Govt 'approved' lateral flow tests

[itsnotmeitsu]

I realise I'm a bit behind the game, as the rules have changed again. However, I spent a few days in Paris a couple of weeks ago, travelling by Eurostar. In order to do this I had to have proof of being doubly vaccinated, and fill in a passenger locator form. This form required a unique number from a LFT taken and recorded within two days of returning.

What my bugbear is; we originally ordered the LFT from the NHS (free), but on further reading I found that the NHS tests weren't approved by our government for this purpose. So we ordered 'Government approved' LFTs from a list, which cost £18 for each one. The lateral flow tests were the exactly the same as the NHS ones [Flowflex,made in China I think], so why the heck are the NHS ones not on the government approved list for travel outside the country? Or do I maybe know the answer to that?

As the government doesn’t fund peoples travel

Three things

1. the LFTs used for travel have some sort of verification by the company that provides them. This ranges from them watching you do the test by video, to a rather more basic checking a photo of your test and sending a certificate. So, there is some extra cost attached to this.

2. The NHS tests are provided free to encourage people to test themselves before going to school, work, on public transport etc ie to protect others. Not to enable you to go on holiday. Lots of countries don’t have free LFTs

3. “do I maybe know the answer” you may well be right

The NHS cannot afford to pay for tests so people can travel.

Why should someone on a very low but taxed wage subsidise your optional travel?

It’s the same reason you get childhood/teenage vaccinations on the NHS but not ones for travel. There’s no responsibility to pay for individuals personal travel choices out of public funds. You don’t get a passport funded either.