Help! Travel advice please

[MsChanandlerBoing]

Hi,

I’ve got a question about travelling that we can’t seem to find the answer for anywhere!

So my other half was supposed to travel to home country a few days ago - tested positive on LFT the day before then PCR positive next day so obviously cancelled his plans.

Now he’s pretty much recovered we’re booking his flights for a couple of weeks time. Destination country doesn’t need any pre departure tests if you have recently tested positive and recovered (by which they mean out of 10 days isolation and asymptomatic).

Now here’s the problem - he would need a PCR test to come back to the U.K. but the NHS currently advises not to retest within 90days of having covid unless new symptoms due to the risk of false positives.

For many reasons it’s not really on the cards to delay the trip so my question is - if he should have a false positive result is it just “tough luck” and he’s stuck abroad until he tests negative even though he’s asymptomatic and the NHS would not advocate testing him so close to his recent infection anyway?

If that’s the case that’s fine he’s staying with his family but just want to be prepared and can’t find an answer anywhere.

Thank you!

It seems that the NHS and the government say once you’ve done 10 days isolation and are recovered as per their guidelines you’re free to travel as you wish - and in England you can also access a covid pass for 180days for events etc.

You’re then also specifically told NOT to have a PCR test if you’re asymptomatic because you could have a false positive but also that you need a PCR test to return from the travel that the government says you’re allowed to go on. Then if you have a false positive you’re either stuck abroad or if it’s a day 2 test then your household is stuck in isolation too? Even though by the govt own admission you shouldn’t have an asymptomatic PCR test so close to infection because it’s likely a false positive….

Is this actually right….? Am I missing something?

A lot of other countries have extended their version of a covid passport to include people who have had a recent positive result as well as people who have had both vaccinations.

You're got it all correct. The rules don't make sense for this very reason. Sadly the UK are behind their European and American counterparts on this. Meanwhile people are unfairly affected by this.

It’s just so frustrating when it feels like we are all under illogical rules. At the moment the only way I can understand this gaping hole in travel guidelines is that this scenario just hasn’t been thought of which just makes the government seem incompetent.

If anyone out there has an actual explanation I’d honestly love to hear it.

I think your summary is correct, the government are incompetent. Simon Calder has written about this problem today in the Independent.