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Original poster

PCR day 2 test (amber country)

36 replies

kitz90 · 05/08/2021 11:23

So it seems our holiday to Majorca next week is happening.

I am finding the PCR day 2 test issue a bit of a minefield. I was all set to use expert medicals as they seem the cheapest (£28) but they've had awful reviews. There are 7 of us travelling (3 young children with no vaccine) and I am trying to keep costs down but balance this against using a half decent company. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 05/08/2021 13:51

I used SourceBioscience as they had few bad reviews on Trust Pilot. However, they weren't cheap at £60 a test. This was a DIY test that you posted back to them and results were emailed to me before the end of the next day.

I found the list on the .gov website and worked my way up the prices until I found one that seemed reliable!

SoupDragon · 05/08/2021 13:51

It is a complete minefield, I agree. I had lost the will to live by the end of it!

sonjadog · 05/08/2021 13:54

I have been very happy with Randox. I have had no issues with them at all. Used several times now.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 05/08/2021 14:00

I used Randox and had no issues. A bit more than what you paid but not expensive. Most airlines give a discount code for them.

Quail15 · 05/08/2021 14:03

I'm just back from Tenerife. For days 2&8 as well as day 5 test to release we have used EuroFins. Had no issues at all. Test kits arrived in the post on the day we needed to take them results back within 48 hrs of posting back.

churchroad · 05/08/2021 15:38

So long as they get you the code for your locator form in time, it matters a lot less now if they are prompt etc as (assuming you are fully vaccinated) you are not waiting on a result to get out of quarantine!

magsbagsfags · 05/08/2021 15:53

We will be using TestExpress. Stupid question but do you need to test ON day 2, or can you do it as you land and get results BY Day 2?

sonjadog · 05/08/2021 16:59

No, you have to test on day two.

SoupDragon · 05/08/2021 17:20

@sonjadog

No, you have to test on day two.
That's not true. It is "take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8"
magsbagsfags · 05/08/2021 17:55

@SoupDragon great thank you! Where did you get that info? As it would easiest for us to test at the airport on arrival.

tryingtorun · 05/08/2021 18:03

I found the info from our tour operator. Because it's on or before day 2 we have tests booked for when we arrive back in uk at the airport. I believe a number of airports offer this service.

SoupDragon · 05/08/2021 18:07

ExpressTest are right outside the arrivals gate in the North terminal at Gatwick. Perfectly placed.

Snozwanger · 05/08/2021 18:18

We went to Spain and got our day two PCRs from rightangled.co.uk The tests came very quickly via DPD well before we departed abroad. They were £35 each I think. I posted them first thing on a Monday morning and the results were emailed to us late in the Tuesday evening. The only thing that was a bit tricky was registering the tests in their website. The form to complete didn't really function properly but we got our results back fine which was what mattered.

lurker101 · 05/08/2021 18:21

We used Express Test Heathrow in June. Can’t recommend them enough. Longest wait for PCR result was 16hrs, test to release back in 11hrs.

bobisbored · 05/08/2021 18:32

I've booked expert Medical. Tests have arrived and all good so far.

magsbagsfags · 05/08/2021 18:33

Thanks @SoupDragon Smile

Delatron · 05/08/2021 18:45

Don’t you need a code for your day 2 tests for your PLF for returning to the U.K.? So to show that you’ve already arranged them or am I making that up? How does that work if you do the test in the airport? Do you pre-book?

bobisbored · 05/08/2021 19:05

@Delatron

Don’t you need a code for your day 2 tests for your PLF for returning to the U.K.? So to show that you’ve already arranged them or am I making that up? How does that work if you do the test in the airport? Do you pre-book?
Yes you need the booking ref for your passenger locator form for the return flight.
SoupDragon · 05/08/2021 19:10

Yes, all your post-return tests need to have been pre-booked.

Delatron · 05/08/2021 19:27

Thanks @bobisbored and @SoupDragon

So you can’t just rock up to the airport one!

cptartapp · 05/08/2021 19:43

Screen4 reasonably priced. Think TUI recommend them too.
Can be posted with Royal Mail, no driving miles to a 'drop box'. Results back promptly.

ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff · 05/08/2021 19:44

@Delatron I'm guessing you book your test/slot for when you arrive and you get your ref code at the time of booking.

Delatron · 05/08/2021 19:45

Yes that makes sense @ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff

I was imagining huge queues for testing!

JosephineDeBeauharnais · 05/08/2021 19:46

We used Randox, turnaround was really quick but we didn’t realise they don’t use Royal Mail so had to travel to drop box nearly 10 miles away Hmm

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