Desert Shaikh

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.

Taz786

I used Randox Health. They have discount codes generally. I used 'Emirates' code and it provided 10% discount. Not sure if there is any other code with a greater value.

Afahd

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

UKMS

out of interest why do you say you don’t need day 8 ? …… if you’ve been vaccinated in Saudi (I’ve assumed the OP has been) you need day 2 and 8

Afahd

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

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

This is the link of how to prove you are fully vaccinated

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)

You must have had your final dose at least 14 whole days before you arrive in England. The day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days.

UKMS

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.

Millhouse

I feel like he skipped over the sentence he didn't like.

weasel decentral

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

Millhouse

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.

tdrinker

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

UKMS

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.

tdrinker

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.

weasel decentral

Did the back button get bigger as you progressed in your web of lies it seems the website is designed to flush out those who lie on the basis of calculated risk though I'm sure dumb asses still continue obliviously