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Original poster

Test to enter the UK

83 replies

Florelei · 04/12/2021 18:31

Hello, does anyone know if the new rules on having to take a pre departure test mean you have to take a PCR test or an antigen before you fly to the U.K.?

I’m due to fly to Spain in the next few days and need some clarity. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
buddhasbelly · 05/12/2021 00:48

Thanks @HaveringWavering and sorry you're having to cancel.

Whilst I could (with current Canadian guidelines) quarantine at my brother's, there's nothing to say that won't change. And the extra 8+ days quarantining in Canada means a lot of additional expenses, worry in case travel insurance don't pay up to rebook flight.

I realise all of the above is based on if I had a positive test in canada on departure but it just feels like too great a risk.

A 4 year wait to see my bro (covid and other things meant 4 years) so I guess I can wait a bit longer.

I really feel for the travel industry (not ignoring how many have suffered loss through covid) it must be incredibly hard to keep a travel business afloat at this point.

buddhasbelly · 05/12/2021 00:49

Oh and my flights were early Jan so can't see these temporary restrictions bering lifted by then. So all in all seems better to cancel and rebook later in the year.

RunningFromInsanity · 05/12/2021 00:51

We heard this news as we were boarding our flight home today. Very lucky with our timings!
Just had to do the day 2 test and isolate until the regulars come back.

buddhasbelly · 05/12/2021 01:00

@RunningFromInsanity glad you're back safe!

maddy68 · 05/12/2021 01:04

I few yesterday. Got a test at the airport in arival results in an hour therefore no quarrantine but I believe they're changing again on Wednesday

WinnerofDecember · 05/12/2021 08:17

@maddy68 - what is changing on Wednesday? Testing period?

Mifacagare · 05/12/2021 09:33

@maddy68

I few yesterday. Got a test at the airport in arival results in an hour therefore no quarrantine but I believe they're changing again on Wednesday
@maddy68 can you tell me what Is what is changing? I'm due to fly to UK soon and any changes (in quarantine?) might result in me having to call off my trip. I'm aware of the new rule sot test before flying and the day 2 pcr, but I haven't heard of any other changes
notimagain · 05/12/2021 09:36

@maddy68

Got a test at the airport in arival results in an hour therefore no quarrantine

On the assumption this is a UK airport that’s v impressive…without asking you to out yourself can I ask which airport, which PCR test provider?

BTW I’ve not heard of any changes due on Wednesday but given recent events?

Zippy1510 · 05/12/2021 09:45

We are (hopefully) flying to the USA in 9 days with a 8 month and 4 y old. We have supervised pre departure antigen tests to get into the states, unsupervised lateral flows to do 3-5 days post arrival, unsupervised lateral flows with fit to fly certificate to return and then the PCR day two tests once we are back. I don’t really see the point in the unsupervised antigen tests- people will clearly just not swab and use the liquid to get a control line!

Loncan · 05/12/2021 10:00

@Zippy1510 Did you order your unsupervised lateral flows with the fit to fly certificate for your return to bring with you, or are you doing them in the states? If you ordered them here, do you mind me asking from where? I’m also (hopefully) travelling next week.

Zippy1510 · 05/12/2021 10:09

I’m taking them with me. It’s the randox ones where you use their app to scan the results in and they send you a for to fly certificate. They seem cheaper than getting them there.

Zippy1510 · 05/12/2021 10:10

You can also click and collect randox tests from lots of locations so no waiting anxiously by the letter box!

Itscoldouthere · 05/12/2021 10:38

@buddhasbelly re coming to Canada ( I live there and have uk family due for Christmas). You would currently need 4 tests in total, pre flight PCR to enter Canada, test on arrival in Canada at airport, or they will give you a test to do at home (airports are still working this out) this test is currently free.
PCR/lateral flow before getting your flight back to UK, pre booked day 2 test in UK.
In Canada and UK you need to isolate whilst you wait for your result.
Obviously there is the risk of catching Covid and having to quarantine, but it’s the same for anyone going anywhere, but currently Covid rates are much lower in Canada than the UK and many states have stricter rules, I live in Montreal, we have Covid passports for restaurants, bars, venues and masks are worn everywhere.
I think you just have to decide if you want to travel or not, I don’t think it’s going to be without some worry for a long time. Good luck deciding what to do.

buddhasbelly · 05/12/2021 10:47

@Itscoldouthere thank you so so much for this reply and very helpful explanation.

