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Covid tests for travel

(74 Posts)
Grandmadinosaur Fri 06-Aug-21 11:18:23

Am I correct in assuming that most countries require PCR tests pre travel and also before returning? I am not travelling myself but this week I’ve spoken to 2 lots of people who think as long as double jabbed that’s all you need. I said to both I’m sure you still need tests. One is my dear friend who usually checks everything out beforehand with a fine tooth comb so I was very surprised. They are booked for the Balearics next month. The other was my son also looking at Balearics or similar. They are trying to fit in a last minute trip before gs starts school in September and dil is too far on in her pregnancy. Again he is always up to date on info ...... usually!

Grandmadinosaur Fri 06-Aug-21 11:18:56

I should have added all concerned are double jabbed.

Pittcity Fri 06-Aug-21 13:18:42

To quote from the Eurotunnel website:
"We do our best to interpret and update this page as soon as advice from the French government changes..."

If they don't think that guidance is clear there is no hope for the rest of us.

My understanding is that tests aren't needed for the fully vaccinated going to an amber country but they are needed a couple of days prior to return to the UK.

Silverbridge Fri 06-Aug-21 13:40:50

Your friends are correct. These are the current requirements as of 6 August 2021 last updated 30 July 2021:

Entry to Spain

The Spanish government requires all arrivals to Spain from the UK to present on entry a pre-travel declaration form and one of the following: a negative COVID-19 test; or proof of vaccination. See Testing and vaccination requirements for arrivals from the UK for details.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements#vaccination

Jaxjacky Fri 06-Aug-21 13:46:36

Spain requires proof of full vaccination, or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel, plus a completed pre-travel declaration form, all information is available on here
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements

Jaxjacky Fri 06-Aug-21 13:47:36

Crossed post Silverbridge

Grandmadinosaur Fri 06-Aug-21 20:06:18

Thank you for the replies. I think I’ve got to grips with it now.

aggie Fri 06-Aug-21 20:59:30

Just letting you know my DIL , GS and GD all got covid in Spain , DIL and GD have finally tested negative and are allowed home tomorrow , GS only tested positive after he got home last week , DS and DIL are double jabbed , DS seems to have escaped but had to isolate , work wasn’t exactly ecstatic

aggie Fri 06-Aug-21 21:00:46

Pressed too soon ,
They all had to have negative test results before flying out and the same coming home

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 07-Aug-21 08:32:19

A bit worrying that your GS tested negative before coming home, positive afterwards, aggie.

Kali2 Sat 07-Aug-21 15:38:17

just depends where they are going, if fully jabbed, etc, etc., and it changes all the time. So .. just depends.

GagaJo Sat 07-Aug-21 16:00:51

Germanshepherdsmum

A bit worrying that your GS tested negative before coming home, positive afterwards, aggie.

I had students (boarding school) who tested negative on q PCR test while in isolation, only to test positive (in isolation remember, in a room on their own) a week later. I think it has a far longer incubation period at times than we're led to believe.

Kali2 Mon 09-Aug-21 22:05:31

At our grandson's school - borders returning from all over the world after last year's February half-term, were not tested at all.

B9exchange Mon 09-Aug-21 22:14:45

It depends on the country you are going to, they may have separate entry requirements. Best to check on the FCO website for the specific country. For France you just need to fill in a form to enter, then to return take a test within 72 hours of the return flight, fill in another form, and a test on day 2 of returning home, no quarantine.

But it could all change again!

PinkCosmos Fri 20-Aug-21 10:45:34

We are scheduled to go to Ibiza at the end of next month.

I have checked on the holiday booking site and it says we have to have a PCR test as Ibiza is amber at the moment. It gives a list of private companies that do PCR test.

I am worried about doing a home one and the results not coming back in time.

I understand that Boots do them in their stores (£95) but I couldn't find out on their website whether they did them in all their stores.

I know there is a government review on the 26th august so things may change.

Can anyone recommend a reliable company. There are so many of them out there.

Also, how do I get one when I am away so that I can come back? The holiday booking website isn't very clear.

I am beginning to wish I hadn't booked the holiday now.

GagaJo Fri 20-Aug-21 21:51:24

I used Randox when I returned to the UK from working abroad in June. You could use them for your outward journey. They use dropboxes OR offer a courier service. I used the dropbox. The results are emailed to you within 24 hours.

You will have to source somewhere in Ibiza for a PCR to return to the UK.

If you have to test 2 days after you've returned to the UK (I'm not up on the regulations at the moment, they've changed since I travelled), order the test the day you fly home. They take 2 days to arrive.

Nannylovesshopping Fri 20-Aug-21 22:02:27

I’m flying to Portugal tomorrow, had to have PCR tests on Wednesday, Boots £85, then same tests two days before travelling home, although have been double jabbed still necessary, Portugal is on amber list.

farview Sun 22-Aug-21 09:58:09

I had one prior to coming to Dubai..£60....had one here yesterday for my flight home tomorrow..£75....had to do passenger locator form and order test for when I arrive home £89...lot of expense...but worth it to hold my little grandsons and my daughter....

henetha Sun 22-Aug-21 10:14:15

I was booked for the Balearics at the end of September but Tui have just cancelled it. I think they may have done me a favour.

Newatthis Sun 22-Aug-21 11:27:24

Go on the uk.gov website all the information is there. If you’re coming from a green country you need to get a pre-flight test depending on the airline and a day to test once you get into the UK double jabbed it not.

JaneJudge Sun 22-Aug-21 11:34:41

One of my friends went to Majorca recently and they had to do three lots of PCR tests afaik

GagaJo Sun 22-Aug-21 12:22:17

I spent almost £300 on tests just to return to the UK after a year working away at the end of June.

busylizzy Sun 05-Sep-21 11:19:11

Has anyone bought travel insurance recently? If so, where from please? We are planning a short trip to Germany to visit family, e are both double jabbed. Husband is on a few medications. Normally we use Age UK, but apparently they have suspended their travel insurance sales for the time being ?

Dustyhen2010 Sun 05-Sep-21 11:36:34

busylizzy

Has anyone bought travel insurance recently? If so, where from please? We are planning a short trip to Germany to visit family, e are both double jabbed. Husband is on a few medications. Normally we use Age UK, but apparently they have suspended their travel insurance sales for the time being ?

One Traveller which specialises in holidays for mature travellers suggests
Staysure Insurance. I was going to have a look at them.

Shelmiss Sun 05-Sep-21 11:37:22

My husband went to France for 24 hours on Monday for a meeting (ridiculous but that’s another story) he didn’t need to take a PCR test before he went but had to take a fit to fly test in the UK beforehand, which was needed for him coming back from France the next day.

He is double jabbed so didn’t need anything else to get out of the UK.