Arriving in UK evening of 24th Dec

[saltedcaramelanything]

...so fine, can have a pcr test ordered and ready to take on the 25th. But with all the bank holidays, the test wouldn't be collected until the 29th - probably getting to a lab 30/31st. Surely the test will be invalid by then?

Has anyone figured out how to manage it?

No, but I’m a withering about coming home to the U.K. for a flying visit for the same reason.

*swithering 🙄

I would get a test in the airport when you land, if you're willing to pay ££££ you will get it back within 24 hours.

@valnevavaxx Land late in the evening, so the airport clinics are all closed by then

I think I've figured it out though - with a clinic we can go to first thing on the 26th (so within the 2 days) and get results back within 24hrs. £70/test. @AgentProvocateur

I read that randox were working all days over Xmas (I have son flying in so was researching). Hope they don't change rules again its already changed from test on arrival then two days later test before flying too. Its going to be a very expensive Xmas!

Are you able to completely isolate from when you land till The 26th or 27th?
Because those are the rules

@Mossstitch The problem is Royal Mail working dates, rather than the labs.

@2WeeksTillChristmas I understand the rules, hence why I'm asking the question.

@saltedcaramelanything randox don't use postboxes they have drop boxes (the ones near me are outside pharmacies nearest about 3 miles away). Their website says they are emptied every day including xmas/bank Holidays. My son also arrives late after the ones at the airport are closed, they don't make it easy do they. Ridiculous rules anyway when omicrom already here, doesn't prove anything could be positive 5 minutes after taking test and on the plane 48 hours later🤷 some people at work didn't even get the results! If your worried I'd get some free lateral flow tests in for your own peace of mind in case it all goes wrong.

We have a similar problem and will drive to our nearest airport to take the test (even though arriving by car) as we’re hoping that’ll be quickest considering posting…

We're doing airport tests but have a mid-day arrival slot.

Most people I know who are travelling at the moment are doing the same.

Pointless, would be much better to take one a few days later given that we'll all be negative to get into the plane but we'll exploit the loophole whilst it's there

Nothing happens if you don’t send your test back in time, or even if you don’t take it at all.

Obviously for your own peace of mind it might be nice to know, but please don’t worry about trying to get the test back to the test company within a certain time frame, literally no-one cares. Crazy but true.

@Blackbird2020 exactly! Which is why it’s a joke, all they care about is that you write the test number on the locator form no one checks if you actually do it and no one checks if you are isolating, this isn’t managed by T&T so no one actually even knows if you have been away. The passenger locator forms haven’t been checked on all 3 of my abroad trips in the last 6 months. It’s all a money making exercise for Boris and his mates.

We had the police come and check if we were home after one of our trips but that's when you had to isolate at home and could get early release.

Book the test for home delivery, then just enjoy your Xmas. No need to race around the country looking for an open test site! Stick it in the postbox on Day 2 and then forget about it!

We arrived home 2am. Did pcr test next morning and dropped it off at Randox drop box. Results back at 8am next morning. Obviously Christmas day might add a day but info should be on their website. Was about £45 each.

Crap, I just double checked the website I’ve booked our day 2 PCRs through, and it says they’re not available over Christmas. So why have they taken our money then! Thanks for posting OP, that would have been a nasty surprise on return!

Thanks for posting that @Mossstitch - once I did some more digging some Randox boxes will continue to be checked/processed over Christmas (though not all). I've found one that we can drop off Christmas, hopefully will be back with results by 26/27th.