PCR testing
We are off to France and Spain shortly and will return early in March via euro tunnel. Under the new covid rules we have to self isolate until we have a negative PCR test result. Living in the North we had hoped to take a few days driving home but we need to take a test within two days. Is there anywhere we can book a test near to the tunnel without having to go into a town with a large motorhome. Ideally a motorway services in Kent where we can book a test before we arrive in UK.
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Some of the approved testing contractors offer a facility where you can call in and have the test undertaken. I’d expect most ports to offer that facility. However, it will add considerably to what is already likely to be an expensive test. Google the list of government approved testing agents for further details, but list may not be up-to-date pending very recent changes. Probably worth waiting a while tho’ as things will undoubtedly change before you return.
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Yes, and you may find yourself restricted to a time limit before submitting the Passenger Location Form. Currently I think it’s 48 hours? I used ‘Prenetics’ on a recent trip. They were at the lower end of the price list and very good. I used one earlier this year (Recova) and they were rubbish. Quite a few rated on Trustpilot now so worth checking reviews.
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We've just completed our Passenger Locator forms which, as stated above, you can't do without the booking reference number for your PCR test. We booked our tests and got the reference number and Royal Mail are supposed to be delivering the kits tomorrow. We also have to do provide a negative Lateral Flow Test done tomorrow before boarding our vessel at Southampton on Wednesday.
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We came back from Spain the end of October. We'd booked our pcr test with Eurofins, not the cheapest at £32 but they have a booth in our local Asda carpark. Plenty of room in a supermarket for a large van. I agree with AD, it's a racket but you need that reference number for the PLF or you're not travelling. We're back to Spain in January, pity we can't get a discount for multi trips?!!
JK
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Chrisheg, A well used plan at present is to book, buy and pay for PCR test kits before you go and take them with you when you go abroad. Then use them in Folkestone on your return to UK and put them in a post box or drop box to be sent to the lab.
But none of us know what regulations will be in force by the time you return in March - whether tests will still be required, whether they can be self administered or have to be supervised, and whether your proposed several days of travel to get back to the north of England will have to be cut back to one day. Things change quickly.
Good luck.
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We are travelling to Portugal in February via Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander. From Santander we'll drive to Faro stopping at Cabárceno Natural Park, Zamora and Zafra. Today Portugal has introduced regulations requiring a negative coronavirus test for all new arrivals trying to enter their country by land, sea, or air. These regulations include the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test – PCR or rapid antigen – conducted in the 48 hours prior to entering the country. Does anyone know of any Spanish testing facilities, preferable near to the Brittany Ferries quay at Santander?
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Google will give you details of several testing facilities at Santander, or you can wait till you are closer to the Portuguese border and ask for test sites there. But honestly, planning today in November for February is sheer optimism.
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Eurofins do a 'Drive in' PCR testing facility at both Portsmouth and Ashford (for Eurotunnel), so convenient for whichever port you arrive at. They are both accessible in a separate area in car parks at large ASDA stores and are well signposted.
Use the website link, click on 'Sampling Stations' and a map comes up for anyone who prefers to use one nearer their home.They also offer Drive-through' testing at Warrington, Livingston, and Heathrow airport.
We used Eurofins in September (Drive through at Warrington) and got the results very quickly afterwards. I made a mess of the test by dropping the test liquid capsule, and it was replaced without problems at no extra charge.
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On the lunch time news today it was said that if goes well the rule regarding the wearing of fask masks could be lifted. However, that is not so for the requirement to have a PCR test when returning from abroad. This requirement is set to remain until March 2022!
peedee
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Well! That was fun. We're all packed and were ready to go to Southampton at dawn tomorrow but just checked a mail in my 'junk' box to find that the Day 2 test kits we purchased will not now be acceptable. Great. Just had to re-order the appropriate kits so that's another £130+ I'll never see again. It also means new Passenger Locator forms to be completed because you need the new reference number for the new test kit.
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It’s absolutely ridiculous that Passenger Locator forms can’t be edited - had the same problem myself for different reasons. Does the £130 include a credit for the no longer required lateral flow tests?
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Seaside Bill - I just had to laugh at your question. The second word would probably be off.
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Not surprised….”circumstances beyond our control blah blah 😕” Licence to print money - kerching!
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JK
May I ask if this refers to the Wheatley Oxford Asda?
I sent a message to Eurofins about whether there was aa height and weight limit and they sent me back a picture of the carpark! We will be 12½ metres long and 2.7 metres high - car and caravan - but thought to unhitch the caravan, park it and then do the drive through and come back to collect.
Any comments appreciated - though of course a lot will depend on whether we can travel.
O/eagle
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Reports this evening from France say that from 4 December 2021 fully vaccinated visitors from UK to France will once again have to produce a negative Covid test result before departure. Details will emerge in due course.
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It’s all starting to look very complicated and expensive again following the news tonight that entry to the UK will be conditional on PCR or LFT test before departure. It’s not clear if that’s instead of or in addition to the day 2 return PCR test. If so, the cost of tests could become prohibitive particularly if the original destination country imposes its own additional requirements. That’s in addition to the disruption, cost and inconvenience of the worst case scenario - testing positive!
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Our daughter returned from Poland at about 5:30 yesterday evening, SIL met her with a PCR which they ordered from RANDOX. They dropped it off at about 6:30 at the processing centre at Warrington and she had a negative result by email at 5:30 this morning. I think the test cost just under £30.
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The screw has been tightened further. It’s now a Covid test before you go, another to allow you to come back, and a third when you are home. All to pay for at commercial rates.
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It’s not just the cost, but the stress and hassle of getting tests done and processed within deadlines when you’re completely at the mercy of others who may or may not be competent and/or share your sense of urgency.
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This is nothing new, I think cruises have been operating similarly for some months and when I flew to Jersey in September, in addition to completing a passenger locator form 24 hours before departure, you had to either prove you had a negative PCR test prior to leaving or you had to have one immediately on arrival. The arrival one was free which we opted for but just to reduce the risk of it being positive and having to go into quarantine for 10 days on arrival on a 4 day break, we did lateral flow tests the morning before departure and went straight to the Jersey test centre on arrival for the PCR test. We were tested at about 5p.m. and had the negative results by text at 10-30p.m. None of this was an inconvenience or the least bit stressful.
peedee
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Someone, somewhere is making an awful lot of money out of these tests. One wonders what the response would be if you didn't bother to do the post arrival one.
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Being in a foreign country can make it more stressful along with changes and uncertainty. One of the reasons I have not made any firm plans for next year other than a package like you where healthwise everything will be organised for us. Even that, I suspect, hangs in the balance of what Omicron turns out to be like and what rules might be brought into play.
peedee
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It can be very inconvenient and stressful when things don’t go to plan and travel changes are imposed at the 11th hour. If you’re overseas without good access to comms in order to research, arrange and purchase new tests within a revised deadline, not to mention creating a new passenger location form, it’s a nightmare. Been there done it!
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Good question, I’ve done 3 now without any obvious follow-up including one which I messed up because the website was rubbish, fully expected it to be queried.
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