR code that accompanies the test may become out of date if not sent back straight away.

I've wondered this as well. Getting a home test is quite quick already but it would be great to have them already and just post off.

I don't think it's a bad idea although there's a question about how ethical that is. If we all did it then there would be supply issues for tests that people need right now?

I would have a supply of LFTs in at all times, but not PCRs.

I have kept one in the house for months, when I need to do a test I order another one then as soon as I get the order reference email I take the test I have in the house, register it against the new order reference and post it off. I've always had my results back within a couple of days so no issue with the aging of the test. I've never tried logging it against the original order number though. Then a day or so later the new test arrives and I put it on the shelf for when I need it.

They really should just let you have one per person in the house. The only thing that might be expensive is the liquid in the tube, I can't find out what that is - it might just be sterile saline. As it is, you would have to lie and say you have symptoms which would mean you have to isolate for 10 days.

I ordered one that I didn't end up using as it didn't arrive in time so U had to go to a drive through.

Anyway next time I had symptoms I called 119 and they said I could use it. I did use it and results came back to me with no issue.

They did say there is a certain time within which they need to be used but I can't remember what it is (a couple of months maybe?). If you call them they'll be able to tell you

Why can't you just order them if and when you need them?

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