Ds shares a student flat and is coming home for xmas for a few days...

[ssd]

Should he take a test before coming home?

Shares a flat with one other person but they see friends in other flats

If he/you can afford it, why not?

If he’s asymptomatic, he won’t be eligible for a free NHS test, so if he can’t afford a private test you’ll have to pay if you insist

Yes I'll pay

Isn’t his university supplying free tests?

Both my DCs have had PCR tests before coming home.

If someone is incubating the virus, a negative test doesn’t rule out the possibility that they may develop symptoms in the following days though. Having said that, I would probably still have my DC come home. ( Obviously unless the result was positive!).

All universities have been providing free tests to students to enable them to go home for Christmas. In our area there was a staggered return the first week in December. Students are also being tested on their return.

My DD in similar situation. She and housemates have been isolating (ie not going out anywhere) for a week before they come home. They’ve not been in any body else’s house all term abd are in tier 3 so not been at the pub for weeks. They are not getting tested but it is offered by the uni, because as PP has said it’s only good for the day it’s taken in any event. They have modified their behaviour instead.