Do I lie to get lateral flow tests...?

[PurpleLostPrincess]

Just that really - DD(14) and I currently have covid, PCR results came yesterday. We will need a box next weekend in order to do the 2 days in a row tests to (hopefully!) come out of isolation. Website says you can't have any if you have symptoms or have been told to isolate 🙄... which we have of course!

I did order a box to collect from my local pharmacy when they open tomorrow, but obviously can't collect it now as I'm isolating! 🤨

Yes.

Was in this situation last week and just clicked that we have no symptoms, no one checks or cares and I think the wording is more to reiterate that you are to pcr for symptoms and not ltf.

I would lie as it sounds as though the website needs updating!

Yes, as usual the instructions haven't been changed so that we can follow the guidance. We needed 35 tests over Christmas. That was a challenge.

I wouldnt thik twice about ordering some, of course you need them if you want to try for 7 day isolation assuming you are in England

Website clearly not been updated. You are now supposed to use lateral flow tests to see if you can stop isolating. Obviously you should order them!

Yes, we were in the same situation and just clicked no symptoms.

I would as you need to get some and this is the safest way of doing that.

I would - you are using them for their intended purpose, not instead of a pcr for diagnosis.

I think it means don’t substitute a LFT f you’ve got symptoms rather than you’re not allowed them.

Can someone pick up from the pharmacy for you?

The website is so out of date now for the current symptoms and to do lateral flows is part of the process now to ease your length of isolation. I would say no and just order them.

Thanks for replies, will go ahead and order now.

I'm now tempted to ring the chemist in the week as they may be happy to deliver if I ask nicely (I know the pharmacist and we're literally just around the corner from them!) 😬 no idea why I didn't think of that before posting, I'm still in a bit of a fizzle lol! 🥴🤦🏼‍♀️

Ì doubt you'll be able to order LFTs online at present. I've tried several times over the past few days. Each time it allows me to enter all my details, but then tells me there are none available!

I've not got past entering my details either

It's gone through so I'm assuming they will arrive at some point in the week... we're in Hampshire if it helps.

I had tried to order before Christmas but they didn't have any, hence why I got the code for picking up from the chemist. Were you given that option at least?

@LilyPond2

Ì doubt you'll be able to order LFTs online at present. I've tried several times over the past few days. Each time it allows me to enter all my details, but then tells me there are none available!

Yep. Same. I've been trying for the past week. We've run out and children are supposed to test before returning to school 🤷

@PurpleLostPrincess

It's gone through so I'm assuming they will arrive at some point in the week... we're in Hampshire if it helps.

I had tried to order before Christmas but they didn't have any, hence why I got the code for picking up from the chemist. Were you given that option at least?

Shortly before Christmas I tried a couple of pharmacies and both had signs up in their windows saying they were out of LFTs. Haven't tried any pharmacies since Christmas.

I managed to order some today (midday ish) but you have to get lucky & try at just the right moment. I don't as just reading in the Guardian that the company that distributes them to pharmacies had a massive delivery on Christmas Eve & then closed until 29th, which is why pharmacies couldn't get any.

Don't as = was

Yep. Same. I've been trying for the past week. We've run out and children are supposed to test before returning to school

If you go on a few times a day you generally find stocks are then back on at some point during that day or the next.
I ordered some Christmas Eve and I was also able to order some last Friday at 7:30am.

Just tried again online, but still no luck.

Just to say that the code for picking up a pack from your local chemist doesn’t reserve you a pack - you still have to find a chemist who actually has stock, and then give them your code. So you might easily turn up at your chemists with your code, and they have no pack for you.

Can you get a friend to pick up a pack from a chemist, using your code? I’d definitely ring round chemists in advance to ask them if they have them in stock, to save a wasted trip.

There's an account on Twitter called LFT_ alert which posts when you can order them for delivery.

twitter.com/LFT_alert

It usually seems to be around 7.15am, 12.15pm and 4.15pm

Definitely worth following if you are having trouble getting hold of them.

Yes - I have found that availability suddenly appears at just after midday.

When does your child’s school go back? Is it tomorrow? You could ask a friend of hers to drop a box around from school.