Permissable to break quarantine to get a COVID test for later travel?
Dec 3, 2020, 1:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BA Gold, Tesco, Nectar
Posts: 313
Permissable to break quarantine to get a COVID test for later travel?
My next itinerary sees me landing in the UK from a 'red' country so I will need to quarantine.
However, after 2 days I would need to go to a clinic to get tested to allow me to leave the UK a further two days after that.
Anyone know if this is a valid reason to break quarantine?
However, after 2 days I would need to go to a clinic to get tested to allow me to leave the UK a further two days after that.
Anyone know if this is a valid reason to break quarantine?
Dec 3, 2020, 3:32 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
You can read the law yourself at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/568/contents
Section 4 contains
9a won't cover you to get the test, only for leaving a few days later. 9b would only seem to cover you if you got a Doctor or Nurse or similar to say it was needed. After mid-December when test-to-release comes in, there is an explicit additional exemption for going to get a test for potential release, which does seem to suggest that the current exemptions aren't enough to allow you to go get a NHS covid test without symptoms + advice.
I'd say it looks iffy without a discussion with a GP / Nurse / etc first.
However... If you can find a statement from the Chief Medical Officer or similar of the country you're going to saying a test is required, you could potentially say you are then acting on advice of a registered medical practitioner!
Section 4 contains
(9) During the period of their self-isolation, P may not leave, or be outside of, the place where P is self-isolating except—
(a)to travel in order to leave England, provided that they do so directly,
(b)to seek medical assistance, where this is required urgently or on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, including to access [F21services from dentists, opticians, audiologists, chiropodists, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health practitioners, including services relating to mental health],
(a)to travel in order to leave England, provided that they do so directly,
(b)to seek medical assistance, where this is required urgently or on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, including to access [F21services from dentists, opticians, audiologists, chiropodists, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health practitioners, including services relating to mental health],
I'd say it looks iffy without a discussion with a GP / Nurse / etc first.
However... If you can find a statement from the Chief Medical Officer or similar of the country you're going to saying a test is required, you could potentially say you are then acting on advice of a registered medical practitioner!
Dec 3, 2020, 3:42 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
I would very much doubt that any doctor or clinic would be prepared to carry out an on-premises test for someone in quarantine.
The solution would be to get an in-home test if available for the type of test you require.
The solution would be to get an in-home test if available for the type of test you require.
Dec 3, 2020, 4:17 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
From https://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/sto...&storeId=11352 , the page to book an appointment after paying for the test:
If you are flying, are you booking the appointment 72 hours before your departure to allow time for results to be returned to you in the correct time frame.
Are not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 – if you have any symptoms please stay at home and follow UK government guidance.
Are not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 – if you have any symptoms please stay at home and follow UK government guidance.
Dec 4, 2020, 11:16 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BA Gold, Tesco, Nectar
Posts: 313
You can read the law yourself at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/568/contents
Dec 6, 2020, 12:45 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
This might be an oversight on the part of Boots, but they don't list that as a requirement for their covid testing in-store
From https://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/sto...&storeId=11352 , the page to book an appointment after paying for the test:
When I went for a pre-flight test at Boots yesterday, I wasn't asked if I was in quarantine, just asked to confirm I didn't have symptoms and there was the right amount of time before my flight.
From https://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/sto...&storeId=11352 , the page to book an appointment after paying for the test:
When I went for a pre-flight test at Boots yesterday, I wasn't asked if I was in quarantine, just asked to confirm I didn't have symptoms and there was the right amount of time before my flight.