UH-OH... 😢 Re: The news that French returnees have to quarantine even if double-jabbed with NHS _administered_ jabs. Making a sort-of new 'Amber + category' 😱

I am still waiting to hear if Grant Schapps is still confident that NHS _approved_ jabs will count equally by the UK. As after all I have been jab2'd with exactly the same vax as approved in the UK. I mentioned this earlier here.

But this kind of 'draconian action' could affect all our plans, after all Spain + Belgium share just a land border with France with relatively free movement.

It just proves that international travel is just a real risk, as rules can (and do) change virtually and effectively overnight !! The (relatively new) adage that the virus "knows no borders" can be supplemented by "government's know no limits" !!

Yet another risk is 'reciprocal action'. If France decides to reciprocate (they've done it before).. then as huge influencers in the EU - that easily could have knock- on affects with other EU countries. (It's happened before),,,,,,,😭 Im not even sure if I can blame them... Also our case rate brings us onto their 'virus radar', anyway !!

Oh heck! Anyone wanting to go into the UK, e.g holiday- returnees or visitors (like me) have a huge banana-skin right on our road. 2+ years of planning of a UK holiday in September - delayed twice.... is now on my personal 'red list'

Jon

Seems that the delta B (South african) which is a small percentage of cases in France may be more resistant to the vaccine especially the AZ one
Surely they must have known this for sometime .
Is it just me that thinks we are not being told the whole truth about everything .

Or am I just being paranoid.

A member has reported a post in error but has asked this question in their report. Can anyone answer this for them.

Hi does anyone have a link to the San Roque hospital in Ayamonte to book an antigen test for the return back to the UK? Or know of anywhere else in Ayamonte? Thanks

Rosemary

https://www.urgenciassanroque.com/

​​​​​​Be stLoco

Thanks very much Loco, I am sure a few will be clicking on the link

Yes, part of me thinks get it done as late as possible in case there are delays but then it would be a concern as to whether the results would be back in time and then if "inconclusive" having the time, facility and opportunity to take another test ....arrrghhhh !

Just had our antigen negative result certificates emailed to us 70 minutes after uploading test results. Did test 36 hours before due back in UK even though possible to do 72 hours before. That way still valid for following day's flight, in case scheduled flight is delayed or cancelled. Wary of possible strikes by ground crew and baggage handlers.

Will order PCR day 2 test this evening and complete UK passenger locator form after that.

So far so good!

Hiya, great to get the test result back so soon, was this an online test or did you go to a local clinic please ? Just to be sure .....I thought the rapid antigen test had to be taken 48 hours (or less... say 36 hours as you did) before the flight and if taken any earlier (72 hours before ???) it would not meet the criteria to be able to board a flight back to England.
As pointed out in an earlier post best to print these tests and PLF off as well as having them on the 'phone. Have checked in online with Ryanair and see we have to upload test results and PLF onto the site as well - don't think this has been mentioned or made clear before. Makes sense but I had just not realised until checking in.
Thanks to all who have and are contributing to this thread - helpful to me and, I hope, to others also

For returning to the UK, covid test has to be taken within 72 hours prior to flight time. We uploaded out results to Ryanair, we also had to show our PLF and Covid test result at the boarding gate at Faro.
Once in Scotland we only had to show our passports as PLF information should be available on their computer already.
Hope this helps.

Mary.

Hi, hoping to be in CE in August for 1st time in nearly 2 years. Our friends have just returned and they used a company called Randox, recommended by Ryanair and Easyjet. For their return they had to take their results to a drop zone in Olhao in Portugal 2 days prior to travelling, Their results were emailed in time for travelling, though typically, drop zone was close. They spotted a lady inside and managed to get her attention. Apparently they close at 12. The cost of the tests for the round trip was almost £250/person.
How much is it to have the test taken in Ayamonte as previously mentioned?
Thanks
Steve

Thank you del Almendro & Mary. I have checked on the gov.uk site and can see you are both correct and why I got confused. To return to England, YES, a rapid lateral flow test 3 days/ 72 hours before the flight is fine.
The 48 hours is on my mind as, to enter Portugal, you need the rapid antigen test within 48 hours of boarding the flight. Also the PLF to complete online 4 days before arrival in Portugal

It really bugs me that we take the free NHS flow tests (gutted they are manufactured in China !!) twice a week and report the results. These are presented to us as being perfectly acceptable; however when it comes to travel abroad they are then deemed to be ineffectual and we have to pay one of the many covid expert testing companies that have appeared in recent weeks. If our Government has faith in this testing system it should stand by it to allow us to fly home. I understand if the country we are flying to does not accept the tests and specifies their own rules.

Randox imply you need a PCR test to return to UK but it is not so. A DIY rapid flow test purchased in UK before setting off to PT is sufficient @ £29 each way. We will buy our day 2 PCR test from Randox @ £43 to use once we have returned to UK. Anyone double-jabbed shouldn't be paying more than £101 total for all testing involved in a return trip UK-PT-UK.

Antigen test must be done up to 72 hours before scheduled ARRIVAL in UK, not 72 hours before boarding flight. Coming out to PT antigen test required up to 48 hours before boarding flight. Different destination country, different rules.

Here's hoping Boris doesn't shift the goalposts at this afternoon's Downing Street briefing.

Thank-you for the prompt update, that's interesting to know.

Online test performed at home and emailed to test provider. Negative certificate emailed back to us. Recommend c19testing.co.uk without hesitation. Fair price and prompt efficient service. PCR tests cheaper from Randox though.

Thanks again del Almendro for clarifying the before Arrival (in UK) And the before Boarding (flight to PT) I had not taken the different criteria in.