4am Tuesday is the start time for PCR tests and compulsory isolation

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• Ansiella Grima says:

  28 Nov28 November 11:14

  I will arrive in UK on the 30th December for a short break we will do the PCR test on the same time arrival at the Heathrow Airport and then we have to isolate ourselves in the hotel until we receive the results can someone please answer my questions

  • Rob says:

    28 Nov28 November 13:23

    Correct.

    Note you can pay for a 3-hour PCR test at Heathrow which realistically means no isolation.

    • Frankie says:

      28 Nov28 November 13:46

      Hi Rob. But can you pre book the 3 hour test and get a code for the PLF before flying? I’ve been on Express Test website today as friends need one asap when arriving from Seattle in two weeks. I can’t see that it can work as a day 2 arrival giving a PLF code unless I’m mistaken.

      • TGLoyalty says:

        28 Nov28 November 15:18

        It’s too early to say what the testing providers will offer. Rapid facilities exist for Fit to fly and they may extend for arrivals needing a “day 2”

        However, take a Randox mail order day 2 asap after landing and stick it in the Dropbox before it collects for the day and you’ll have the result by lunchtime the next day.

  • GeorgeJ says:

    28 Nov28 November 16:47

    Personally I wouldn’t worry about what happens in over a months time since the rules will have changed by then anyway! It will be either nothing to worry about or total disaster.

• John T says:

  28 Nov28 November 12:08

  It’s a shame this is all happening now and not in January given last Christmas was cancelled. I think if we’d all had a normal Christmas we wouldn’t be bothered with new restrictions in January when lots of people stay home anyway.

  • John says:

    28 Nov28 November 12:54

    Maybe Christmas should be moved to November

  • Rich says:

    28 Nov28 November 13:35

    Yep, it’s a shame that blasted COVID and the desire to reduce potential deaths isn’t working around our first world requirements isn’t it?!

    • Novice says:

      28 Nov28 November 15:11

      😂

  • David says:

    28 Nov28 November 21:02

    More than happy with the restrictions, thanks.

• Steve says:

  28 Nov28 November 12:11

  Am I right to think that in the past the wording on day 2 tests allowed them to be taken prior to day zero, so that eg for a weekend break you could take the test before leaving the country? That might help reduce the isolation period to a minimum…

  • John says:

    28 Nov28 November 12:55

    No, they must be taken after arriving in the UK.

    When there were pre-flight tests you could take them before leaving the UK as they just had to be 3 days before your arrival.

• Aaron C says:

  28 Nov28 November 12:18

  If I booked a rapid 3hr “pre-departure” PCR with Collinson and simply used the PLF from my already-booked LFT would I be breaking any rules? Surely as long as I have a negative PCR I can crack on? Take the PCR on landing and the results will be with me by the time I’m home. If anyone says anything I can simply show my emailed negative results, no?

  • John says:

    28 Nov28 November 12:57

    Without reading the as yet unpublished law, nobody can say.

    But when you enter the UK you would have evidence that you’ve booked a PCR test even if it didn’t come with a PLF code, which might satisfy the conditions.

    Only hitch may be if they change the PLF code format.

• Pat says:

  28 Nov28 November 12:41

  I’m glad I booked an arrival test last night. I’m coming in from NYC on Friday and slots were filling up.

  I’m also hoping Qured will refund me for the day 2 rapid test I had originally ordered.

• Peter Taysum says:

  28 Nov28 November 12:51

  Dear all,

  I’m flying to Turkey for Christmas, return 26th December; I’m due to fly NCL to LHR on 29th December at 07:05 then on to SEA.

  I THINK I need PCR ASAP on return, isolate and NEGATIVE PCR result BEFORE I can fly NCL to SEA.

  Not sure when I can get PCR on return, so will need PCR sent out in advance before Christmas.

  Sorry to be dense, but my head is exploding!

