Holidays abroad / PCR tests. What's the deal?

[StressyMcStressFace]

Have seen a perfect holiday in Portugal at end of June but as far as I can see all the required PCR tests (as things stand atm) would cost over £500! (4 people). Can this be this right? I have googled and googled and fallen down a rabbit Warren of confusion .

Is it worth booking holiday now and fet the good price in the hope that the pcr requirement may be eased by June do you think?

Interested in your thoughts and if there's any way around not having to pay £500 on PCR tests!

I wouldn’t except PCR test rules to be gone by June. I think you need to be prepared for (but not expect) test before departure and after arrivals in both directions and the possibility of isolating in destination or at home.

We went on holiday with TUI last year and they had an arrangement with Chromatics so we only paid £20pp for the required LFT and PCR.

I don't think the testing requirements will remain as they are until June . It's the PCR tests that are the really costly ones and when things had calmed down a bit in Sep/Oct all that was required for UK reentry was a lateral flow test once you'd got back.

Travel industry cannot survive as many people not booking or cancelling due to testing costs - and implications of a positive abroad - so I'd be very surprised if it's still like this later in the year, unless there's a new variant.

I believe the testing requirements are up for review some time this week. Obviously, that doesn't tell you what will or will not be required in June, but I'd like to think that by then, proof of vaccination will be sufficient for travel within Europe. But who knows with this virus?

We have no idea what the situation will be in June OP. By then, most testing could be done away with, for all we know. So you takes your chances - or you don't!

We were the same as pp. we went with tui and through them chronomics for the tests. It was £20 each for an lft to do before departure and the pcr to take on day 2. See if you find a company that maybe is doing a deal with a testing company. £500 is astronomical and there’s no way of knowing what will happen with testing in the summer. I’d like to think it would all be scrapped by then but who knows

Theres reports that the UK pre entry tests might go this week...

No one can predict what June might be like. Our recent holiday went from no tests, to LFT on return, to PCR before and after, to PCR before, LFT there, PCR after, to original flight being changed to a different country and just needing the LFT and PCr on return, all in he month leading up to it.

(And lots of bad mentions on Chronomics on Mumsnet...)

I would book it now, I sincerely hope we are in a better position come spring and holidays will be snapped up and prices will rise. You can get PCR tests for holidays for £20 each, but it obviously will depend on where you are going and what the countries requirements are. Also make sure if you book, that you have covid cover with insurance. We have a UK holiday booked for early July, just because the last 2 summers the prices rocketed so much very quickly.

Depending where you live, Randox offer an excellent service. For £34.99 you pick up a test kit (click and collect) then you drop the test back into their collection box (we did it on the way back from the airport on day 0 after returning to the UK). The results came within 24 hours both times we used the service.

Thank you all very interesting replies. I'm sort of of thinking that as soon as they ease the restrictions holiday prices will rocket so that's why I'm wondering if its worth taking the gamble now. --or if my dream of a vast penthouse apartment with rooftop pool and stunning views across the algarve will remain just that - a dream

Good advice re covid insurance cover tho

For those saying that the pre-entry rests might be reviewed this week... Where have you heard this? (I've tried googling!)

We're currently considering pushing our Feb half term holiday (booked pre-Omicron) back to later this year due to the pre-entry test (introduced after we'd booked), but will hold off if this is true!

Staysure insurance is good value and covers you if you have to cancel due to covid.
How many people are travelling and what ages? I would go for it, I think prices will rise and nearer the time depending in what's still in place testing wise you could find cheaper options.

Cant see or guess what the requirements will be in June, but that dies sound expensive. We travelled in 2021 and tests we're not that expensive. 1st time we lat flow on holiday and day 2 pcr on return, after that wss just day 2 pcr on return (both double jabbed).
Shop around, we paid £29 for lat flow and done via video/photo and pcr were about £40 each

Second Randox if you want a quick release from isolation. That said, I think PCR requirement will be gone by June as it was re-implemented due to Omicron and not relevant now it’s predominant here. It’s not good for the travel industry. Who can say what’s next though

I wonder how many people have phoned up 2 days before their holiday saying oh I've a bit of a cough could I have a pcr test please Not that I'd ever stoop to such levels ofc

NHS PCR and lateral flow tests aren’t accepted for travel.

They are scrapping pre departure tests this week apparently for returning to England, it’s on BBC and sky news pages. Day 2 PCRs will not still be in place in June they scrapped them in October so they will be scrapped again they are a pointless money making exercise for Boris and his mates anyway! Book your holiday OP

@Katie517

They are scrapping pre departure tests this week apparently for returning to England, it’s on BBC and sky news pages. Day 2 PCRs will not still be in place in June they scrapped them in October so they will be scrapped again they are a pointless money making exercise for Boris and his mates anyway! Book your holiday OP

I'm on it

If you're on FB a great site for nearer the time is Covid 19 Travel Test and Advice, lots of useful help on filling in the forms

One of the major suppliers of PCR tests was paying a consultancy fee to Owen Paterson. I wonder if the government attitude will change given he is no longer an MP.

The £500 figure is no surprise to me.

@StressyMcStressFace Seeing as they aren't accepted for travel, zero persons

I think it's far too early to say anything about what situation will be in June.
Only 6 weeks ago we had never heard of omicron (which originated in South Africa in their summer) and I was feeling reasonably confident about booking a winter holiday and look how things have changed so quickly.
6 months away🤷🏼‍♀️

They are scrapping pre departure tests this week apparently for returning to England, it’s on BBC and sky news pages

I can’t find anything for this. Could you link please if you still have it ?

@Katie517

I can't see anything on BBC or Sky.

Can you post a link please?

Also can't see a thing on BBC or SKY