Please consider your morals of spreading a potentially deadly virus before you consider that.
I am not arguing that, as said it is why i am very wary of flying, people will abuse the system. The current system is little more than a money making scheme and not about public health. The government have decided to get everyone infected and to hell with the consequences.
We’re booked with Jet2 so it’s not like I can even ring them and ask for advice as they don’t answer their phones…
3hrs on Saturday to change a flight in response to the schedule shifting 🙁
OTOH they won't speak to you about the covid testing etc beyond saying "here's the govt advice website"
I managed to catch Covid last week
You’ve still got 2.5 weeks, you should be OK
Touch and go but you might be clear, unlikely you'll test negative inside of a month from a positive though. That said this should (along with the don't test for a month advice) be in the info following your positive test result (assume you've corroborated with a pcr not just an lft)
It's about 50:50 that you'll be positive again on a PCR 21 days after a positive. After that time you're highly unlikely to be contaigeous unless still showing symptons.
And - the rules could be different on October 1, keep an eye on todays announcement.
Our thoughts on The Sun's political leaning and opinion pieces aside, they have been fairly good at predicting reproducing the "official" government leaks before anyone else throughout the pandemic.
Their current line on foreign travel is:
International travel
No 10 is keen to simplify travel restrictions and ditch the requirement for costly PCR tests, and the PM may shed more light on his plans.Boris is looking at proposals to replace the traffic light system which has confused sun seekers with multiple categories.
In future there could just be two lists - one with countries people can travel to and anther for those they can't.
Mr Javid has also vowed to get rid of the need for PCR tests which can add hundreds of pounds onto the cost of a family holiday.
But Ms Coffey said ministers will have to take time to ensure that's safe, as the gold-standard swabs are used to track variants.
Reply from NHS T&T Service below when I asked about recent Covid diagnosis and testing for holidays:
Upon arrival of England, all international arrivals are required to take PCR tests on day 2 of arrival even if they have had Covid-19 previously. This is to ensure potential Covid-19 variants of concern (VOCs) are identified promptly, minimizing the spread of infection with these potential variants to the population.
The International Contact Tracing, run by Public Health England have protocols to follow when a positive case is identified from a day 2 PCR test, the decisions are made on a case by case basis. Any information regarding previous positive tests would be taken into consideration at the time of their decision
Covid-19 Recovery - Pre departure testing
If you have had Covid-19 in the last 90 days we would recommend that you select a lateral flow device (LFD) for pre-departure testing, as LFDs are significantly less likely to give persistent positives for someone who has tested positive within the previous 90 days. Further information on the types of tests that meet the criteria for pre-departure testing are listed on gov.uk – for LFDs, these must meet the minimum standards of 80% sensitivity and 97% specificity.
If you have recently recovered from COVID but are no longer infectious, you should use a lateral flow device (LFD) test. LFD tests have a lower sensitivity than PCR or LAMP tests, so they are less likely to return a positive result from a historic infection. The LFD test must meet the minimum performance standards as set out above.
Back from France via Brittany Ferries. Some slightly fiddly paperwork, to the extent we printed everything to save phone scrolling confusion, but other than that and the pharmacist who went about his work with considerable vigour, shouting something like "celui-ci est pour la france bâtard d'anglais" whilst shoving a cotton bud thing via my nose into the lower reaches of my brain, all was really pretty smooth.
Getting on and off the v quiet ferry and through police etc was quicker than in usual busy times new forms regardless. Kind of don't want to say that as now everyone will want to go and we'll be back with busy.
PCR 2-day booked before leaving with Randox (thru Coop website initially). Not the cheapest at 50 something quid. Did tests yesterday, dropped off at a pharmacy a half hour drive away, got results (-ve) this lunchtime. The end.
Main thing I was worried about was getting covid and having to isolate over there. Would not have been a minor inconvenience.
Well, my last day of Covid Jail was yesterday and 2 magical things have happened today.
The first was that my NHS app which had made all my vaccine records disappear while I had the lurgy has now sorted itself out and is showing my vaccine records, test results etc.
The second is that I took my third LFT of the week and it came up clear, no faint red line anymore. This makes me think that there's a good chance that my travel LFTs will be clear for Portugal too so there's a good probability of getting on the plane at both ends.
Huzzah!
