pythonisman

One of NZ's recent cases was a child in quarantine who tested negative on arrival, then returned a positive test on day 12 of their quarantine period (article I read: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-...cases/12563404) so it seems unlikely that the 14 day quarantine period could be meaningfully (or usefully) shortened by testing in this way...

It'd be useful to have a destination government recognised negative test that could be obtained privately without choosing to lie to the NHS about having symptoms in order to use the free NHS testing capability...

flyingcrazy

Cyprus, Aruba and Kenya are countries I've heard have accepted NHS tests.

You get a text or/and an email with the NHS test. A certificate isn't routine, however I have heard you can get a letter on NHS headed paper with your test result on if you ask and it's hit and miss if you get that.

​​​​​Cheap airline testing before departure is the way to go to get people flying again. Few want to shell out £150 on a private test, myself included.

irishguy28

It would only work if Boots is added to the list of accepted test providers by the countries in question.

Otherwise, I can provide you with a nice certificate from "Boats The Chemists" for less than the price you mentioned for your private test and everyone is happy - no?

brunos

Pre-departure tests are no panacea, but I am afraid for your nose that it is the trend and is being imposed by an increasing number of countries. Especially for arrival from high-risk areas.
It is only meant to reduce risk, not eliminate it. Some Asian countries now require PCR tests pre-departure high-risk countries, plus test on arrival and quarantine. If you test positive on arrival you are sent to a dedicated facility, if you test negative, you que quarantined at home or hotel or other facilities. Of course, there is the risk of forgery of pre-departure tests in some countries.

Sputum RT-PCR qualify as PCR tests. One big advantage is that it does not require the personnel and heavy procedures (change protective equipment after each test in order not to infect the next patient) of a swab test. But it could be less reliable if the patient does not spit sputum.

flyingcrazy

Not all countries are that strict though. Aruba and Kenya just require proof you had a PCR test. No list of test providers. It would work for some BA destinations I am sure and that's why they are planning it.

However I am not snubbing your offer of a boats the chemist certificate. How much we talking? Guessing stamp and signature are extra?

greyt

Bermuda Government is charging $75 which covers all on island required tests (all 4 if you stay for 14+ days). Government will email with prearranged testing times and location....

flyingcrazy

Not a bad set up then to be fair.

bakera

Employer referal was only required in the very early stages whilst capacity was been created.
I would not clasify myself as an essential worker, but as I work in IT for an essential retailer I am able to self-refer myself at anytime with or without symptoms.

Speedbird676

That is changing, effective 19th August - https://www.covid.is/categories/tour...ing-to-iceland

You will now get the choice to either quarantine for 14-days or have an initial test on arrival and then quarantine for 5-days before taking a second test after which you will be released from quarantine if the second test is negative.

elwe

Presumably the labs processing the tests for Boots have a doctor who signs results letters, or Boots will have a doctor who signs a letter, the same as the current private tests. Thus no need to be added to any list. Most likely it is the same labs doing processing the tests and Boots will be cheaper based on volume and having a medical tech take the samples, not a private GP.

navylad

I don’t see the necessity of having a doctor involved in these tests at all and doubt that they would use one when not necessary given the expense unless this was stipulated as a requirement in the country requiring it.

Often1

I have yet to see an entry/transit test requirement which requires a doctor's review or approval. It is the test result, not the diagnosis, which is of interest to border authorities.

However, it is important to check the requirements of the specific entry/transit country(ies) as some of them have very specific requirements which may make sense to the countries in terms of their local medical community, but make little sense in the context of the country in which the test is taken. These include certifications with stamps, passport numbers to match and so on,

northeastflyer

In the meantime before any of this comes to anything, could someone please advise whether you always receive an email as well as a text message following NHS Covid-19 testing and whether or not it includes the date of the test? Thank you.

JFX1764

If you supply both you get both.
No dates given at all on the text or email.

flyingcrazy

The date of the text and email is accepted.