Is it a legal requirement to do a PCR test if you have been told you are a contact of someone who has tested positive?

[soredust]

It is not clear on the new guidance for omicron, whether if you are named as a contact you are legally required to do a PCR test now?

Does anyone know?

Not to test, but you certainly can be compelled to isolate.

Nope

Why wouldn't you though

I thought you had to do a lateral flow test daily in lieu of isolating

My ds is currently isolating after testing positive on LFT and then PCR. We are testing daily on LFT. I don't understand why I would need a PCR to confirm it if I tested positive. I would isolate for ten days regardless. I haven't yet met someone who has had a positive LFT that hasnt come back positive on PCR so providing that you do isolate and you don't need evidence of a PCR for work/school or whatever I can't see why you'd need to confirm it. Especially if you've been living with someone who is positive.

The guidance changed with regard to close contacts of Omicron cases. My understanding is 10 days of daily LFTs and if LFT is positive then PCR.

My workplace is asking for PCR and 10 days of daily LFTs though.

@CheesyFootballsAreEvil

Why wouldn't you though

If you are isolating anyway what difference does it make?

If you officially have it then it's easier to access help if you get long covid. And also if you test positive you don't have to test for 90 days after that and get all the vaccine passport stuff.

Also if you end up in hospital with it it's one less test for them to have to do they can put you straight on the covid pathway

If you are isolating anyway what difference does it make?

I would just want to know out of curiosity.

@matildathebookworm

My ds is currently isolating after testing positive on LFT and then PCR. We are testing daily on LFT. I don't understand why I would need a PCR to confirm it if I tested positive. I would isolate for ten days regardless. I haven't yet met someone who has had a positive LFT that hasnt come back positive on PCR so providing that you do isolate and you don't need evidence of a PCR for work/school or whatever I can't see why you'd need to confirm it. Especially if you've been living with someone who is positive.

Me.

4 positive lateral flows, 2 inconclusive pcr and 1 neg pcr.

I'm isolating for 10 days regardless. 1 false positive would be odd. 4? Do me a lemon.

I seen this question asked a few times, do people really think that you can be forced by law to take a test?

There are all kinds of reasons to do a test but it being against the law not to isn't one of them

The nearest drive through test centre to me is also about 40 minutes away. Wouldn't fancy driving that if I was already feeling rough just to be told something I already know when im going to isolate anyway.

@matildathebookworm

The nearest drive through test centre to me is also about 40 minutes away. Wouldn't fancy driving that if I was already feeling rough just to be told something I already know when im going to isolate anyway.

You'd just get a postal one though? And they can come to your house to collect it if you can't get out.

There is absolutely no reason not to get one. It gives you something to do during isolation for a start. Helps them monitor the spread.

No, you aren't legally required. People seem to want to answer a different question.

Depends where you are. Scotland yes (if you want to go out) England no. Not sure about the other uk countries

I know what you are saying as I had the same thought. But a PCR means you talk to Test and Trace which is not the best experience but they are at least collecting data on symptoms which will probably be useful when it comes to the new variant. And also ethnicity etc.

But no you aren’t required to I don’t believe.

*4 positive lateral flows, 2 inconclusive pcr and 1 neg pcr.

I'm isolating for 10 days regardless. 1 false positive would be odd. 4? Do me a lemon.*

Presuming they're all from the same batch it could be a dodgy batch of lfts.

It is important to get a PCR as it means they can track infections and infection rates, sequence the virus to learn about new variants and understand more about the virus. Imagine if no one bothered getting a PCR? The data would be completely misleading.

If you don't care about the benefits to society, as other people have said it may be important to have on your medical records, it may mean you can access the right treatment quicker if you need it, and you may need it for future travel/social reasons.

@musicalfrog

*4 positive lateral flows, 2 inconclusive pcr and 1 neg pcr.

I'm isolating for 10 days regardless. 1 false positive would be odd. 4? Do me a lemon.*

Presuming they're all from the same batch it could be a dodgy batch of lfts.

3 different packets.....

No close contacts don't legally have to get a test or isolate anymore. The PCR test is advisory and if you do have a test you don't have to isolate until the result comes. You have to isolate if it's suspected Omicron whether you decide to test or not. I'm not sure if I also read that if you are a close contact of a suspected Omicron then you have to keep isolating even if your result is negative.