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Original poster

Testing to go to Italy

17 replies

ronconcoke · 08/07/2021 16:35

Hi, so we are a family of 4 (2 kids aged 10 & under, so I understand they now only need to do the PCR test on Day 2 back in UK) hoping to fly to Italy on 2 August to see DH's family. (This is provided Italy drop their 5-day quarantine for Brits after 30th July, because if they don't, we won't be going) I am so confused about the whole testing thing.

From what I understand, DH and I (both fully vaccinated) need to provide a negative, pre-departure test taken 3 days before leaving, then another test before leaving Italy (and gov.uk says results can only be in English/Spanish/French with no translations accepted, so not sure how that's going to work...) and then all 4 of us need to do a PCR test on day 2 back in UK. I looked into the Fit 2 Fly test from Boots but £85 each sounds a lot. Packages through companies eg Randox (discount through BA) are £96 which include pre-dep testing and day 2, but we don't need the pre-dep tests for the DC. As we're staying with family we don't have a tour operator we can buy tests through at a discount.

Tbh I'm not even sure what I'm asking here. It's doing my head in already. I guess I'm trying to find the cheapest way of doing it so we don't add on a huge amount to our holiday...and we can work out if we can actually afford to go or not. Obviously I'd love to go to Italy and DH is desperate to see his family but if all the testing is too expensive/complicated I'd be perfectly happy with an Airbnb in Wales! (Our plan B!)

Any advice/words of wisdom/commiseration gratefully accepted!

OP posts:
Nootkah · 08/07/2021 17:03

Couls you book your flights with TUI? Their testing packages are excellent value - £20 per person for Green list (test to return and day 2) or £60 per person for green plus (pre departure pcr, test to return and day 2).

Original poster
ronconcoke · 08/07/2021 17:08

Sounds like a good deal, but we've already booked through BA direct so not sure it'll be worth it. Also I'm not even sure if we actually need the pre-dep tests now as fully jabbed?

OP posts:
fruitpastille · 08/07/2021 17:24

Place marking! Due to fly 31st...

Frezia · 08/07/2021 19:20

Try this article, it may answer some of your questions:

www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/holiday-vaccination-quarantine-amber-list-b1880263.html

motogogo · 08/07/2021 19:22

Italy still has quarantine for U.K. travellers, we have just cancelled

Original poster
ronconcoke · 08/07/2021 22:43

@motogogo the quarantine is until 30th July at the moment. An added issue is not knowing when/if they will decide to drop this, but for now we are assuming/hoping they will!

OP posts:
playplayplay · 09/07/2021 00:10

Hi ronconcoke. I'm currently doing the same research for a trip to the in-laws in Slovakia, same sort of rules. The fit to fly test seems to be the most expensive test out of the whole requirements, and I've so far only found £89 to be the cheapest price (there was one cheaper but the reviews were so bad I wouldn't risk it). C-19 Testing do tests from £29 which you bring with you and test yourselves (as you say, adults only) a few days before you return home and you send a photo of your results to them (other companies offer video call) and they email a certificate. For the return day 2 testing I've found Assured Screening for £49 each. I haven't used these companies yet though so I can't vouch for them. Good luck with your holiday plans, I know how confusing it is, I've just spent all my free time translating border decrees and I'm still confused.

fruitpastille · 11/07/2021 15:30

How's everyone's research? For Italy we all need an antigen test (private provider) to fly out. They can be pre booked at the airport. Also proof of double vaccination which can be a letter available via online 2weeks after 2nd jab. Then we need antigens to fly home as well as completing passenger locator forms. Then PCR tests within 2 days of return. Children under 10 are exempt from the return testing. There are so many providers that it's confusing!

Original poster
ronconcoke · 12/07/2021 13:17

@fruitpastille I thought we didn't need a test before flying out if we're fully jabbed? To be honest I'm getting nowhere with this. BA have just cancelled our outbound flights for the 2nd time (I rebooked a week later last time but can't really do it again) and who knows if they'll cancel again so it looks like we may have to cancel the holiday Sad

Has anyone else had this?

OP posts:
fruitpastille · 12/07/2021 15:54

In the article linked above it explains that you need a negative test to fly out. Italy asks for a lateral flow but it can't be a free nhs one.

Home06 · 12/07/2021 17:35

BA have cancelled our outward flight again today. Looks like they have reduced number of flights so we'll need to change dates if we want to go.
Do you think Italy will remove the need to quarantine on 30 July?

fruitpastille · 12/07/2021 19:10

We are going to try to postpone till next year. It's around £200 per person for the tests plus all the stress of something going wrong. If one of us is a close contact at the end of term we would be stuffed.

Original poster
ronconcoke · 12/07/2021 22:27

@Home06 there's just no way of knowing if Italy will drop the quarantine or not. We've asked our in-laws in Italy if they know any more but they don't. I'm sure it's not easy for Italy to decide what's best - letting more British tourists in to boost the economy and risk bringing over more covid, especially since we'll all be "free" by then, or not letting us in so easily and saving themselves from another disaster. Sorry your flights have also been cancelled, keep us posted with what you decide to do!

Ah ok thanks @fruitpastille, for some reason I thought I'd read somewhere that with the new rules if you're fully jabbed and going to an amber country you don't need a pre-dep test.

DH and I have made the decision tonight that we're not going. We're going to see if we can change our flights to October half term (but only if they're still fully cancellable/refundable then, as who knows where we will all be by then....) DH isn't happy, but what else can we do?

OP posts:
fruitpastille · 15/07/2021 12:34

Our flights are cancelled by the airline now.

Original poster
ronconcoke · 03/09/2021 07:54

Now that the quarantine has been cancelled does anyone know by any chance how to get a voucher from BA?! I applied back in July and still not received it. We'd like to try to go in October half term but can't get hold of BA to ask what's happened to our voucher!

OP posts:
Home06 · 03/09/2021 18:18

Same. I had two one way flights. I got the voucher for the return flight within hours. Still waiting for the outward flight voucher.
After not getting through on the phone, I have just logged on to my account and filled out an online complaint form with my booking ref and details.
I will see how that goes. Other option is Twitter.

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