Short trip to France for funeral - Covid testing

[Arcadia]

Does anyone know, if I travel to France next week for two days for funeral, how would I get tested in time to come back again? As it has to be at least three days before coming back I think?
Am double vaxxed so getting there isn't a problem.

If you're returning to England and will be back before 4 October, just follow the Amber rules for France: www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#amber-list-rules

The rules for international arrivals to NI, Scotland, and Wales may differ, so check those if it applies.

You'll need to take a test before returning to the UK - cannot be MORE than 72 hours before you enter the UK, but can be anything less than that.

You also need to book and pay for a "day 2" test to take once you're back home, and you need to fill out the Passenger Locater Form (this is UK wide) - book the test first because you need the details to fill out the PLF.

It’s 3 days maximum, not at least. So you could test yourself 24-48 hrs before returning, for example. I’m assuming you’re in England? But returning before the rules change on 4th Oct? I’m in Scotland, researching tests for our French holiday mid-Oct. our testing rules won’t be changing on 4th Oct, and my plan is to buy the tests from Chromatics and take them with us. Then test a day or two before return. That’s what I’d do in your situation I think - hope I’ve got it right, but I’m sure someone else will correct if so!

You should be able to find à chemist in France who will do it for you (some require you to make an appointment but most don't). They give you the result straight away. I know people who took it the morning they were travelling. You have to show proof of your négative test result so it's no good buying one in the UK and posting it back.

You can make an appointment for a test in France using doctolib.fr or sante.fr. Just put in your location and they will show you all the nearest options. Antigen tests are fine and you will get the result within an hour or so.

Sorry for your loss.

I strolled into a pharmacy in Paris and got a LFT with the results in 15min. I'd do that the day you arrive if you have the drums so it's not weighing on your mind

Gah really should proof read.

*time not drums.

Thanks it's great that it's possible to do a lateral flow test! My cousin there says it shouldn't be a problem.
Just need to sort transport and accommodation now!

OP the lateral flow needs to be assisted (which means someone needs to wtch you and then sign it off).
So I went to Paris last Friday morning, came back Saturday afternoon- had to be double vaxxed, have the certificate to say that I was not infectious, which you can download on the french government website, plus ypu need to download the tousanticovid app on your phone which they need to scan on entry to any restaurants, hotels, etc.
Then we had an assisted lateral flow test on Thursday less than 72 hours before we came back with Qured, you then also need to book a day 2 PCR and then put the code on the passenger locater form before you return.
It's really complicated - but will get better after the 4th October.

I can't wait until 4th October as the funeral is next week!

How did you book the return test back in the uk?

What @snanagram said.

Antigen tests easily available at chemists. You’ll find the list on doctolib.
Don’t do a PCR test. They are more sensitive and take longer to come back

Test before you go.

I kid you not.

And Medical Experts cheapest day 2 test. £28

@Arcadia

How did you book the return test back in the uk?

You mean the one to do in the uk?

Yes Medical expert is the best.

I'm even more confused now!
For the UK test, How do I book a medical experts test for my return? Is it posted to me?
And for the French test, how would I take the test before I go, which ones are approved in france?

You need to take an antigen test less than 3 days before returning to the uk, given that you will still be in the uk then, you can take it here.

Or you can go to a pharmacy and get one done there.

Or you can send off for one from Chronomics, carry it out yourself (in England or France, but within 3 days of your journey home), upload the photo and get a certificate.

This is a demand of the English government to get back into the uk and there is no requirement for it to be 'assisted'. And you can't tell from the Chronomics certificate that it wasn't.

In order to fill in the passenger locator form you need an amber country day 2 pcr test. You carry this out two days after you arrive home. You can order it now or when you're away, you will receive a serial number straight away by email and this needs to go on the passenger locator form. It will be waiting for you when you get home to carry out and post off. The cheapest reliable one is from nationwide.

Sorry for your loss, this must be a really stressful time for you.

@Janek thank you I'm not thinking clearly as I am trying to sort family life, work, transport, accommodation and logistics etc. It's not a very close relative, but there are reasons why I especially want to be there.
The issue with the chrimomicks test before I go is it may not arrive in post in time. Can you buy them directly anywhere?
Have figured out how to order the two say one, thank you.

Two day one

You can get the return test done easily in France. At chemists. Or even in the square in front of the Louvre. Apparently

I ordered Chronomics in the summer and they asked for the date I was travelling. They weren't even dispatched until just before I travelled, but they arrived the following day. In fact, I lied and told them I was travelling a little sooner to get them sooner.

C-19 is another company who guarantee to get the tests to you by the following day. Or could you ring a local pharmacy in France and book an appointment now - it is really completely normal to go for a test like that in France, but the added assurance of having the appointment would be better. If you can find the time while you're there (as soon as you arrive, maybe, as pp suggested).

Thank you I am going to order the next day delivery test kit via c19 testing which I can do just before I leave on Wednesday morning, to save me worrying in Paris (and to stop me being stranded there if positive!!). Loads if cases in daughters year at school so this is the closest I've been to it, we're just waiting now to get it.
Then due return will order test the next delivered by expert-medicals.co.uk.
Thanks I think I'm there!!

If you haven't already ordered I think expert medicals are a bit dodgy and unreliable. And I,be heard their website doesn't always work... but you will get a code for your PLF.

Don't forget to complete a declaration sur l'honneur in the off-chance someone wants to look at it!

Since it’s a very short visit (sorry about the circumstances) it’s worth being aware that the precise wording of the UK requirement is :

“ When to take your test:
You can take the test any time in the 3 days before the service on which you will arrive in England departs.”

For example, if you travel directly to England on Friday, you could take a test any time on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. The test result must be available for boarding.”

Also that:

“If you are returning to the UK within 3 days, you can use the result of a COVID-19 test that you take in the UK before you travel.”

www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

I used expert Medicals and the tests arrived the next day. No problem at all. Cheapest apart from the drive through euro fin.

@Janek how do I do the declaration sur l'honneur?