My brother's job means he doesn't get much time off so postponing would mean not really knowing when I'd get to see him.

If it was just a holiday I'd probably cancel for all the hassle but really want to meet my niece. I'll give him a phone when a reasonable hour in Montreal.

Again thank you so much for your response Flowers

FannyCann · 05/12/2021 10:58

DD is flying in from Spain on 21 December so I'm looking to book her day two test as a walk in, there's no point posting a test two days before Christmas. Found somewhere fairly close, £69 so all good.

I'm just wondering though, her flight is due in at 23:30 so if it is delayed then she will land on 22nd so technically that will make her day two 24th not 23rd?

Not sure now whether to book her test for 23 or 24?

buddhasbelly · 05/12/2021 11:33

@FannyCann the day 2 test needs to be any time on or before the 2nd day after arrival so I you book on the 23rd then its comfortably within the time frame.

Britneyb · 05/12/2021 12:00

@InCahootswithOrwell we went away in the summer and ours were unsupervised lateral flow tests to return to the UK, self administered in our hotel room, a photo of the test result had to be sent to the testing company but the tests weren’t supervised. According to gov.uk this hasn’t changed. I’ve already seen suggestions that you could take nhs tests with you and if negative take all the tests for everyone in your party then report them all as negative. We didn’t do that because I quite fancied the 2 weeks in a hotel room, reading and relaxing overlooking the ocean which was covered by our travel provider!

WhatHaveIFound · 05/12/2021 12:12

[quote Minorissue]**@Iamanicepersonreally* @WhatHaveIFound* the gov uk website says the requirements for PCR before coming to uk and 2 day test don’t apply to those coming from Ireland and Channel Islands unless you’ve also been in another country within 10 days of arrival[/quote]
Thanks. DH will be on 9 days but we've already had negative Day 2 pcr tests for that trip.

Ryanair says he now needs a test to go to Ireland so he's going to time that so that if they ask for one on the return the same one is still valid.

Work travel is so stressful, I can't imagine what holidays are like at the moment!

WhatHaveIFound · 05/12/2021 12:16

@FannyCann

DD is flying in from Spain on 21 December so I'm looking to book her day two test as a walk in, there's no point posting a test two days before Christmas. Found somewhere fairly close, £69 so all good.

I'm just wondering though, her flight is due in at 23:30 so if it is delayed then she will land on 22nd so technically that will make her day two 24th not 23rd?

Not sure now whether to book her test for 23 or 24?

It's day 2 or before so you could book one for the afternoon of the 22nd. We've just used ExpressTest for Day 2 pcrs. Tested at 10.30am (flight arrived the previous evening) and results received at 8.30pm the following day. Friends who tested at 3pm also had results at the same time as us.
WeGoHigh · 05/12/2021 12:30

Does anyone know the quickest way to get hold of a lateral flow test needed for return to the UK? I go away at the end of the week and wanted to take one with me rather than attempt to get one abroad but worried about one arriving in time!

oneglassandpuzzled · 05/12/2021 12:33

DOes anyone know the revised or not rules for people who've had covid withint 90 days of travelling? My son has a letter from his GP with the dates of his covid infection and 119 told him that he doesn't need to take tests to reenter England on 15 December. But I can't find that written down anywhere on gov.uk.

oneglassandpuzzled · 05/12/2021 12:37

Oh, and he is fully vaccinated and has had his booster, too. Thanks to anyone who can help!

Cookerhood · 05/12/2021 12:38

@WeGoHigh you can get one from Randox. In the summer & autumn they came really quickly but if you are worried they do click & collect as well.

WeGoHigh · 05/12/2021 12:52

@Cookerhood thank you! Unfortunately I don’t live near enough to click and collect but if they come quickly I might just risk it and hope for the best!

FannyCann · 05/12/2021 12:58

Thanks @buddhasbelly