Been to Portugal and france this summer
Both very easy...
Used the Klarity app Lateral flow test last week. You just record video of yourself doing the test on the app and then send picture of test result...frankly could have been anyones..fit to fly letter sent 10 minutes later. avoids going to any local pharmacy etc..
[strong][/strong] wrote:
Back from France via Brittany Ferries
Good to hear your report as we sail with them tomorrow.
Looks like big changes being announced today, with lateral flow replacing PCR and the list being go/no go to replace the traffic lights.
Well, they mange to make it easier but not very clear:
a) There is only a red list, everywhere else you can go to
b) If vaccinated, you don't need an in-bound to UK test anymore
c) Do you need an outbound test? Who knows, but maybe it depends on the destination.
d) Do you need a day 2 test from October 4th? I think so, but not clear, yet from October 30th you do and this can be a Lateral Flow test.
I think.
c) Do you need an outbound test? Who knows, but maybe it depends on the destination.
Depends on destinaton and your age/vaccination status. The country you are visiting sets these rules.
d) Do you need a day 2 test from October 4th? I think so, but not clear, yet from October 30th you do and this can be a Lateral Flow test.
From 4th Oct you don't need to take a pre departure test 3 days before you fly back to UK, but you still need to do a pcr test on day 2 after you get back.
After end of Oct you don't need a pcr test on day 2,but need to do a lft on day 2 instead.
After end of Oct you don’t need a pcr test on day 2,but need to do a lft on day 2 instead.
Yes is all becoming a bit clearer now. I’d love to know the the date - I don’t think Schapps provided one - as half term returnees will want the the cheaper option. I believe he said “…near the end of October…”
Who are people using for day 2 PCR test, I found one £67 on the goverment list, is that about the going rate?
These are cheap - are they ok to use? or do you have to pick one off of the government website?
https://www.expert-medicals.co.uk/products/fully-vaccinated-amber-arrivals-day-2-test-kit-home-kit
I'm still waiting to hear when this "end of October" date for change from PCR to LFT actually is. The 31st or, as hinted by Shapps, maybe a bit before that. We're due back in UK from France on 28th.
Who are people using for day 2 PCR test, I found one £67 on the goverment list, is that about the going rate?
we've been using randox, as have most people that we know, £48 each, cheaper with a coupon. from memory i think its a jet2 or tui coupon, should be easy enough to find online.....
These are cheap – are they ok to use? or do you have to pick one off of the government website?
https://www.expert-medicals.co.uk/products/fully-vaccinated-amber-arrivals-day-2-test-kit-home-kit
/blockquote>theres a tripadvisor thread going on at the minute about them, im not sure what the outcome was and havent read it, but may be of interest?
tripadvisor expert medical thread
I just ordered a test from testingforall.org. £48 diy. Quite easy to navigate the website and I got the order reference, which is, frankly, all I want - they can post the test out or not.
Thanks.. Ive got my reference number through now for the locator form so as long as that works then all good.
Thanks @sadexpunk
It seems the complaints are around them sending test kits out late or not sending results back quickly, not allowing refunds etc..
I guess I've fulfilled my obligations so if something goes wrong it's not my responsibility.
I've just used a chronomics test for a return to UK test and will be using them for a day 2 test. £20 for both tests via TUI, so only £40 total for 2 people.
Website was easy to use, just needed to register the test and send a photo of the completed test result.
Back on the beer now for the remains of the holiday 🍺😃
Was going to say if you fly with TUI you can book through them for 20 quid... Was just told by a friend.
That's a bargain @retrorick
Got back from Spain on Sunday. Had an "eventful" week in the Apujarra. French customs were no bother at all with our motorbikes on the trailer. Spanish customs didn't exist. Riding was amazing. My VW van's reliability not so much. It's currently residing in a VW van centre in Motril, along with the trailer while VW work out whether to repatriate it or repair it (it ate its water). Current estimates are that it'll take up to 21 days to get it back. VW are unsure of the customs implications.
Oh, that's a bad end to what must have been an awesome trip. Fingers crossed your van makes it back eventually!
Sorry to ask this again but..... has anyone found the definitive date from which the requirement for the 2 day test changes from PCR to LFT? The original announcement from Shapps said somethig like "end of October". But I haven't found it defined as 31st October. The Gov website doesn't seem to clarify it.
