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Covid restrictions abroad: updates & observations

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danm14

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So fully jabbed still can't go anywhere at no extra cost? I.e only have to present your proof of vaccination. I have a lft kit at home. I can use that before departure and after my return.
Other than Ireland, which is treated as part of the UK for the purposes of travel restrictions on return, and which imposes no restrictions on fully vaccinated arrivals from the UK, no.

You can't use a free NHS lateral flow test for travel. You'll be denied boarding without proof of a negative non-NHS test, and can't complete the passenger locator form without a booking reference for a private test after returning.
 
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LAX54

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So fully jabbed still can't go anywhere at no extra cost? I.e only have to present your proof of vaccination. I have a lft kit at home. I can use that before departure and after my return.
As far as I can work out, may need PCR outbound if that Country wants it, but no PDT, and on return a LFT on the 2nd day, someone on here said that, it had to be a supervised one, not an NHS self test version.
 

Mag_seven

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Its all very "seen to be doing something" all these testing requirements for international travel. We were told that "vaccines were the way out of this". I now find myslef asking the question "way out of what?"
 

johncrossley

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someone on here said that, it had to be a supervised one, not an NHS self test version.
That was referring to those private providers, such as the popular C19, which currently allow you to take the test wherever you want, for example at home or in your hotel room, without anyone verifying whether you are doing the test correctly. You simply upload a picture of your test next to your passport. This kind of test may no longer be allowed if indeed tests need to be 'supervised'. Other providers check you are doing it right by using a video call.
 

island

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No need, just get a connecting flight, you clear immigration in England and are subject to their testing regime.

Scotland's differing policy only apples to direct flights from abroad that land there.
Scotland’s policy applies to anyone entering Scotland, by any route, who has been outwith the Common Travel Area in the past 10 days.

If you go France-London-Edinburgh without a test you’ll be committing an offence.

How likely it is that this will be detected is of course a separate matter.

So fully jabbed still can't go anywhere at no extra cost? I.e only have to present your proof of vaccination. I have a lft kit at home. I can use that before departure and after my return.
Only Ireland.
 

Cdd89

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How likely it is that this will be detected is of course a separate matter.
The PLF does still require the details of where you will be within the United Kingdom in the upcoming 10 days, so it’s theoretically possible.
 

Cdd89

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Have you any anecdotal evidence of this occurring ?
Of the PLF asking where you’ll be in the next 10 days? Yes, that’s a statement of fact.

Of someone getting into hot water by fibbing? No. Then again, I don’t think many people would take the risk of lying on the passenger locator form, given the absolutely huge penalties associated with doing so.
 

Butts

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Of the PLF asking where you’ll be in the next 10 days? Yes, that’s a statement of fact.

Of someone getting into hot water by fibbing? No. Then again, I don’t think many people would take the risk of lying on the passenger locator form, given the absolutely huge penalties associated with doing so.

So after October 4th if you fly from Turkey to Edinburgh via LHR using a Scottish address on your PLF at what point are you subjected to any checks from Scottish Authorities.

Are you suggesting if your ultimate destination is Edinburgh the PLF/ BA will ask for pre-departure test in addition to evidence of booking the 2 Day one for use ? even though the former will not be required for entry into the UK in London but is theoretically required for entry into Scotland.

The system does not seem to be able to distinguish between the two ? - it is not joined up sufficiently to police entry into Scotland.
 

Berliner

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You're not.

You will get emails and text messages from NHS Scotland though, detailing the rules, as the PLF will be passed on to them. So they will be aware you are coming to Scotland and can check up on you if they feel the need to. I suspect they wouldn't bother but for an ways life I just jump through the hoops anyway as you don't want to be the one they do decide to randomly follow up.

That's what happened to me a few weeks ago anyway when I came back into the country at Heathrow and then made my own way North. The emails were very confusing as they stated private tests were not allowed in Scotland when they were very much were as it had been announced they would be accepted before I left. In the end I called the Scottish track and trace people and said I did not intend to book another PCR test as the email suggested I'd have to because I had already returned the private test I paid for. They admitted the email was out of date and cheaper private tests were indeed accepted in Scotland.
 

