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Original poster

Pre travel PCR tests

45 replies

freelions · 14/07/2021 16:22

Would be really useful if anyone could confirm how long they have had to wait for results from face to face 'fit to fly' covid tests

Seems ridiculous that test cannot be taken longer than 48hrs before flight but testing company says result within 24-48hr from sample reaching lab so if it takes the full 48hrs it will be too late to fly?

We are due to fly to Majorca tomorrow evening. Tests were done for my teen DC this afternoon

OP posts:

Nootkah · 16/07/2021 23:02

My sons fit to fly came back 10.02pm, so 2 minutes late, but negative and in plenty of time to fly in the morning 😊

tryingtorun · 17/07/2021 11:30

Has anyone used the Boots in store service to get a PCR test, we are flying to Portugal and we need to have a test within 72 hours? How long did take to get results back? We not near any airport.

Also another silly question, can I just check is within 72 hours of landing at your destination or departure from UK. We land in Portugal 11.10am local time depart uk 8am. Thanks

LIZS · 17/07/2021 11:36

Arrival.

tryingtorun · 17/07/2021 11:38

Thank you for the update LIZS, I'm just trying to work backwards as to the earliest time I can book the tests.

Madcats · 18/07/2021 08:02

@tryingtorun

Has anyone used the Boots in store service to get a PCR test, we are flying to Portugal and we need to have a test within 72 hours? How long did take to get results back? We not near any airport.

Also another silly question, can I just check is within 72 hours of landing at your destination or departure from UK. We land in Portugal 11.10am local time depart uk 8am. Thanks

I ordered a Boots PCR test to be done at home (organised by MyHealthCheck). You can pick them up in store, but we had been pinged that week and I figured DD would rather test herself.

We have a priority postbox nearby that gets collected at 4, so DD tested shortly before.

The following morning they messaged to confirm they had the sample and were processing it. We had the results before 3pm.

This was last week to fly yesterday (and we had 72 hours in which we could do the pretest).

Madcats · 18/07/2021 08:04

The 72 hours bit is when you land in the country.

We were careful to build in a few hours' slack.

tryingtorun · 18/07/2021 14:30

Thank you all for the information, I've managed to book us in for in store tests, and I've built in time slack as well. Stressful part wasn't I couldn't get our nearest 2 stores so going slightly further afield.

Amboseli · 18/07/2021 14:57

We flew out to Majorca yesterday. In Palma they didn't even look at the kids test certificates. Just scanned the Spanish health form. We're double jabbed, they did ask to look at my vaccination certificate, not DH's. Not sure but could be because he had Pfizer and I had AZ. Maybe checking if I had the Indian batch which I didn't.

It's absolutely beautiful out here. Currently by the pool, sangria in hand, just chilling. Feels very safe, masks indoors, everyone complies, hotel at 60% capacity so plenty of space, no shortage of sunbeds. Well worth the hassle, especially to get away from plague island and lunatic government.

myrtilles · 18/07/2021 15:20

Wren travel do pcr tests with results by 5 am the next day.

myrtilles · 18/07/2021 15:21

Sorry I meant wren healthcare in my post above

EmmaStone · 18/07/2021 18:42

Our flight to Palma is at 6am on Tuesday, so this morning I drove the kids an hour to Taunton, the nearest lab (other local drop boxes were closed on Sunday, and I was too worried to use a priority box and make the 48hr turnaround). They did their tests in the car park, I dropped them in at 11:15, and had the (negative - phew!) results back at 3pm. That was Zavamed, which I think may be SW based? Excellent service!!

Can actually start thinking we're really going now!!

TheExtraGuineaPig · 20/07/2021 05:33

My update- we are safely in Paxos. The trip was very smooth after the wait for DDs PCR test (which was easy, the stress was all mine!).

I was tested at Corfu airport - all the lead passengers on the PLF forms were - which was massively nerve wracking for 10 minutes. We also needed our vaccine proof for the ferry which involved some frantic app searching on low batteries.

Now we're here and it's just lovely. Have hardly been indoors with any other people - just really quick visits to the mini market. Feels very safe indeed.

EmmaStone · 20/07/2021 12:33

My update: we're in Palma, everything has been v smooth. Our flight was at 6am (ungodly!), and no more than half full (if that). Getting through Palma airport was fine - passport control and after that a medical control, they scanned our 4 Spanish travel entry forms but only asked to see my proof of vaccination, nobody else's (DH also double vaxxed, 2 teenagers with negative PCR tests).

Have had a lovely wander around the city, stopped for food, and now back in the lovely air-conditioned rooms for a quick siesta before a dip in the pool.

I didn't really plan anything, our booking was only made 3 weeks ago, and I was worried if I planned anything, we'd jinx it, and I didn't let myself get excited until we got in a taxi at Palma airport! But I always said it would all be worth it when we set foot on Spanish soil, and so far, that still stands, it's lush to be away. Can't wait for some tapas and sangria later 😀

hellswelshy · 20/07/2021 13:15

Glad to hear all going smoothly so far to those who are away! EmmaStone sorry if I've missed you mentioning it, but where did you fly from and what proof of vaccination did you use? We are in Wales, but flying from Bristol in 2wks, and do have a Covid vaccination 'passport' via NHS Wales, hoping that is enough proof..though will probably print it out too.

EmmaStone · 20/07/2021 14:42

@hellswelshy, we flew from Bristol this morning, DH had the letter from the NHS, I've got the QR code on the NHS app, which I also printed out just in case - that's what I showed at Palma airport.

There were a few people in the queue at EasyJet checkin frantically completing their Spanish travel entry forms, make sure you do it at home with all info in front of you. I then downloaded the QR codes from those (one for each traveller) into my Apple wallet, and shared them to each of my party so they all had their own in their wallets, made it very straightforward when entering Palma.

EmmaStone · 20/07/2021 14:44

Also, although I don't think it is still mandatory here, I'd say the majority of people are wearing masks outdoors, which is a bit warm! I think the rule is not required outside unless you can't keep a 1.5m distance from others. We've worn ours today, but will double check with hotel concierge on what the actual law is!

hellswelshy · 20/07/2021 15:17

Thank you, that's helpful to know. I can see I will need to be super organised! Any information on mask wearing you get I would be interested in too, though we are going to Ibiza, it will be the same rules I suppose. Thanks again

Amboseli · 20/07/2021 17:23

We're in Majorca. Mask wearing indoors everywhere except when seated to eat.

Not outdoors.

I'd definitely recommend printing all Doc's as a back up and fill in Spanish health form at home. We saw lots of people who seemed unaware of the form and trying to fill it

Amboseli · 20/07/2021 17:24

in at the airport. Must have been very stressful.

Watapalava · 22/07/2021 08:15

I’m in Ibiza

Masks only needed when walking into a hotel/shops and going toilets inside restaurants

As most have outdoor seating masks haven’t really been worn at all

It’s like covid doesn’t exist and it’s lovely!

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