COVID: how to make sense of the UK's new testing rules
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This means that you can get tested as soon as you land in the UK. You could also do it on the way home from the airport, or the next day. But remember you must self-isolate and only leave where you are staying for essential reasons such as testing. There are lots of different companies that you can book a test through online. But not all test providers are created equal. In terms of private providers, some companies offer at-home options sent by mail, or in-person testing. The government has a handy guide about which test might be right for you here.
Remember to make your online booking in time to put the booking reference, which you'll receive by email, on your passenger locator form. On September 24th, the UK Competition and Markets Authority revealed they are investigating Dante Labs for not delivering tests or test results on time or at all, not responding to customer complaints, refusing or delaying to pay refunds and having unfair terms and conditions. The results of their investigation will be revealed in due course.
Don't worry, however, if you are already in the process of using Dante for testing. Your results will still be accepted as valid. They are similarly being investigated for not sending out tests and results, not responding to customer complaints and refusing to issue refunds when due.
You can find the list of government-approved testing providers here. There's still no need for children to show certificates at the UK border or anywhere else in the UK but it should help with overseas travel in Spain and Canada, for example, are among countries where this age group must be fully vaccinated to gain entry, avoid isolation, and access some venues.
Proof of vaccination will initially be provided in letter form - with an internationally recognised barcode - before the digital pass goes live on the NHS App early next year. More information, including on how to apply for the letter, can be found on the government website here. We put these questions to the government departments responsible for the rules. Their answers are below. Note too that this guidance specifically references LFTs; a PCR test would still be positive so soon after catching the virus.
A further change , in force from January 11 in England, is that people who test positive on an LFT should continue to isolate immediately but are no longer required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
The motive here seems to be to prioritise getting people who are likely to be infectious to isolate, but not worry about confirming that they definitely have COVID or which variant of the virus they have PCR tests can also be used to distinguish between variants. Again, with infection levels so high, this seems like a sensible move that continues to contain transmission but also, maybe this time, saves testing resources.
Finally, fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK used to have to take a PCR test two days before travelling and another within two days of arrival. Now neither is required — people arriving just need to isolate for two days on arrival and take an LFT on day two and if the LFT is positive, continue to isolate and take a PCR test.
But for travellers who are not fully vaccinated, the rules are different. They still need to take the more sensitive PCR tests prior to travel and on days two and eight after arriving. The logic of more stringent testing of the unvaccinated when omicron is so broadly infectious is therefore unclear.
It may be that this decision is more a tactic to try to convince more people to get vaccinated, rather than being a decision based on an entirely scientific rationale. Edition: Available editions Global. Become an author Sign up as a reader Sign in. Simon Kolstoe , University of Portsmouth.
This service is offered by some private companies in the UK. If you arrange for a postal PCR test from a private provider, please ensure you check that they will send direct to Guernsey. At the time of publication, the following 3rd party providers offer PCR tests by post. Please note these are not recommendations , however are included here as potential options.
We would advise you to carry out your own research into 3rd party providers:. Should anyone need a negative pre-travel PCR test result before travelling abroad, Primary Care colleagues have been providing this service in their own practices and will continue to do so.
GP practices are offering this service during normal working hours and also on Saturday mornings. Additionally, UK hub airports and other private providers offer pre-travel testing.
If you are required to provide proof of a negative PCR COVID result for your travel destination or carrier, please check the website of the UK airport you are connecting through as many offer this service. Primary Care GP surgeries and some pharmacies also offer this test on-island, and both IslandHealth and the Healthcare Group are offering observed LFTs - patients are advised to contact their surgeries for these and allow sufficient time prior to travel.
Please stay at home. T hose awaiting PCR result, can go for unlimited, socially distanced outdoor exercise. You are likely to receive your PCR results between 24 - 48 hours after the swab has been taken. When you provide your personal details, you will be asked if you consent to contact by text message. If you agree to this, you will receive a negative result by text.
If you do NOT consent to receiving text messages, or if your result is positive, you will receive a phone call. Please note that multiple results cannot be sent through to a single number. Each individual will instead receive a phone call. Monday to Friday
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