Butts

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You will get emails and text messages from NHS Scotland though, detailing the rules, as the PLF will be passed on to them. So they will be aware you are coming to Scotland and can check up on you if they feel the need to. I suspect they wouldn't bother but for an ways life I just jump through the hoops anyway as you don't want to be the one they do decide to randomly follow up.

That's what happened to me a few weeks ago anyway when I came back into the country at Heathrow and then made my own way North. The emails were very confusing as they stated private tests were not allowed in Scotland when they were very much were as it had been announced they would be accepted before I left. In the end I called the Scottish track and trace people and said I did not intend to book another PCR test as the email suggested I'd have to because I had already returned the private test I paid for. They admitted the email was out of date and cheaper private tests were indeed accepted in Scotland.

What if any difference would there be if you connected to a Domestic Flight with the same Airline and you bag was checked through from your foreign starting point ?

Looks like it may be all academic as she seems to be about to fall into line with Boris and end the requirement for the pre-departure tests prior to returning to the UK.

Probably to stop everyone heading down to Newcastle and Manchester Airports and Scottish Half Term is soon.
 

Berliner

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What if any difference would there be if you connected to a Domestic Flight with the same Airline and you bag was checked through from your foreign starting point ?

Looks like it may be all academic as she seems to be about to fall into line with Boris and end the requirement for the pre-departure tests prior to returning to the UK.

Probably to stop everyone heading down to Newcastle and Manchester Airports and Scottish Half Term is soon.
None whatsoever but I was originally going to spend some time in London but then my plans changed, so I wasn't deliberately avoiding the plane due to Covid rules.

I believe a few days ago she did make some kind of reference to economic factors and recovery were playing a role in the decision making around the retention or otherwise of these ridiculous tests.
 

3rd rail land

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My question is undoubtedly answered in this thread but to save me trawling through pages and pages of posts here goes:

I am travelling to an amber country next week returning 10th October. I know I need to take a rapid antigen test in the 48 hours preceding my flight and also take a test within 3 days of retuning to the UK. My question is can use a rapid antigen for the return leg of my journey?
Also seeing as the new rules will be in place by the time I travel back to the UK am I correct in thinking I do not need to take the day 2 and 8 test or in fact any test at all once I return as I am fully vaccinated?
 

Peterthegreat

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My question is undoubtedly answered in this thread but to save me trawling through pages and pages of posts here goes:

I am travelling to an amber country next week returning 10th October. I know I need to take a rapid antigen test in the 48 hours preceding my flight and also take a test within 3 days of retuning to the UK. My question is can use a rapid antigen for the return leg of my journey?
Also seeing as the new rules will be in place by the time I travel back to the UK am I correct in thinking I do not need to take the day 2 and 8 test or in fact any test at all once I return as I am fully vaccinated?
Assuming you are coming back to England then the only test you will need is the day 2 test. Currently that must be a PCR one. You do not need to take any test before returning to England.
 

3rd rail land

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Assuming you are coming back to England then the only test you will need is the day 2 test. Currently that must be a PCR one. You do not need to take any test before returning to England.
Thanks, really helpful. In regards to the day 2 PCR test I am finding a wide variety of prices, anywhere from £28 to £89. Is there anything stopping me getting the £28, an at home test, or is there a catch that I should be aware of? Do they have to be listed as a travel test provider on the government website? Do you have to have the results within 2 days of retuning as it'll take longer than that with an at home test as you have to post it to the provider? Oh and yes, I am returning to England.
 