  Thanks,
  Peter

  • John says:

    28 Nov28 November 13:01

    As day 2 is 28 Dec, you can’t escape from having to do it.

    US can be LFT but must be supervised. But you might as well try to use your day 2 test for the US, so it would be a PCR anyway.

    Day -3 for the US is 26 Dec, which suits you doing it ASAP on return from Turkey too.

• Angela says:

  28 Nov28 November 13:08

  Leaving the US December 1st to the UK. What do I need to do. Booked my day 2 test for when I get home. Could you tell me if this have changed now thanks.

  • Rob says:

    28 Nov28 November 13:18

    You need a Day 2 PCR test. If you booked a Day 2 lateral flow, chuck it away or keep it to use next year. You cannot leave your home until you get a negative result to the PCR.

• Scott says:

  28 Nov28 November 13:10

  I’m still none the wiser as to testing when you’ve had Covid.

  Tested positive on the 31st Oct.

  Coming back into the UK at around lunchtime on the 30th, so leaving LAX 3am or so UK time.

  Happy to do the test on my return, but don’t want to throw £43-£60+ down the drain if i could prove positive for another 2 months.

  Can’t find anything with regards to how a Covid recovery certificate comes into play here, and there must be others in the same boat.
  I.e. does it exempt me; don’t do the normal day lateral flow etc.

  • Rob says:

    28 Nov28 November 13:17

    Nothing exempts you.

  • James says:

    28 Nov28 November 14:01

    You just have to accept there’s a risk it may show up positive again

    • Scott says:

      28 Nov28 November 14:19

      Usual ambiguous Government advice “don’t take a test”, “but take a test”.

    • Lady London says:

      28 Nov28 November 14:32

      At least you’re not coming back from a red list country.

      • Scott says:

        28 Nov28 November 14:57

        Still a day to go, so who knows! 😉

  • Terwri says:

    28 Nov28 November 14:25

    Same here. Positive test oct 27 and now recovered. Im in the US until into Dec but may call 119 before i return to see if they have any ideas

    • Rui N. says:

      28 Nov28 November 15:50

      What ideas do you expect them to have?

      • Scott says:

        28 Nov28 November 16:01

        I’ve no problem taking a test if required, but one set of advice says not to.
        I don’t want to get a positive result and perhaps have to isolate at home for 10 days. Won’t be able to work, and they won’t pay me.

        Got another US trip on the 9th Dec, so if I go, I may well end up with another 10 days of isolation on my return.
        Could take a NHS test to test the waters I suppose, but that’s no good at this point.

        Not sure what the point of a recovery certificate is if you have to take a PCR test and get a negative result anyway.

        Can’t really book a test until say simplytestme make them available (assuming I need a code for the plf?). Not sure if I can get back to the UK and book a test then, or if it has to be in place in advance?
        Don’t know if this affects check in either. Check in opens in a few hours and if required, can’t finish verify until tomorrow

        • John says:

          28 Nov28 November 18:03

          Too bad, you just have to take the risk or not come back to the UK, or break the law.

          In some countries proof of recovery is equivalent to being vaccinated – but with omicron even being vaccinated doesn’t exempt you from quarantine (including in other countries)

        • Rui N. says:

          28 Nov28 November 18:07

          Taking a test is required to enter the UK, and it has been for a while. Recovery from Covid has never been a factor in that requirement. Don’t really understand what is the question here.

        • Roy says:

          28 Nov28 November 19:47

          I think the guidance you’re reading will be withdrawn. Currently (pre-Tuesday) vaccinated travellers can use either a lateral flow test or a PCR test for the day 2 test, and guidance suggests to avoid a PCR test if you have recently recovered.

          As of Tuesday, you will no longer have a choice as to type of test, and that guidance you are reading will (well should) be withdrawn, as it will no longer be relevant.

      • Terwri says:

        28 Nov28 November 23:47

        Same as Scott below – advised not to take a PCR as a recent recoveree but now must do. It is what it is I guess.

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