Page 2 | Nervously awaiting fit to fly PCR test results ...

zafferana · 2021-08-05T14:45:29+00:00

Almost 2 years of planning, 11 months since booking, many months of thinking we wouldn't be going, then realising that we can, and it comes down to this - the results four PCR tests ... I should be packing FFS, but a part of brain is still going 'Don't jinx it' 😩

SandyBayley · 06/08/2021 08:58

Yes, for Croatia the test has to be taken within the 72 hours before landing. So much to think about!

Abraxan · 06/08/2021 09:07

@zafferana

Results came at 5pm, all negative. I can't believe we're going!!!

It's so stressful though waiting for them to come through. We're going to the US, so vaccine status doesn't count - everyone has to have a negative PCR.

We used Randox and they were excellent. The boxes of tests came in good time, the instructions were clear, their website was good and it was easy to use to register the tests, I put the completed tests in one of their drop boxes and we had the results 27 hours later.

The US?

We are supposed to be going to the US in October and everything I'm reading says that we can't go right now, until,they change their rules as we aren't nationals and will be going there directly from the UK.

I'm jealous!

Original poster

zafferana · 06/08/2021 09:12

We're US citizens @Abraxan

OP posts:

Original poster

zafferana · 06/08/2021 09:16

Hit send too early! Yes, it really sucks for Brits and other Europeans at the moment. It does look like things will change soon though and the fully vaccinated will be allowed to visit. The US is just going into the Delta wave at the moment, but as cases drop there and here I think the borders will reopen 🤞🏻

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Pissinthepottyplease · 06/08/2021 09:37

@Theredjellybean

Why are you needing tests? If you are vaccinated you wouldn't need them

It very much depends the requirements of the place you are visiting. And obviously children aren’t vaccinated.

Stircrazyschoolmum · 06/08/2021 10:01

Joining for a handhold! We dropped the teens test into a randox box at 16.30 yesterday. We fly very early Sunday. Been in near isolation all week after one of teens friends tested positive (not a close contact) panicking PCR will be positive (despite numerous neg LFTS) or flight will be delayed and we’ll breech the 72 hr window. Plus we have the possibility of random testing on arrival!

Heyho, we knew what we were getting into and this holiday is a year overdue.. it will be worth it if we make it!

Abraxan · 06/08/2021 10:53

@zafferana

We're US citizens *@Abraxan*

Have a great time!

I'm hoping the US will open up to the UK before October.

derekthe1adyhamster · 06/08/2021 12:43

I'm glad everyone says that's random are good. I booked tests for the 4 people in the family, everyone apart from mine have been dispatched and are arriving today....
Where's mine?!!

derekthe1adyhamster · 06/08/2021 12:44

Randox! Not random...

Original poster

zafferana · 06/08/2021 13:12

Yes, I hope it opens up too @Abraxan and I hope entry is based on vaccination in future, rather than tests, as has been rumoured this week.

Reading the US papers it seems that the delta variant has caught them unawares and they're rather panicking at the way cases are rising, which is ridiculous when you look at what happened here in the UK with an even higher vaccination rate than they have there. Don't they look at what's happening in other countries?

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ToomuchHeat · 07/08/2021 19:06

We went to Portugal so needed negative PCRs before going and eldest DC only had their last day at school cos came out of isolation almost didn't send them as we were due to fly 3 days after. Anyway we made it and then I would advise those who need to do return tests to book them in advance we ended up queuing ages in Portugal for an antigen test that cost €45 - when I tried to book all were booked up in advance!

We used synlab who do pop ups and you queue in Portugal

ToomuchHeat · 07/08/2021 19:07

Or we could have bought the test from Randox and used a drop box

IsabellesMissingSock · 07/08/2021 19:29

@ToomuchHeat you can do an antigen test to go to Portugal, doesn't have to be a PCR. Not the point of the thread, and you've been already, but just posting this info in case it's useful for anyone else.

Remmy123 · 07/08/2021 20:10

I'm flying Friday landing in Spain 11am Spanish time so can I do my test at 10am U.K. time on Tuesday or do you allow for delays? (This is for my son who is 12)

Total head feck

EasterIssland · 07/08/2021 20:20

@Remmy123

I'm flying Friday landing in Spain 11am Spanish time so can I do my test at 10am U.K. time on Tuesday or do you allow for delays? (This is for my son who is 12)

Total head feck

I’d do an antigen on Wednesday to allow for delays

ToomuchHeat · 07/08/2021 20:22

Thanks @IsabellesMissingSock worth knowing we got like a two pack set from Randox £86 pp. PCRs but good to know re antigen to go thanks

Remmy123 · 07/08/2021 20:44

@EasterIssland it's a PCR and needs to be done 72 hours before

DH says dint bother fr delays how long is a piece of string

EasterIssland · 07/08/2021 20:52

[quote Remmy123]@EasterIssland it's a PCR and needs to be done 72 hours before

DH says dint bother fr delays how long is a piece of string[/quote]
Up to 72h before. So it can be done on Wednesday as long as results are on time

Original poster

zafferana · 08/08/2021 11:45

We made it to the US yesterday 🇺🇸 🎉

What was weird, after all the stress of planning, etc, was how normal it was once we got to the airport and on the plane. So glad and grateful to be here 🙏🏻

OP posts:

ToomuchHeat · 08/08/2021 20:40

Whoop OP!

Abraxan · 08/08/2021 21:44

Yeah! That's fab.
Have a great time.

SandyBayley · 08/08/2021 22:01

Testing on Tuesday afternoon for Croatia on Friday morning. Just did an LFT to reassure myself. DD did one as well as she has a sore mouth, turns out she burnt it eating caramel sauce from a saucepan yesterday 😬

EasterIssland · 09/08/2021 09:13

@SandyBayley

Testing on Tuesday afternoon for Croatia on Friday morning. Just did an LFT to reassure myself. DD did one as well as she has a sore mouth, turns out she burnt it eating caramel sauce from a saucepan yesterday 😬

bless her! hope she recovers soon!

windmill26 · 09/08/2021 16:35

@zafferana

Results came at 5pm, all negative. I can't believe we're going!!!

It's so stressful though waiting for them to come through. We're going to the US, so vaccine status doesn't count - everyone has to have a negative PCR.

We used Randox and they were excellent. The boxes of tests came in good time, the instructions were clear, their website was good and it was easy to use to register the tests, I put the completed tests in one of their drop boxes and we had the results 27 hours later.

Hi @zafferana ,could you clarify something for me in regards of the Randox test? Do you register the test at the time you take it or at the time you put it in their drop box? We are going to Portugal and we are using Randox PCR 72 hour test. Our departure time is Sunday at 16.30 pm ,the closest Randox drop box to us closes at 5pm. We are cutting it fine if as the earliest we can take the test is on Thursday at 4.30 pm as we may get to drop box late and it is closed. What about if the plane gets delayed at departure? would it make our 72 hours test void? sorry! I am rambling a bit ...this is quite stressful and it shouldn't be considering the money we spent on it!

EasterIssland · 09/08/2021 18:28

Complaints abojt randox system today in the news
mobile.twitter.com/Gav_M/status/1424388946167992324