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Watershed

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Thanks, really helpful. In regards to the day 2 PCR test I am finding a wide variety of prices, anywhere from £28 to £89. Is there anything stopping me getting the £28, an at home test, or is there a catch that I should be aware of? Do they have to be listed as a travel test provider on the government website? Do you have to have the results within 2 days of retuning as it'll take longer than that with an at home test as you have to post it to the provider? Oh and yes, I am returning to England.
For the day 2 test, just get the cheapest possible provider. The only thing you need is the reference number to put on your passenger locator form, after that it honestly doesn't seem to matter whether the company sends you the test or not, let alone whether you take it.
 

kevin_roche

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Thanks, really helpful. In regards to the day 2 PCR test I am finding a wide variety of prices, anywhere from £28 to £89. Is there anything stopping me getting the £28, an at home test, or is there a catch that I should be aware of? Do they have to be listed as a travel test provider on the government website? Do you have to have the results within 2 days of retuning as it'll take longer than that with an at home test as you have to post it to the provider? Oh and yes, I am returning to England.

I have used EuroFins, twice now. The test was reasonably priced, and results were quick. Ordered the test online and it had arrived in my letterbox by the time I got home.
 

3rd rail land

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For the day 2 test, just get the cheapest possible provider. The only thing you need is the reference number to put on your passenger locator form, after that it honestly doesn't seem to matter whether the company sends you the test or not, let alone whether you take it.
I'm clearly overthinking this. I'll get the £28 at home test.
I have used EuroFins, twice now. The test was reasonably priced, and results were quick. Ordered the test online and it had arrived in my letterbox by the time I got home.
Thanks for the suggestion but the £28 test I found is significantly cheaper. I will go with that. After all I want to spend as little as I can on tests, who wouldn't?

Actually the cheap test is from Expert Medical which I see has been taken off the government list. Can I still use them or do I need to find a different provider?
 
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Cdd89

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Actually the cheap test is from expert Medical which I see has been taken off the government list. Can I still use them or do I need to find a different provider?
I used them last week and the code was accepted by the PLF. (Of course this could change at any time!)
 

island

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A number of cheaper test providers have been struck off the list and I would not recommend buying or using such a test as it would be an offence, not to mention it might generate difficulties at the border.

If you have already purchased a test and the company is struck off, then you would undoubtedly have a right to a refund from them but would need to purchase a new test from a provider which is still approved.
 

Cdd89

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A number of cheaper test providers have been struck off the list and I would not recommend buying or using such a test as it would be an offence
Is that really the case? I always assumed the list was more a list of "government recommended" suppliers, and that removals could be for misleading about prices, offering poor customer services, etc. Those are not requirements in the SI (from what I can see!) in respect of being a Test Provider meeting the regulations, but they are reasons that have been publicly stated in press announcements for de-listing. I don't see anything in the SI about a provider being on a government-approved list (but I may have misinterpreted, or missed it entirely due to the SI's length!).

As a further point, it would be incredibly easy to configure the PLF to reject their codes; if the government were confident that such codes were not ever valid for admission. The fact that the government have not done so is arguably notable. Incidentally, I received a kit and a PCR test result from ExMed.
 

island

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Is that really the case? I always assumed the list was more a list of "government recommended" suppliers, and that removals could be for misleading about prices, offering poor customer services, etc. Those are not requirements in the SI (from what I can see!) in respect of being a Test Provider meeting the regulations, but they are reasons that have been publicly stated in press announcements for de-listing. I don't see anything in the SI about a provider being on a government-approved list (but I may have misinterpreted, or missed it entirely due to the SI's length!).
Yes it seems you’re right, they just have to meet all the requirements.
 

Butts

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None whatsoever but I was originally going to spend some time in London but then my plans changed, so I wasn't deliberately avoiding the plane due to Covid rules.

I believe a few days ago she did make some kind of reference to economic factors and recovery were playing a role in the decision making around the retention or otherwise of these ridiculous tests.

She's fallen into line and is adopting the "English Solution" from October 4th so no pre-test for my "Turkish Delight" before returning next month.
 

island

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Ireland has today announced the abolition forthwith of mandatory hotel quarantine.
 

Butts

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Ireland has today announced the abolition forthwith of mandatory hotel quarantine.

From a standing start they have overtaken us in vaccinations.

I have just returned from a few days in Dublin today.

You have to show your vaccination proof just about everywhere except the Hotel you stay in - weird that !!
 
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