Travel to UK
#31
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 657
Re: Travel to UK
I'm a little confused, again!!.
A few people are saying they are having the antigen test to enter UK. Is that sufficient as everything I read suggests a PCR to enter UK.
Secondly could I ask do you have to show a negative test to board the plane / boat or is it just for entry to the country you are going to, I e. If the country you are visiting accepts double jabbed certificate is that good enough to board the plane / boat?
Thirdly, last week the Matt Hancock replacement, can't remember his name, stated that NHS Covid Travel Tests would now be capped at £68, but nobody knows how to get an NHS Covid Travel Test.
The NHS site just directs you to private companies, my local GP surgery had no idea either.
A few people are saying they are having the antigen test to enter UK. Is that sufficient as everything I read suggests a PCR to enter UK.
Secondly could I ask do you have to show a negative test to board the plane / boat or is it just for entry to the country you are going to, I e. If the country you are visiting accepts double jabbed certificate is that good enough to board the plane / boat?
Thirdly, last week the Matt Hancock replacement, can't remember his name, stated that NHS Covid Travel Tests would now be capped at £68, but nobody knows how to get an NHS Covid Travel Test.
The NHS site just directs you to private companies, my local GP surgery had no idea either.
#33
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 657
Re: Travel to UK
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cit...vel-to-68/amp/
#34
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 809
Re: Travel to UK
Oh this relates to a place in the fol~de~rol that I haven't reached yet - returning to the UK from places abroad.
The rules keep changing so frequently that I kind of decided to not get into the detail of how you return to Uk until nearer the time I am likely to do it ( October ).
But I was not aware that the NHS was providing these day 2 , day whatever Tests ( and then charging ? Does the NHS even have a till mechanism for charging ? ) But perhaps they are.
Am still hoping that ( as was mooted ) they will stop requiring testing for anyone returning who is ( certified ) double jabbed.
The rules keep changing so frequently that I kind of decided to not get into the detail of how you return to Uk until nearer the time I am likely to do it ( October ).
But I was not aware that the NHS was providing these day 2 , day whatever Tests ( and then charging ? Does the NHS even have a till mechanism for charging ? ) But perhaps they are.
Am still hoping that ( as was mooted ) they will stop requiring testing for anyone returning who is ( certified ) double jabbed.
#35
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2018
Location: Obidos
Posts: 298
Re: Travel to UK
I understand what you mean, but I'd feel uncomforable leaving the test until arrival at the airport - seems a hostage to fortune.
I'm also constrained when it comes to UK testing as I'll be in Suffolk.... so it looks like postal only
I'll revisit options once I book my flight and have details..... currenttly I'm still waiting for someone to come and look at my borehole connection as it's doing a fair impression of a garden fountain and tripping the electrics every so often
I've only been waiting since Tuesday for someone to come the whole 10km and see what needs to be done..... it IS Portugal AND August
I'm also constrained when it comes to UK testing as I'll be in Suffolk.... so it looks like postal only
I'll revisit options once I book my flight and have details..... currenttly I'm still waiting for someone to come and look at my borehole connection as it's doing a fair impression of a garden fountain and tripping the electrics every so often
I've only been waiting since Tuesday for someone to come the whole 10km and see what needs to be done..... it IS Portugal AND August
What that will do to demand and cost will remain to be seen!
#36
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 237
Re: Travel to UK
The government reviews travel requirements every 3 weeks the next announcement will be this Wednesday or Thursday. At present if you are fully vaccinated with certificate and you are coming from an amber list country like Portugal you need an antigen also called lateral flow test when checking in at the airport.. These requirements should also be available on the airline's website.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavi...ing-to-england
If you check out the above government website link it does however recommend a PCR test if you are travelling from Spain.
You also have to organise a pre booked Day 2 PCR test which has to be carried out within two days of arrival in the UK.
A list of recommended test providers can be found on the government website a lot of them are dodgy - let's hope it will be sanitised see BBC report.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58300897
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavi...ing-to-england
If you check out the above government website link it does however recommend a PCR test if you are travelling from Spain.
You also have to organise a pre booked Day 2 PCR test which has to be carried out within two days of arrival in the UK.
A list of recommended test providers can be found on the government website a lot of them are dodgy - let's hope it will be sanitised see BBC report.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58300897
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Tunbridge Wells KENT
Posts: 2,914
Re: Travel to UK
I'm a little confused, again!!.
A few people are saying they are having the antigen test to enter UK. Is that sufficient as everything I read suggests a PCR to enter UK.
Secondly could I ask do you have to show a negative test to board the plane / boat or is it just for entry to the country you are going to, I e. If the country you are visiting accepts double jabbed certificate is that good enough to board the plane / boat?
Thirdly, last week the Matt Hancock replacement, can't remember his name, stated that NHS Covid Travel Tests would now be capped at £68, but nobody knows how to get an NHS Covid Travel Test.
The NHS site just directs you to private companies, my local GP surgery had no idea either.
A few people are saying they are having the antigen test to enter UK. Is that sufficient as everything I read suggests a PCR to enter UK.
Secondly could I ask do you have to show a negative test to board the plane / boat or is it just for entry to the country you are going to, I e. If the country you are visiting accepts double jabbed certificate is that good enough to board the plane / boat?
Thirdly, last week the Matt Hancock replacement, can't remember his name, stated that NHS Covid Travel Tests would now be capped at £68, but nobody knows how to get an NHS Covid Travel Test.
The NHS site just directs you to private companies, my local GP surgery had no idea either.
Type of test
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
Pre-arrival Approved test types have been that way for quite a while BUT it's the after arrival tests that have to be PCR.
#38
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Wales/Ribatejo
Posts: 575
Re: Travel to UK
"Secondly could I ask do you have to show a negative test to board the plane / boat or is it just for entry to the country you are going to".
