Antigen test

[loveisagirlnameddaisy]

Just looking at entry requirements for France for school trip for DD in the summer. It says 'negative PCR or antigen test result taken 24 hours pre-departure'. I know I should know this by now, but is an antigen test the same thing as the lateral flow tests we've all been doing at home?

And if so, how can countries trust the results when they can so easily be faked? I've always assumed it would need to be a test administered by a healthcare professional so the results are more robust?

Yes it’s the same sort of test but it has to be done at a clinic precisely so you can’t fake it

I had exactly the same question today!

See link here: uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918
Self-administered tests whose results are not certified by a laboratory (e.g. free tests provided by the NHS) are not authorized for travel. The NHS has stated that it will not carry out any tests for the purposes of travel. People should therefore use private organizations providing a similar service. No specific tests exist which are linked to the new variant identified.

@LakeShoreD

See link here: uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918 Self-administered tests whose results are not certified by a laboratory (e.g. free tests provided by the NHS) are not authorized for travel. The NHS has stated that it will not carry out any tests for the purposes of travel. People should therefore use private organizations providing a similar service. No specific tests exist which are linked to the new variant identified.

Thanks for this - will do some more research.

If it's done through a private provider, is there any benefit to paying for an antigen instead of a PCR?

antigens are a lot cheaper

Just looked at the Randox website and looks like you can still do them at home, email them the results and they send you a certificate. All sounds completely pointless.

All sounds completely pointless

You just realised this ?

@loveisagirlnameddaisy

Just looked at the Randox website and looks like you can still do them at home, email them the results and they send you a certificate. All sounds completely pointless.

Well yes 🤣 If trip isn’t until the summer I wouldn’t even think about it now. Revisit a few weeks before as chances are it’ll change a dozen times between now and then.

You have to take a photo and upload it, but I wouldn't book anything yet, there's a good chance they will be dropped before summer

@LakeShoreD

Yes it’s the same sort of test but it has to be done at a clinic precisely so you can’t fake it

Not all countries require it to be done in person, some countries accept privately bought LFTs which are done at home and posted.

I dunno about Randox, but with C19, you use their app or portal to upload the images. (it's not email) The image still needs a visible control line so you have to figure out how to get that without giving a sample -- or just give a sample. You also need to show your ID in the image with the test result.

Agree with others that the rules may well change and soon, plan the test as late as possible.

Sorry - not posted by mail. I mean the LFT qr code is posted online to a website and the test result - either typed in or a photograph of result shown

Thanks everyone and yes, wise advice to wait as the rules are changing all the time!