If you’re double jabbed and allowed to travel overseas would you do a LFT test before travelling ?

[Needtohideunderaduvet]

I suffer with anxiety, would you test for peace of mind before you fly overseas even if not required to do so, knowing if you got a fluke positive you would ruin family’s holiday
I’m work with some people but try to keep my distance and space, very careful when out. Due to travel to Europe - allowed because double jabbed. DS did fit to fly test and was negative so heading out tomorrow we’re meeting up later with him. Dilemma is I have been testing regularly in recent months always negative and think it would be good idea to test couple of days before I go, thing is I’m petrified I’ll show a positive and ruin the trip, equally petrified of infecting anyone if I do get it. I won’t be testing again until overseas 2 days before returning. Heart says test and it will be negative, head says avoid just in case. Please be gentle

No I wouldn’t personally, you’ve folllowed all the rules for so, so long, you’re double vaccinated. You’ve kept your distance. Enjoy your holiday

You need to check the regulations for your destination country. Many ask for a negative test even if you have been double vaccinated.

Where are you going? We're in Majorca and we didn't test beforehand because we're double jabbed and Majorca don't test everyone on arrival. The teens had PCR 48 hours before arrival.

In Greece they test everyone on arrival so it's worth doing one beforehand so you quarantine in UK not when you get to Greece.

We've just done the pre departure lateral flow. We knew they'd be negative as we've not been near anyone since we arrived. Plenty of space around pool and beach and 100% wear masks indoors. Hotel half empty, plane about 3/4 full, transfer coach half full.

It's definitely very anxiety inducing and essentially a bit of a gamble. We're confident we'll make it home but might end up having to quarantine if someone on our flight tests positive on day 2 test.

For us it was either take the gamble or wait until 2022 for a holiday abroad and we decided to gamble. Took out fully comprehensive insurance to try and mitigate the risks.

No.

Yes I would. Surely if you were positive and others caught it from you then the trip would be 'ruined' anyway. You're just putting others at risk by not doing it.

You can do a LFT at home and then follow up with a PCR if positive. If we hadn't decided not to go abroad I'd have done a LFT a couple of days before traveling as much better having holiday cancelled while you're in UK than getting a positive abroad and ending up stuck over there in goodness knows what type of accommodation.

@Amboseli

Where are you going? We're in Majorca and we didn't test beforehand because we're double jabbed and Majorca don't test everyone on arrival. The teens had PCR 48 hours before arrival.

In Greece they test everyone on arrival so it's worth doing one beforehand so you quarantine in UK not when you get to Greece.

We've just done the pre departure lateral flow. We knew they'd be negative as we've not been near anyone since we arrived. Plenty of space around pool and beach and 100% wear masks indoors. Hotel half empty, plane about 3/4 full, transfer coach half full.

It's definitely very anxiety inducing and essentially a bit of a gamble. We're confident we'll make it home but might end up having to quarantine if someone on our flight tests positive on day 2 test.

For us it was either take the gamble or wait until 2022 for a holiday abroad and we decided to gamble. Took out fully comprehensive insurance to try and mitigate the risks.

They do not test everyone on arrival in Greece, they do a random sample of rapid tests. The same as they did last year. I think when they first opened to tourism they tested whole flights as there was barely anyone on them to assist with them getting the process nailed before mass tourism. But it is just random testing.

- Every traveler who arrives in Greece, regardless of the certificate in their possession, may undergo a random health screening. If you are selected, please keep in mind that the screening is mandatory. In case of refusal, authorities reserve the right to refuse entry into the country. The selection is made through a targeted sampling system ”EVA” used also in the summer of 2020

Source travel.gov.gr/#/

@LivinLaVidaLoki We arrived in Greece last week and they tested every single man, woman and child that was on the flight. The results are sent to your phone.

It was hugely efficient, everyone was friendly and polite. I can't help thinking that it might not quite the same pleasant experience in a UK airport.

@boniobiscuit wonder if it depends on the island you are arriving at or the flight you are arriving on. The airport my cousins husband works at are sampling between 1/3 and 1/2 of passengers.

Either way I hope you had an amazing time.

Also sorry if that came across as terse, I didn't mean to I'm just genuinely curious.

We were in Jersey last week (who test arrivals unless you do a PCR within 72 hours). We did lateral flows before we flew because we'd only paid for a week's accommodation (and I had no idea where they would have put us). I would much rather deal with isolation in my own house, with friends and relatives around to help if we run out of food etc.

Husband had a bit of a runny nose on return and, sure enough, we're all stuck in lockdown after a positive LFT, confirmed by a PCR. It is emerging as a symptom on Zoe (but we wouldn't have known otherwise).

Whatever he was filling in for the coronavirus test and trace/NHS suggests he probably caught it on the Friday-Tuesday of the weekend we arrived. Aside from a 15 minute trip to the supermarket and a bus ride, the most likely place he was infected was....queuing for 80 minutes for luggage and testing at the airport!

Luckily he doesn't feel unwell, and we can work from home, but I do wish I'd made us all do PCR pretests to avoid hanging about in a confined space.