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Original poster

Arriving in UK and then driving to destination

45 replies

BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 20:57

Does anyone understand what the rule is for this?

We live abroad and generally drive home. Haven't been home in over 2 years now. Our families live in the Midlands, so we would get ferry or tunnel and then stop off at least once, usually twice on the way up. We have small kids so they would need a bit of a run around not to mention we all need a wee and something to eat.

I understand that with the current rules all of us over the age of 4 need to take a PCR test and quarantine in the place we're staying until that comes back negative.

Does that mean we are not allowed to stop off on the way? I can't see how we could avoid doing this. If that is the case then I think we won't be able to come unless that requirement is dropped again :(

OP posts:
plantastic · 03/12/2021 06:09

I was wondering what would happen if you got a T&T contact from the flight after you had tested negative. We're flying into London and plan to spend about 5 days there (day 0 tests on arrival). I'm not 100% sure where we are staying after that (one or other parent then on to somewhere for Xmas at 12 days). Is it mandatory to stay in the same place for 10 days? If you're out of initial quarantine how does anyone know where you are?

We can stay in London, and we are not planning on skipping out on quarantine, I was just wondering how it's enforceable?

maddy68 · 03/12/2021 06:28

You are allowed to drive to your destination. You could also get a test near the port on arrival with same day results. I did that on Tuesday at the destination airport. Test results were back in an hour (they guaranteed 3hrs). By the time I had driven to my mum's I had the results so no quarrantine

Original poster
BertieBotts · 03/12/2021 07:30

I didn't know you could pick up the tests at services/near ports so that might be helpful.

I know the instructions say you are allowed to leave your accommodation to post or pick up your test if nobody can do it for you, and you can leave to get food if you can't get it delivered.

It just seems to be geared up with the idea you'll obviously live in and around London and be staying with family! Unfortunately there's nobody that we can stay with as they don't have room.

I do think once you've got your negative test you can do whatever you like.

OP posts:
Original poster
BertieBotts · 03/12/2021 07:31

I thought PCR tests were 24 hours though? How can you get one done in an hour?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 03/12/2021 07:35

Depends who does the test as to how long they've take to come back. Do you not have to book and pay for the test before you travel? You could research where the best place for testing would be.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 03/12/2021 07:37

@BertieBotts

I thought PCR tests were 24 hours though? How can you get one done in an hour?
Because they are substantially more expensive!
dementedpixie · 03/12/2021 07:39

The faster the results the more expensive the test is!

notimagain · 03/12/2021 07:53

@plantastic

I was wondering what would happen if you got a T&T contact from the flight after you had tested negative. We're flying into London and plan to spend about 5 days there (day 0 tests on arrival). I'm not 100% sure where we are staying after that (one or other parent then on to somewhere for Xmas at 12 days). Is it mandatory to stay in the same place for 10 days? If you're out of initial quarantine how does anyone know where you are?

We can stay in London, and we are not planning on skipping out on quarantine, I was just wondering how it's enforceable?

Rules for post arrival quarantine updated 30th Nov state:

“……You must quarantine in one place for the full quarantine period…” (with the caveat that you are allowed on overnight stop whilst traveling to place of quarantine..)

www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england

..and yes, as BertieBotts says many of the rules set seem to assume the traveller has permanent accommodation in the UK..what happens in reality. ????

ferretface · 03/12/2021 08:45

Of course you can, just be sensible, wear a good quality mask and minimise contacts with others as far as possible.

Hairbrush123 · 03/12/2021 09:43

These rules the government have been made deliberately vague so you can interpret it in your own way. You can stop but try and avoid contact

superram · 03/12/2021 10:00

Come, you’ll be fine.

jgw1 · 03/12/2021 10:48

*Rules for post arrival quarantine updated 30th Nov state:

“……You must quarantine in one place for the full quarantine period…” (with the caveat that you are allowed on overnight stop whilst traveling to place of quarantine..)

www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england

..and yes, as BertieBotts says many of the rules set seem to assume the traveller has permanent accommodation in the UK..what happens in reality. ????*

That's fine, but you have to ask yourself. "What would Boris do?"

jgw1 · 03/12/2021 10:49

@Hairbrush123

These rules the government have been made deliberately vague so you can interpret it in your own way. You can stop but try and avoid contact
It is good to see that they are learning. Vague rules mean that it is harder for us to be sure that they are breaking them.
MaxNormal · 03/12/2021 10:57

No need to overthink it.
We'll also be arriving on a ferry from an EU destination, we'll stop one night and also get some food essentials then arrive home the day after. All within guidelines.

plantastic · 03/12/2021 15:30

It says quarantine ends when you get a negative test though. You can't simultaneously have ended quarantine and be in quarantine...given the time taken to test, if you get a test on day 0 and next day results, there will likely be people on your flight who test on day 2 by post. By which point you could be anywhere 🤷‍♀️

jgw1 · 03/12/2021 16:29

@plantastic

It says quarantine ends when you get a negative test though. You can't simultaneously have ended quarantine and be in quarantine...given the time taken to test, if you get a test on day 0 and next day results, there will likely be people on your flight who test on day 2 by post. By which point you could be anywhere 🤷‍♀️
Don't worry about being anywhere. The sophisticated and excellent value for billions of pounds Track and Trace system will have that covered.
Sgtmajormummy · 03/12/2021 18:43

Well, we’re at our destination. The service station toilet breaks showed us that people are getting on with their lives, wearing masks and not.
I expected our Passenger Location Forms to be scrutinized more closely but the passport number obviously ticked the box for a PCR being booked and they let us through with no comments.
Two “BTW” points. The only Gatwick Covid test center with signposts is the NHS one. Our private one was 10 minutes away on the perimeter road.
And today was the first time in 40+!years of travelling in Europe that my British passport got a stamp on it…

Sgtmajormummy · 04/12/2021 13:47

Our results arrived at 11am so we’re free to go!
We would have spent the morning relaxing anyway, so apart from the expense (ouch!) it was relatively painless.

percythewitch · 04/12/2021 14:43

Glad you made it safely @Sgtmajormummy.

I reckon that the ability to turn results around in a few hours will become the norm before Christmas, and fingers crossed the eye-watering prices will start to drop. Even if they don't, it will be worth every last penny to be able to spend Christmas with my children and grand-children.

Original poster
BertieBotts · 04/12/2021 19:11

That's great Sgt major :) thanks for the update.

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