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Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:03 pm
by Mac3blade
Just been announced, a PCR test is necessary when travelling to th U.K. so the cheaper lateral test we know as the ANTIGEN is no longer permitted. More expense but we are still allowed to travel if double vaccinated.

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:45 pm
by suzi wong
Mac3blade wrote:Just been announced, a PCR test is necessary when travelling to th U.K. so the cheaper lateral test we know as the ANTIGEN is no longer permitted. More expense but we are still allowed to travel if double vaccinated.


As I read it you are urged to take a PCR test instead of lateral flow test. As far as I know we had to take a antigen test not lateral flow,why is it so confusing,is it that difficult to keep it simple?

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:50 pm
by Mac3blade
We all must keep abreast of the new restrictions and rules. It’s the way we have all grown used to. It’s the new Normal.

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:15 pm
by vale01
Mac3blade wrote:Just been announced, a PCR test is necessary when travelling to th U.K. so the cheaper lateral test we know as the ANTIGEN is no longer permitted. More expense but we are still allowed to travel if double vaccinated.

Its recommended but not a legal requirement....

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:16 pm
by Kingy0
I thought he said he'd like people to take a PCR test seemed to suggest it's not mandatory.

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 12:15 am
by Redwoodsman
GOV.UK - For ENGLAND

TYPE of Test

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

You must make sure that the test provider you choose can meet the standards for pre-departure testing.

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 nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device
It’s your responsibility to ensure the test meets the minimum standards for sensitivity, specificity and viral load details. You must check with your test provider that it meets those standards.

You may not be able to travel if the test does not meet these standards. It’s your responsibility to ensure you get the right test that meets the above requirements.

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:40 am
by Iancorker
This is the same wording as a few weeks ago. So the law has not changed, just the politicians adding to the confusion.

You do NOT NEED A PCR TEST, in the 72 hrs before departure.

Redwoodsman wrote:GOV.UK - For ENGLAND

TYPE of Test

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

You must make sure that the test provider you choose can meet the standards for pre-departure testing.

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 nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device
It’s your responsibility to ensure the test meets the minimum standards for sensitivity, specificity and viral load details. You must check with your test provider that it meets those standards.

You may not be able to travel if the test does not meet these standards. It’s your responsibility to ensure you get the right test that meets the above requirements.

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:43 am
by Redwoodsman
The “Independent” story - says this

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/

What’s all this about testing before coming back from Spain?
One of the strangest parts of the announcement is this: “Arrivals from Spain, and all its islands are advised to use a PCR test as their pre-departure test wherever possible, as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country.
“UK clinicians and scientists will remain in close contact with their counterparts in Spain to keep abreast of the latest data and picture of cases in Spain.”

Translated, this means: “We’re worried about infection levels in Spain and in order to be able to identify infections contracted there and work out more clearly what’s going on, we’re asking people to take an expensive and complex test that is more sensitive than the lateral flow test.
“But we’re not making it compulsory.”

Rationally, individual travellers will continue to opt for lateral flow tests – especially if they have been infected with coronavirus.
The government says: “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.”

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:20 am
by MichaelC
Let's not get into debate.
Nothing has changed. Spain is still Amber and its Antigen pre departure and day 2 PCR for vaccinated people.
So NO CHANGE...
The rest is advisory which means nothing.

Re: Travelling to U.K. now PCR test

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:59 am
by BNT162b2
The OP should change the title of this post, really, as it's misleading.