Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Day 2 test

20 replies

Asiama · 04/08/2021 11:10

Hello, my fully vaccinated friend in an amber country would like to visit me in England, arriving on a Friday and leaving on the Monday. I am trying to get my head around the logistics of the day 2 test. Day 2 would be the Sunday, so I imagine it is unlikely she will have the test result back before she leaves England. Will she need the result to be able to board the plane? Will she have to take the test at all??

OP posts:
IsabellesMissingSock · 04/08/2021 11:12

It doesn't have to be actually done on day 2. Day 2 is the last day it can be done.

Original poster
Asiama · 04/08/2021 14:05

Ah ok that's good to know! Will she need to have the result to be able to fly back? I'm thinking even if she does the test on day 1 ie Saturday, after posting it back the result May still not be a available by Monday.

OP posts:
pommedeterre · 04/08/2021 14:08

No, she could do a separate pcr or antigen test for a fit to fly certificate (depends on the rules of that country).

Original poster
Asiama · 04/08/2021 21:08

Hi @pommedeterre, her country does not require a test to return, so it's whether she has to take a day 2 test and have the results before England lets her out of the country. If she has to take the test but doesn't need to have the result then I'm not worried.

OP posts:
pommedeterre · 05/08/2021 13:40

Oh I see sorry. I do agree that the rules get complicated for short travel by the way - Im doing 24-72 hour trips for work and some of the logic fails are big!
I think she should take the test (and it can be Friday or Saturday) but I don't think her having the result will be checked when she travels back.

Original poster
Asiama · 05/08/2021 22:19

That's reassuring, thank you!

So what's the incentive for buying the day 2 test, if it's not needed to be allowed to return? She will of course do it, but it feels like there is no stick for not doing it.

OP posts:
Blessex · 06/08/2021 04:28

Firstly yes she can leave without taking the test. Secondly she has to buy the test in order to complete her passenger locator form to enter the U.K. They now even check you are not putting a fake number into the passenger locator form by asking to see the actual test booking. Whether she then has to TAKE the test - well she won’t be arrested if she doesn’t - sometimes mine simply haven’t arrived - but seems a bit silly to pay for it and then not do it. They use the tests mainly to screen for new variants. Hope that helps.

Blessex · 06/08/2021 04:30

And ps yes she can absolutely leave the country before the results are back. She should take it day 2 however and not earlier. Don’t try and fudge the system that way. Won’t matter anyway - they don’t check you have taken the test when leaving the country.

pommedeterre · 06/08/2021 10:25

Yes, you need the testing company's bookingcode on your PLF to get into the UK.

Original poster
Asiama · 06/08/2021 11:55

Thank you all! Really helpful and reassuring. My friend has booked her flight Smile I'm so excited to see her as we haven't seen each other for 2 years due to Covid.

It seems really odd that no one is checking if those who don't need to quarantine are actually taking the tests. I can see people buying it to get into England, but not actually doing the test.

OP posts:
Pissinthepottyplease · 06/08/2021 12:08

She needs proof that she booked a 2 day test in order to be able to board the plane to England.

There is definitely guidance on what to do in short trips.

Blessex · 06/08/2021 12:47

@Asiama I think the point of the tests is to of course let you know if you are positive but also to screen for new variants to keep an eye on what is coming in. But I know a few instances where they simply haven’t arrived and there are no consequences.

IsabellesMissingSock · 06/08/2021 12:55

@Blessex

And ps yes she can absolutely leave the country before the results are back. She should take it day 2 however and not earlier. Don’t try and fudge the system that way. Won’t matter anyway - they don’t check you have taken the test when leaving the country.
It doesn't have to be done on day 2. Why would doing it before day 2 be "fudging the system"?

People do the day 2 tests on arrival in their U.K. airport.

Blessex · 06/08/2021 12:59

@IsabellesMissingSock because it’s called the day 2 test so you are meant to do it on day 2. Why would you decide to do it day 0?

IsabellesMissingSock · 06/08/2021 13:03

[quote Blessex]@IsabellesMissingSock because it’s called the day 2 test so you are meant to do it on day 2. Why would you decide to do it day 0?[/quote]
Because you can take any time between day 0 and 3, that's why.

Blessex · 06/08/2021 13:03

And the reason to do it on day 2 after return is to pick up if you caught Covid during your travels. You would have done a test before being allowed to travel. Day 2 picks up if you caught it while travelling. There is zero downside to doing it day 2 so why mess up the system ?

IsabellesMissingSock · 06/08/2021 13:03

0 and 2 even

IsabellesMissingSock · 06/08/2021 13:04

@Blessex

And the reason to do it on day 2 after return is to pick up if you caught Covid during your travels. You would have done a test before being allowed to travel. Day 2 picks up if you caught it while travelling. There is zero downside to doing it day 2 so why mess up the system ?
The fact remains, day 2 is the latest day to do it. Not the only day to do it. Ergo doing it on arrival at the airport is perfectly within the rules.
IsabellesMissingSock · 06/08/2021 13:06

www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england#rules-if-you-are-not-fully-vaccinated govt guidance here. "On or before day 2".

Fbnewsjp · 17/08/2021 08:45

What happens if you don’t take the test?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page