pcr test return to UK

[sassenach]

59 minutes ago, Don Regiano said:

or even the 28th depending on whether enough time before departure (I have met people who were doing that when I went for a pre-return test back in the summer).  Lateral flow test will do - result in 20 minutes.  The answer to your question I suspect is not often.

I thought it had to be a PCR test now? 

[Don Regiano]

24 minutes ago, sassenach said:

I thought it had to be a PCR test now? 

No, lateral flow will do.  Gov.UK:

"In light of emerging evidence on the Omicron variant, from 4am on Tuesday 7 December anyone aged 12 and above wishing to travel to the UK will need to show a negative pre-departure test (LFD or PCR) as close as possible to departure and not more than 48 hours before to slow the importation of the new variant"

 

I would have said it would be a bit difficult to take a PCR and get results within the set timescale.  I guess the PCR bit is covered by the Day 2 test after return.

[sassenach]

23 minutes ago, Don Regiano said:

No, lateral flow will do.  Gov.UK:

"In light of emerging evidence on the Omicron variant, from 4am on Tuesday 7 December anyone aged 12 and above wishing to travel to the UK will need to show a negative pre-departure test (LFD or PCR) as close as possible to departure and not more than 48 hours before to slow the importation of the new variant"

 

I would have said it would be a bit difficult to take a PCR and get results within the set timescale.  I guess the PCR bit is covered by the Day 2 test after return.

Crumbs, it's complicated. I suppose taking one of the free NHS test kits with you is not allowed, so you'd still have to arrange an LFD locally. 

[Don Regiano]

2 hours ago, sassenach said:

Crumbs, it's complicated. I suppose taking one of the free NHS test kits with you is not allowed, so you'd still have to arrange an LFD locally. 

Well, you cannot use the free NHS tests to satisfy the requirements.  I usually take one with me just to check before I go for the official test for returning to the UK.  It's not too bad for me as there is a pharmacy in the next village in France that does the tests.  I make a rendezvous with them for the day before I return to the UK.  It is necessary to book the Day 2 test before you return to the UK as you have to enter its reference number in the passenger locator form to be completed before you make the return journey.

[healdav]

On 06/12/2021 at 11:10, Don Regiano said:

or even the 28th depending on whether enough time before departure (I have met people who were doing that when I went for a pre-return test back in the summer).  Lateral flow test will do - result in 20 minutes.  The answer to your question I suspect is not often.

Problem is that over here, the test has to be done at a given centre, and I don't know whether any will be open on Boxing day. And a negative result comes back SMS (or a phone call if you are positive).

Would the British accept an SMS in French? I doubt it, if only on .... you grounds. A written certificate takes several days.

[Don Regiano]

3 hours ago, healdav said:

Problem is that over here, the test has to be done at a given centre, and I don't know whether any will be open on Boxing day. And a negative result comes back SMS (or a phone call if you are positive).

Would the British accept an SMS in French? I doubt it, if only on .... you grounds. A written certificate takes several days.

As I understand it, Monday 27 December is NOT a holiday in Luxembourg so you should be able to get a test then.  As I said before, depending on departure time on 28th it might be possible to get a test done then.  The last time I had a test, I got a written certificate while I waited and an electronic one shortly after.  Maybe the SMS will have a certificate attached.  Just make sure whoever is carrying out the test understands that it is for return to England and, therefore, a certificate (written or electronic) is required.  The certificate and the associated EU Digital covid certificate were both in French.  I uploaded to the Eurotunnel website and had paper copies.  There was no problem.  I suspect they just read the QR code that appears on those documents.  This was all in France though.

[chaz]

Another change today.

French government has announced no unnecessarily visits from the UK. truck drivers ok, and exceptional reasons, basically ruling out family and tourist visits.

best go on the Gov web site.

[slick63]

Yes, from zero hour on morning of Saturday 18th (this Saturday), no tourist or business travel. French passport holders and families are ok to travel.... LINK

Quote

• Both non-vaccinated and vaccinated people will be required to have a compelling reason to travel to or from the UK. These reasons will be listed in the annex and at the following address: https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Attestation-de-deplacement-et-de-voyage. People will not be permitted to travel as tourists or for professional reasons. Being French is a compelling reason to return to France. French people’s partners (spouses, PACS partners or cohabiting partners (on presentation of proof of cohabitation)) and their children will still be able to travel to France.