Page 3 | 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' 😩

Original poster

zafferana · 09/08/2021 18:31

Hi @windmill26. You can actually register the test whenever you like and it asks you to confirm the time you took it, which is then printed on the result letter. So you can drop off the tests and register them later, if that means getting them in the box on time. They will arrive at Randox the following morning and then be tested and your results returned by 11.59pm.

OP posts:

windmill26 · 09/08/2021 18:48

@zafferana

Hi *@windmill26*. You can actually register the test whenever you like and it asks you to confirm the time you took it, which is then printed on the result letter. So you can drop off the tests and register them later, if that means getting them in the box on time. They will arrive at Randox the following morning and then be tested and your results returned by 11.59pm.

Hi @zafferana. Thank you so much for replying and clarifying ! I have given myself palpitations this weekend between trying to understand entry requirements and reading about tests! Anyway ...onward and upward.I will be more relaxed once we touchdown in Portugal!

aimslou · 10/08/2021 21:41

@loopsngeorge

Ahh, we went through this, now just coming to the end of our Portugal holiday. It will all happen, and it's a great feeling when you know for sure you are going away!

loops did you do a lateral flow or a pcr? I'm worried I've booked the wrong tests to go to Portugal

SandyBayley · 10/08/2021 22:47

Tests taken, registered and dropped in the Radnox box. Actually the overflowing one that made BBC news yesterday. The registration process wasn't as bad as I thought. Fingers crossed for a negative result tomorrow....

Remmy123 · 11/08/2021 07:31

Anxiously awaiting son's PCR test before (hopefully) flying Friday morning!! Shouid hear back by tomorrow afternoon 😬🙏😬

Not packing yet!

Sallycinnamum · 11/08/2021 07:47

We're in the same boat.

Flying tomorrow morning and waiting for DS result.

Ended up having an in person test at our local Boots yesterday morning as the turnaround is meant to be quicker but it's going to be close to the wire!

Remmy123 · 11/08/2021 08:44

Good luck ., ours got sent via tracked 24 Royal Mail!!!

Wonder whst I do if it gets lost 😬

Remmy123 · 11/08/2021 09:57

Ok it's been delivered - phew

Stircrazyschoolmum · 11/08/2021 11:06

Sending positive vibes to all those waiting. We’ve been in Greece since Sunday and it’s truly been worth it. Feels pretty normal (but hot!!) Not thinking about the return home tests yet, just enjoying every moment.

Our randox test took almost exactly 24 hrs to come back.

SandyBayley · 11/08/2021 21:32

4 x negative PCR tests arrived back this evening. Good to fly to Croatia early on Friday morning. Only anxious moment was this morning when I got emails for 3 of the 4 saying they'd arrived at the lane. It took another 45 minutes for mine to turn up...

SandyBayley · 13/08/2021 17:59

And we're here in Croatia. And it's blooming lovely 😊

windmill26 · 13/08/2021 18:14

@SandyBayley

And we're here in Croatia. And it's blooming lovely 😊

Good news! Enjoy

windmill26 · 21/08/2021 15:47

Flying to Portugal in 24 hours. Took the Randox PCR tests instead of the lateral flow just to give ourselves a bit more time as the drop box is not around the corner from us.Mine came back negative this morning at 9 but we are still waiting for other 2 results...I know that Randox has them as we all received confirmation.Freaking out a little bit ...hopefully we get the results soon as I would be very annoyed to spend extra money on quick lateral flow tests. I also don't understand the blanket no refund policy .Surely if the test result don't come back in time or they lose them etc. they should be giving refunds as they have not provided the service advertised?

windmill26 · 21/08/2021 19:02

@windmill26

Flying to Portugal in 24 hours. Took the Randox PCR tests instead of the lateral flow just to give ourselves a bit more time as the drop box is not around the corner from us.Mine came back negative this morning at 9 but we are still waiting for other 2 results...I know that Randox has them as we all received confirmation.Freaking out a little bit ...hopefully we get the results soon as I would be very annoyed to spend extra money on quick lateral flow tests. I also don't understand the blanket no refund policy .Surely if the test result don't come back in time or they lose them etc. they should be giving refunds as they have not provided the service advertised?

Update

We got the last 2 test results. One at 6pm and the other just now at 7pm. I was getting rather worried! I can finally pack the luggage !

isitspringyet · 21/08/2021 19:10

I used Wren for my sons pcr they were fabulous - the trust pilot reviews are good and I was freaking about getting the pcr back in time. Brilliant service but a bit more pricier but def worth it and he took an antigen with him and a teams call was booked for him when he was away

SandyBayley · 22/08/2021 13:45

Enjoy @windmill26 ! Have a good trip!

Enjoy the brief interlude before you start worrying about your 'return' tests 😉

windmill26 · 22/08/2021 15:24

@SandyBayley

Enjoy *@windmill26* ! Have a good trip!

Enjoy the brief interlude before you start worrying about your 'return' tests 😉

Thank you, will do! At the airport now,the check in wasn't too bad.Looking forward to soak up some 🌞!

Original poster

zafferana · 02/09/2021 12:16

Just popping back to say that we had an amazing trip and it was 100% worth the cost/hassle/stress of testing and filling out forms. To get away, after the past 18 months stuck at home, and to largely forget about Covid and travel again was exactly what we all needed. DH, who has been stuck in his home office since March 2020, completely switched off from work and our DC got away from their devices, which alone was priceless!

I hope everyone else on this thread managed to get away and enjoy themselves as much as we did and anyone else thinking of biting the bullet and going overseas does too.

OP posts:

windmill26 · 02/09/2021 16:09

I agree with @zafferana ,the testing situation was challenging but I am very glad too we managed to go away .
We used Randox and apart from the fit to fly results coming in all at different times we had no issue. I am just hoping that the testing situation will improve as it is a bit of a minefield and very expensive. We ended up spending £400 all in for a family of 3 (tests in Portugal included) .This is a not a sum I am willing to spend every time we want to go abroad.