antigenic test for UK return
 

Going nearly mad trying to return to the UK from a French holiday. I thought I'd booked a PCR test at a French pharmacie, but it turns out it's antigenique. Is an antigenic test acceptable?

Gov.uk says:

The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.This could include tests such as:

• a PCR test
• a LAMP test
• an antigen test, such as an LFD (lateral flow device) test

You must check with your test provider that the test meets the standards. You may not be able to travel if it does not.

So in my bad French I'm supposed to ask a small town pharmacie about ≥97% specificity????? The pharmacie showed me a sample certicate with EU banners and so on.

Life is becoming a nightmare.... Any thoughts/experience, please?

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

Easy to say I know but I would just do the test and present the certificate with a confident smile. I don't think anyone really understands UK rules. If you have an official looking piece of paper and you look confident I doubt anyone will challenge you. In the unlikely event that they do, tell them you asked the chemist and were assured it met the criteria. Probably all antigen tests meet those criteria because why any chemist offer tests that are considered unreliable when there are better ones available, I would be surprised if the EU had all round lower standards than the UK..
Let us know how you get on :fingerscrossed:

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

I am shortly going to face the same dilemma so was wondering if anyone had any experience of getting a PCR test in Nice. I understand that they do it at the airport, has anyone used that service, is it walk-in and how much does it costs.

Also, there is a company Eurofins which has several places in Nice. Again, how much does it cost and has anyone tried them.

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

The UK accepts an antigenique test, doable in many a French pharmacie - I paid E25 and got the results in 15 mins. The result came on an EU certificate. But for Day 2 in the UK, the UK insist on an expensive PCR test. The whole system is so riddled with inconsistencies... But we plebs must obey our masters.

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

Does anyone have a recommendation for a test facility somewhere on the route from Tours to the Eurotunnel to get a test before going into UK?

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

Try here:

Covid tests

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

Thanks. Very useful. In other searches I found the Doctolib website which led me to a pharmacie nearby the hotel we will overnight at. On that site one can make an appointment for the test although they say one can walk in without.

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

Did they quote you a price?

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

No. There is a cap at 25€ isn't there?

Re: antigenic test for UK return
 

Understand your predicament. I am going home to Scotland for the first time in 18 months and trying to find a test for day 2 arrival in Scotland and it's a nightmare. The Scottish governemnt refers you to a link for CTM (Corporate Management Travel) which seems to be for companies and not individuals. Have been trying for days to find out where to get this test and if it is a full PCR one or one self-administrated (will be getting a PCR before leaving France).