Vested interest as we return into the UK (from France) on 28 October.
Sorry to ask this again but….. has anyone found the definitive date from which the requirement for the 2 day test changes from PCR to LFT?
its not been announced yet - the govt are also being hassled by most of the travel industry to give a hard date.
Apparently there is a shortage of LFT tests in the private sector, because they've been focussing on providing pcr tests
We used Expert Medical when coming home from France, they were pretty good.
<div class="bbp-reply-author d-flex align-items-center flex-wrap"><span class="bbp-author-name">julians</span>
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<div class="bbp-reply-content p-0">Sorry to ask this again but….. has anyone found the definitive date from which the requirement for the 2 day test changes from PCR to LFT?
its not been announced yet – the govt are also being hassled by most of the travel industry to give a hard date.
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Thanks... I got the impression that might be the case. Just what you'd expect from them...vagueness.
Sorry for the format above... this forum won't let me edit it or do anything with it.
Just got a day two PCR test from 'Nationwide Pathology' pulled at random from dozens of approved providers on the .gov website. £40.
Off to Greece for a weeks sailing in the Ionian a week on Sunday. First trip abroad for yonks, excited,
Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd share this that I saw:
i'd assumed that was the case when France banned UK holiday makers in mid-Dec (germany also)
No, it changed on Tuesday. We are resident in Catalonia but British citizens, before Omicron was discovered we'd booked the tunnel and a couple of hotels in France for a road trip to see the kids for Christmas, 1st time in 2 years for me. The key word was the definition of a compelling reason which stated UK national returning to the UK were allowed and on the return trip, EU residents transiting through France to their home were allowed. We returned on Sunday, just before the French closed the transiting option, otherwise we were faced with a £600 ferry direct to Spain. Smells a lot like Macron playing to the gallery pre elections in April. The vaccination level in France is way behind other EU countries. Our week long trip involved us being triple vaccinated, countless online form filling, 3 PCR tests and to cap it all No1 son tested positive 2 hours before we got to Sheffield so we couldn't see him anyway!
My feeling is that by summer, it will be "Get jabbed & every man for himself"
Looks like you can travel 'through France' by air though, as long as you stay airside in the airport, like waiting for a connecting flight.
The vaccination level in France is way behind other EU countries.
Rubbish, France has one of the highest rates of vaccination around.
As of today, 89.6% of population over 12 fully-vaccinated, 41% boosted.
I was lucky to get to Italy for a few days when it was just LFT that was needed both ways. Hopefully after the winter covid surge falls away then it’ll go back to that.
so with a return to minimal testing on arrival to the UK - most soon to require just a paid for LFT.
and noises surrounding the end of free LFTs (just get on with it) and also the necessity for Boosters and or N+1 vaccinactions expecting to be reduced to the more vulnerable categories...
I wonder how long it will be till travel is test free, including for the unvaccinated.
This year seems a little quick, but things move fast...
Have I made a massive mistake booking Amsterdam first week of April. When booking the flights last week I assumed everyone was open for business now. Looks like in the Netherlands, they class the UK as non-EU and very high risk. So unless I'm reading the mass of confusing info wrong. We can only go if we have a good reason (Holiday isn't!!) or full vaccinated (we are) and take a rapid flow test 24hrs before. Am I reading this right...
Have I made a massive mistake booking Amsterdam first week of April. When booking the flights last week I assumed everyone was open for business now. Looks like in the Netherlands, they class the UK as non-EU and very high risk. So unless I’m reading the mass of confusing info wrong. We can only go if we have a good reason (Holiday isn’t!!) or full vaccinated (we are) and take a rapid flow test 24hrs before. Am I reading this right…
Have a read here, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/netherlands/entry-requirements
I think youre ok if you had your booster at least 7 days before travel.
Not withstanding what that page says,I'd expect the rules to change before you travel anyway,I expect them to get less restrictive.
they class the UK as non-EU
errrr..
For France the requirement has just been changed
"From 12 February 2022, fully vaccinated (see ‘Vaccination status’ below) travellers from the UK no longer need to present a negative PCR or antigen test result before travel."
Just booked the tunnel for late March.
one thing to watch, Switzerland require the last infection/vaccination to be within 270days to count.
