Why get a pcr?

[Wingingit15]

Can I just check, why are people still getting pcrs? Aren’t lfts enough now?
Not being flippant - genuinely interested as we are a covid house atm and just working on lfts.

@coffeebabes

NHS staff need to get one to prove they have it to have time off work with it

This

My husband has covid . He got a positive LFT and took a PCR because we have a few trips coming up in the next few months that require either a negative pcr test to travel OR proof of covid. As you can still show up positive on a pcr up to 90 days after covid we need proof that he has had covid and a lot of countries don’t accept LFT as this proof .

If my son gets covid his nursery ask for a pcr( at least for the time being . I’m sure that will change by April ). So that’s another reason .

I get a PCR every month for the ONS Covid tracking study. Were it not for that I'd never have even known I had Covid as it picked up an asymptomatic infection which no LFD test showed.

I like to get a PCR before visiting elderly/vulnerable relatives.

Have been testing positive on LFTs since last August. I know that PCRs are also not foolproof but at least I feel I have done everything I can before visiting. Never had a positive PCR.

Would also state that I have only done this 6 times in 9 months so don't feel I am taking up excessive resources.

@BigRedDuck

I didn't think we could get PCRs anymore!

Freely available until April.

Some people need them to provide more concrete proof to their employers, to access sickness pay etc. as LFTs are self reported.

Some need them to access a Covid Recovery certificate if going abroad - if they aren't vaccinated, or if they are potentially liable to test positive in a travel PCR.

You did need them to access antivirals though it seems this requirement has now been removed fortunately.

And obviously paid for PCRs are still needed to travel to some countries.