Travelling abroad with an under 18 who's recently had Covid

[HarrogateMum]

I have googled extensively and cannot find the answer to my question so wondering if any of you wise ones have any words of advice!

Going abroad at half term to Spain - me, DH, our three teenagers, two of whom are 16 and had 1 jab, 1 is 14 so no jabs. We are also taking our 14 year old's best friend.

Fly in the ointment, 14 year old's friend came out if isolation after having Covid yesterday. The kids PCR tests for travel are all booked for three days before we fly. But people keep telling me she can't have another PCR test for 90 days after having Covid. But she has to have one and it has to be negative for her to travel?

Also given it's so soon after she's had it obviously it may be positive which will mean she can't come with us. Or is there any documentation to say you've recently recovered from it? I suspect that would be asking for the moon on a stick!

Any words of advice gratefully received!

All I know is it is very likely to be positive again. She may not be able to go. Unless you can use proof off recent infection which I’ve heard can be possible?

Looks like you can get a covid pass after recovering?

We went to Spain and had to do a PCR test when we came back as Spain was still on the amber list. DC had COVID 6 weeks before and her PCR test came back positive. Track & Trace insisted that she had to do another 10 days isolation.

And you can't get a COVID pass for under 18s!

Oh right sorry

How did you manage to get to Spain in the first place?

Maybe ring 119 for advice?

You can take the PCR for travel but it might come back positive. But I believe you can use a certificate of recovery to enter Spain. You can ask PCR test providers about it.

Spain won’t accept the certificate that says you’ve had covid- unlike some other countries. You HAVE to be either fully vaccinated or have a negative PCR within 72 hours.
Not true you can’t have a pcr test within 90 days.
You are right in that if they have a test and it comes back positive she can’t go!
( but I know lots who have had positive PCRs recently and negative ones a couple of weeks later..)

Spain won't accept recent infection and recovery. I'm sorry to say unless friend has a negative PCR they won't be going.
Still worth a shot because as I understand it a positive result isn't a certainty with recent infection.

And I think I'd be more concerned about the LTF being positive when they return (assuming under 18s and unvaccinated still have to test to return)

@drivinmecrazy

And I think I'd be more concerned about the LTF being positive when they return (assuming under 18s and unvaccinated still have to test to return)

I don’t think you have to take a test before coming home, just the day 2 test now?

@drivinmecrazy

Spain won't accept recent infection and recovery. I'm sorry to say unless friend has a negative PCR they won't be going. Still worth a shot because as I understand it a positive result isn't a certainty with recent infection.

Ohhh that's disappointing. First time we have been that DD can take a friend as she gets bored with her brothers and looks like she may not be going! Fingers crossed for negative all round but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Dreamingofbeaches2022 I wasn't sure if it had changed but that's good to know.
My recent trip was without DD so didn't have to check on any changes

I've just checked the government website and it says unvaccinated must have LFT to return, so assume that still applies to under 18s but not sure.
Would love if someone could clarify cos I was thinking of taking DD2 with me at half term.

www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#travelling-with-children

Thanks to all so far- any more experiences of this please let me know!

It’s the having a PCR test so soon after infection before the child travels which put us off
Think our chances were about 20/25%
Couldn’t ask DD to self isolate again so soon if still positive

@Karwomannghia

How did you manage to get to Spain in the first place?

She had Covid four weeks before we went away. Did the isolation. Went away for a week and came back and had another positive PCR.

I know a few people who had a problem with this in the summer. They had to change to destinations that will accept a LFT as the past infection is less likely to show on one of those.

Thank you. Did she not need a negative pcr to fly to Spain though?

Does anyone know how a child of 12 can prove they've had Covid for a country that will accept the proof- France for example??

@GoingBacktoSchool123

So the pcr to go to Spain was negative? Odd!

My Ds is 17 and has a Covid proof of recovery pass code on his NHS app. Will use it to go to Greece next week.

@Chardonnay73

My Ds is 17 and has a Covid proof of recovery pass code on his NHS app. Will use it to go to Greece next week.

A 12 year can't get the pass though - its a conundrum!