Travel to UK
 

After 4 attempts and more wild goose chases, I have finally given up on getting my vaccine here in Portugal.

So, I need to return to the UK around the end of the month (Ryanair or Jet2, Faro to Stansted) and I'm still clear as mud as to what's required.

What tests are required to board a UK-bound flight and what's required for the UK? I seem to recall there was discussion of lateral flow tests from the Red Cross for the Portugal end - is that still an option?

I recall seeing a list of available tests once arrived in the UK, but can't find it now :o - does anyone have a link and/or recommendation?

Any recent experience of travel to the UK and/or suggestions would be helpful

Re: Travel to UK
 

For tests near Faro perhaps someone from nearby can confirm that the Red Cross is still doing valid testing for UK travel. Sorry to hear you have not been able to get your vacc done here in PT. Your airline will give you lots of instructions and forms/details to fill in when you do your booking so that should clear up some questions as you go. But to help clarify some aspects in advance ...

For re-entry to the UK - Start with this ... https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-ambe...#transit-stops
and you will follow the Amber listing (Portugal is on this) to the section below ...
<Before you travel to England you must:

• take a COVID-19 test – you must take the test in the 3 days before you travel to England
• book and pay for COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in England
• complete a passenger locator form

You must do these things whether you are fully vaccinated or not.>

and then
<If you are not fully vaccinated

If you do not qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, on arrival in England you must:

• quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
• take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8>

and they give you a link to their list of test providers in the UK - https://www.find-travel-test-provider.service.gov.uk/test-type>

Suggest also for updates on any possible changes before you go - if you are on Facebook to follow Safe Communities Portugal, or this group (which have direct links with the British Embassy in Portugal) -

Re: Travel to UK
 

I don't understand why you cannot get a vaccine. Any adult can walk up to a vaccine center now and get the vaccine. Here in Algarve "Open House" is usually between 3pm and 6pm, a little earlier in smaller Camaras. We did it in Silves with no problems.

Re: Travel to UK
 

Thanks..... I don't use Facebook, but a brief scan of "Brits in Portugal" suggests that I am far from alone in the stonewalling I've experienced when attempting to organize a jab. My wife, who is Portuguese, has had both doses, but I have just been pushed from pillar ro post.:unsure: Being out in the sticks doesn't help, but I've found that many people are very positive about pointing you at others, but less so when it comes to actually doing something themselves! When I spoke to the regional centre in Beja, the woman could hardly have been less helpful, even when I told her that SNS24 had advised nme to contact her!

Thanks also for the information and links provided - the lack of clarity overall makes me somewhat anxious, which is why I was hoping that someone with recent experience of making the UK trip would be able to offer some guidance.

Re: Travel to UK
 

I'm not in the Algarve.

Re: Travel to UK
 

I know. It is a Nationwide thing as far as I know.

https://covid19.min-saude.pt/casa_aberta

Re: Travel to UK
 

Obviously not, see my comment re Beja - and this is only for those with an existing numero do utente. SNS24 said my local health authority could supply a temporary numero do utente and provide vaccination. Locals deny this and point me at Beja. Beja offers NOTHING, except to put me on a list to receive leftover vaccine (this after we'd eplained that we are 90 minutes from Beja!) Round and round and round we go..... My wife is Portuguese, so there's no misunderstanding, just no process.

However, I'm not going to chase any more wild geese, here or in the real world, I've given up - which is why I want to line up my ducks for a flight to the UK.

Re: Travel to UK
 

Apologies, I did not realise you do not have an Utente number.

Re: Travel to UK
 

No problem - however many people who registered last year still have no utente number...... A local couple who are older than me have begged the Presidente da câmara, the local health office and their GP for someone to sort this out for them, with no success. The process for vaccination without a number just doesn't work (here at least).

Re: Travel to UK
 

OK, so no further general advice regarding testing - For exiting Portugal I'll contact the Red Cross and see what they say.

Once back in the UK, one of the cheapest day 2 & 8 solutions seems to be from dante labs.... but there are plenty of complaints, mainly from people who have ordered the release tests or the "fit to fly" tests and got the tests or the results later than expected. However, once I have their code, I can use that to enter the UK and scuttle off home.

But what happens if they don't send the test or the results for day 2 or day 8?

Again, any advice welcome - especially from anyone with recent eperience

Re: Travel to UK
 

I thought it was in the wind that the UK was going to remove the requirement for testing post arrival on those who are certified double jabbed ?

[ I realise this is not your particular case but am wondering if that change is on the way. ]

You still have nowhere driveable to that could put you on the list for leftover jabs they will otherwise throw away ? If you know of such a place / Clinic / wherever I would be tempted to go there for 4pm and start begging. At some point someone may take pity.

Does anyone have any more info on the leftover jabs thing ? E.g., where would one ask about such in Vila Real de Sto Anto'nio ?

Re: Travel to UK
 

The only such centre is 65km away...... a bit far for a wild goose chase! Why the local vaccination centres can't do the same, beats me..... and here in the Alentejo they are few and far between.

Goodness knows what the UK is planning..... the day 2 & 8 testing seems to be a disorganized rip-off - recognized as such, but not being changed. Prices vary hugely and complaints are high - plus very, very few PCR tests are actually analysed to see what variant any virus is, yet everyone is forced to pay sky-high (and unregulated) prices for them. "We are led by science profit"

However, again, interesting as this is, it doesn't answer my questions

Re: Travel to UK
 

Can't you invent other reason/s for a a day out at the place you mentioned 65 kms away ? I would give that a go at least before the faffing around on arrival in the UK .

Re: Travel to UK
 

No, I've already wasted months chasing wild geese. It's over.

Re: Travel to UK
 

Riv - if MacLiam is going at the end of the month it is now too late for the vaccines anyway as there is a time lag after receiving the vaccine for the certificate to be valid (slightly different gap of time for different vaccines) eg J&J Janssen is 4 weeks after the one jab ... so
MacLiam needs advice from folk with experience going into the UK ... and the need for 2 and 8 day testing while there.
According to the updated HM Govt website Portugal is now on the amber list.
You can now go to a pharmacy in your local town (we asked in Tomar) to make an appointment for a Covid antigen test which is recognised for air travel ("an LFD (lateral flow device) test") - they do it for you probably by prior appointment, and give your results via email - quoted as 26 euros when we asked last week.
You will get a link to the Passenger Locator Form to fill in online, when you book your flight ticket. It needs details of the flight and seat number, so you cannot do it til you make your booking.

So that gets you to the UK ...