Day 2 and Day 8 COVID Tests
#1

Planning to visit UK from Saudi next week and searching for a company to use for the day 2 and 8 tests. However the prices are ridiculous, into the 100's of pounds for self test by post.
Anyone know of cheaper companies to use for self test by post? Also I cannot complete the Passenger Locator form without a reference number from the test provider.
Thanks.
Anyone know of cheaper companies to use for self test by post? Also I cannot complete the Passenger Locator form without a reference number from the test provider.
Thanks.
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 10


Google Nationwide Pathology. A friend of mine came from Dubai yesterday and recommended them. They have the 2 & 8 days test for £85. That's reasonable. Don't try to go so cheap as some labs don't respond and have a horrendous process. That friend told me Expert Medicals didn't send the sample to the home office and their phones are not answering. Also if you received either AZ, Phizer or Moderna double vaccination, you only need day 2, not 8 if you are coming directly from Saudi. That should cut your PCR bill by half. Good luck
#4
BE Enthusiast





Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 582












Google Nationwide Pathology. A friend of mine came from Dubai yesterday and recommended them. They have the 2 & 8 days test for £85. That's reasonable. Don't try to go so cheap as some labs don't respond and have a horrendous process. That friend told me Expert Medicals didn't send the sample to the home office and their phones are not answering. Also if you received either AZ, Phizer or Moderna double vaccination, you only need day 2, not 8 if you are coming directly from Saudi. That should cut your PCR bill by half. Good luck
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 10


https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-ambe...ber-list-rules
If you are fully vaccinated
After you arrive in England you must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2.This applies if you’re fully vaccinated under either:
- the UK vaccination programme
- the UK vaccine programme overseas
- an approved vaccination programme in Europe or the USA - not all are recognised in England
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-q...ive-in-england
What counts as fully vaccinated
You may not be considered to be fully vaccinated for the purpose of entering the UK even if you’re considered to be fully vaccinated in your country of origin.In the UK, ‘fully vaccinated’ means you’ve had either:
- 2 doses of an approved 2 dose vaccine (such as Pfizer or AstraZeneca)
- one dose of an approved single dose vaccine (such as Janssen)
#6
BE Enthusiast





Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 582












These are the rules if you are landing from an amber list country such as Saudi and you are fully vaccinated before departure by at least 14 days
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-ambe...ber-list-rules
This applies if you’re fully vaccinated under either:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-q...ive-in-england
In the UK, ‘fully vaccinated’ means you’ve had either:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-ambe...ber-list-rules
If you are fully vaccinated
After you arrive in England you must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2.This applies if you’re fully vaccinated under either:
- the UK vaccination programme
- the UK vaccine programme overseas
- an approved vaccination programme in Europe or the USA - not all are recognised in England
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-q...ive-in-england
What counts as fully vaccinated
You may not be considered to be fully vaccinated for the purpose of entering the UK even if you’re considered to be fully vaccinated in your country of origin.In the UK, ‘fully vaccinated’ means you’ve had either:
- 2 doses of an approved 2 dose vaccine (such as Pfizer or AstraZeneca)
- one dose of an approved single dose vaccine (such as Janssen)
Yeah …. Got all that and know it inside out but as the OP is ‘visiting’ the UK from Saudi …. High chance the vaccine has been done in Saudi which doesn’t qualify. I’m sure the OP will tell us.
#7

#8

Might be ok depending on the vaccine, I had Astra Zeneca in India and it's accepted in Europe generally as being vaccinated. Though the rules seem wildly inconsistent and subject to change
#9

It has to be administered by the NHS. You realise when you try and lie on the UK-locator form and it asks more questions... you either have to go down a rabbit hole of extra lies over lies or press the back button. I pressed the back button.
#10
Forum Regular




Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 298












You can see the list of test providers here. Prices from £20 to £675(!). Worth checking reviews, e.g. on Test Pilot.
https://www.find-travel-test-provide...est-type/amber
https://www.find-travel-test-provide...est-type/amber
#11
BE Enthusiast





Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 582












We’ve used an in person reputable clinic in London for our trips and using them again tomorrow…… cost a bit more but they are very efficient, they see you exactly on time and return the result with certificate same day. For me it was better the devil you know.
#12
Forum Regular




Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 298












Would definitely do this for 5 day test & release or for a test to allow travel. Cheaper (slower and possibly less reliable) tests for day 2 & 8 after arrival are worth considering, however, as they don't delay your release or or stop you travelling if they are slow.
#13