We had to show our neg test at passport control to board the boat at Santander. Printed version in Portuguese was accepted there,but needed the English version on arrival in UK on our phone. On hindsight , try and have printed versions as finding our locator form on the phone was a hassle .Told us to park up and find it(no-one was behind us) kept our passports and I ended up having my passport stamped as she deceided she wanted to keep our passports while we looked.
We had to show our neg test at passport control to board the boat at Santander. Printed version in Portuguese was accepted there,but needed the English version on arrival in UK on our phone. On hindsight , try and have printed versions as finding our locator form on the phone was a hassle .Told us to park up and find it(no-one was behind us) kept our passports and I ended up having my passport stamped as she deceided she wanted to keep our passports while we looked.
#39
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Tunbridge Wells KENT
Posts: 2,914
Re: Travel to UK
"Secondly could I ask do you have to show a negative test to board the plane / boat or is it just for entry to the country you are going to".
We had to show our neg test at passport control to board the boat at Santander. Printed version in Portuguese was accepted there,but needed the English version on arrival in UK on our phone. On hindsight , try and have printed versions as finding our locator form on the phone was a hassle .Told us to park up and find it(no-one was behind us) kept our passports and I ended up having my passport stamped as she deceided she wanted to keep our passports while we looked.
We had to show our neg test at passport control to board the boat at Santander. Printed version in Portuguese was accepted there,but needed the English version on arrival in UK on our phone. On hindsight , try and have printed versions as finding our locator form on the phone was a hassle .Told us to park up and find it(no-one was behind us) kept our passports and I ended up having my passport stamped as she deceided she wanted to keep our passports while we looked.
We are also aware that it is the AIRLINES and their passenger service agents which have in the main been given responsibility for checking paperwork at check-in/boarding so there is typically minimal checking at the point of arrival, other than at LHR, so it seems. Next to NO checking arriving in mainland Portugal and Madeira. Minimal checking at LGW, if one didn't get thru the gate.
Last edited by Pistolpete2; Aug 23rd 2021 at 8:34 am.
#40
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 657
Re: Travel to UK
Thanks to all for valuable info.
We are going to chance the boat in October, and if we have to pay for tests so be it.
One of my drinking buddies, 10 years my junior dropped dead the other day, loads of money in the bank, three houses, no good to him now, may as well just do a Viv Nicholson while you are here!!
We are going to chance the boat in October, and if we have to pay for tests so be it.
One of my drinking buddies, 10 years my junior dropped dead the other day, loads of money in the bank, three houses, no good to him now, may as well just do a Viv Nicholson while you are here!!
#41
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 809
Re: Travel to UK
"" One of my drinking buddies, 10 years my junior dropped dead the other day, loads of money in the bank, three houses, no good to him now, may as well just do a Viv Nicholson while you are here!! ""
Now you know one of my motivations for contemplating buying a new car for the first time in my life [ ok, only a Dacia - but we have to start undoing the habits of a lifetime somewhere......]
Now you know one of my motivations for contemplating buying a new car for the first time in my life [ ok, only a Dacia - but we have to start undoing the habits of a lifetime somewhere......]
#42
Resident Cynic
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 15,025
Re: Travel to UK
As a postscript, MoneySavingExpert has just published a review of testing, which gives some information on the tests available - and the better vendors.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tr...#arrivalseight
If, like me, you don't live in a city with a test lab and there are no Randox drop-boxes nearby, there is one stand-out - Testing For All is a non-profit, scores 4.3 on Trustpilot and costs £48 for Day 2, or £89 for Day2 & 8
https://www.testingforall.org/product/day-2-day-8/
Hope this helps....
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tr...#arrivalseight
If, like me, you don't live in a city with a test lab and there are no Randox drop-boxes nearby, there is one stand-out - Testing For All is a non-profit, scores 4.3 on Trustpilot and costs £48 for Day 2, or £89 for Day2 & 8
https://www.testingforall.org/product/day-2-day-8/
Hope this helps....
#43
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 569
Re: Travel to UK
As a postscript, MoneySavingExpert has just published a review of testing, which gives some information on the tests available - and the better vendors.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tr...#arrivalseight
If, like me, you don't live in a city with a test lab and there are no Randox drop-boxes nearby, there is one stand-out - Testing For All is a non-profit, scores 4.3 on Trustpilot and costs £48 for Day 2, or £89 for Day2 & 8
https://www.testingforall.org/product/day-2-day-8/
Hope this helps....
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tr...#arrivalseight
If, like me, you don't live in a city with a test lab and there are no Randox drop-boxes nearby, there is one stand-out - Testing For All is a non-profit, scores 4.3 on Trustpilot and costs £48 for Day 2, or £89 for Day2 & 8
https://www.testingforall.org/product/day-2-day-8/
Hope this helps....
In the discount code box and they knock a fiver off, no check is done 👍
#45
Re: Travel to UK
We have had instances in our travels over the last couple of months where we had received a pre-alert that BA were insisting on paper version of the PLF in order to allow check-in/boarding though there was some flexibility there.
We are also aware that it is the AIRLINES and their passenger service agents which have in the main been given responsibility for checking paperwork at check-in/boarding so there is typically minimal checking at the point of arrival, other than at LHR, so it seems. Next to NO checking arriving in mainland Portugal and Madeira. Minimal checking at LGW, if one didn't get thru the gate.
We are also aware that it is the AIRLINES and their passenger service agents which have in the main been given responsibility for checking paperwork at check-in/boarding so there is typically minimal checking at the point of arrival, other than at LHR, so it seems. Next to NO checking arriving in mainland Portugal and Madeira. Minimal checking at LGW, if one didn't get thru the gate.