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Test to return to UK?

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:56am
11 replies1084 views11 members subscribed
CB95

Posts: 5

1 helpful points

Location: Gran Alacant

Joined: 6 Aug 2021

Hi everyone. Just looking to get some friendly advice given the confusing announcement from the UK government yesterday. Says they’re now advising anyone arriving from Spain into UK to take PCR not antigen. Just wanting to know what others will be doing regarding this? We had antigen tests booked at salvum clinic for Monday 23rd as we fly home 24th. Not sure where we would even get a PCR as 3 days before would be a Saturday and most clinics closed. Ideally we’d like to stick with the antigen, but worried about Ryanair not accepting us!! What are others plans? 

John123456

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 10:59am

John123456

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Posts: 1431

1041 helpful points

Location: Benidorm

Joined: 27 Feb 2021

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 10:59am

You are best to follow the current UK Government advice published on their Web pages. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#check-the-rules-for-the-country-youre-coming-from-or-have-travelled-through 

CB95

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 11:21am

CB95

Original Poster

Posts: 5

1 helpful points

Location: Gran Alacant

Joined: 6 Aug 2021

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 11:21am

I’ve looked on there, but just says ‘ Travel from Spain and its islands - if you are travelling to England from Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca), you are advised to take a PCR type test before travel’. Wish they’d not use words like advised and would just say you do or don’t. Creates so much confusion. To me that means an antigen would still suffice but just wondering what others are planning to do

John123456

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 12:13pm

John123456

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Posts: 1431

1041 helpful points

Location: Benidorm

Joined: 27 Feb 2021

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 12:13pm

CB95 wrote on Fri Aug 6, 2021 11:21am:

I’ve looked on there, but just says ‘ Travel from Spain and its islands - if you are travelling to England from Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca), you are advised to take a PCR type test before travel’. Wish they’...

...d not use words like advised and would just say you do or don’t. Creates so much confusion. To me that means an antigen would still suffice but just wondering what others are planning to do

Antigen and PCR are two different tests.Perhaps the following may help:
https://testcoronadirect.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwu7OIBhCsARIsALxCUaNLoRhdD9bNWEuB_DaP73IhFJ9t-FEUH5rLUnt3YzHBSIR5moKkJqEaAgdREALw_wcB 




Carolcoldy

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 5:05pm

Carolcoldy

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Posts: 157

99 helpful points

Location: Villena

Joined: 9 Mar 2021

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 5:05pm

My friend flew back to uk from spain yesterday and Antigen test was sufficient.

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Deborah77

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:37pm

Posts: 3

3 helpful points

Joined: 1 Jan 2021

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:37pm

Carolcoldy wrote on Fri Aug 6, 2021 5:05pm:

My friend flew back to uk from spain yesterday and Antigen test was sufficient.

We arrived back in th UK yesterday and Antigen test was accepted 

Grannyrose

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 11:01am

Grannyrose

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Posts: 1256

1569 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 5 Dec 2017

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 11:01am

Clinics do both tests. If you have made appointments, you should be able to have PCR tests instead of the ANTIGshould you decide to follow the advice. Call with them and enquire how long the results take. 

Alicante Holiday Villas

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 12:32pm

Alicante Holiday Villas

Helpful member

Posts: 219

107 helpful points

Location: Gran Alacant

Joined: 31 Jan 2017

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 12:32pm

The cheaper Antigen test is sufficient to travel back to UK, as others have said, the Government are 'advising' PCR, but the cheaper antigen test is accepted. 

CB95

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 12:48pm

CB95

Original Poster

Posts: 5

1 helpful points

Location: Gran Alacant

Joined: 6 Aug 2021

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 12:48pm

Thanks everyone. I thought the same as most of you. We will stick with the antigen tests

Balmer9

Posted: Mon Aug 9, 2021 10:27am

Balmer9

Helpful member

Posts: 75

182 helpful points

Location: Gran Alacant

Joined: 6 Jul 2019

Posted: Mon Aug 9, 2021 10:27am

CB95 wrote on Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:56am:

Hi everyone. Just looking to get some friendly advice given the confusing announcement from the UK government yesterday. Says they’re now advising anyone arriving from Spain into UK to take PCR not antigen. Just wanting to know what others will be doing regarding this? We had antigen tests book...

...ed at salvum clinic for Monday 23rd as we fly home 24th. Not sure where we would even get a PCR as 3 days before would be a Saturday and most clinics closed. Ideally we’d like to stick with the antigen, but worried about Ryanair not accepting us!! What are others plans? 

Just on the note of Gran Alacant. I would not use the family Doctors in Masa square, they don't know what they are doing, and had a friend of mine in tears. When i used them they appeared to want to maximise their money in the advice they gave me. I found the clinic at the new hotel in the GA centre very good and cheaper! But i do know a couple of people who have used the Savlum clinic and found it to be very helpful as well. 

As stated in the replies above, the Govt advice is only advising you to take PCR, but antigen seems sufficient. I have had covid and PCR can show up for 90 days after on a PCR test. They are also more expensive. 

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