UK Government advises PCR test when travelling to England from Spain and it's islands (4 Aug 2021)

UK advises PCR test when travelling to England from Spain and it's islands:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#type-of-test

The key word is "advised" - other types of tests may be acceptable but you must always check the latest information on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#type-of-test

"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.

You must make sure that the test provider you choose can meet the standards for pre-departure testing.

The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.

This could include tests such as:

a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device"

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Alex

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Posted: Thu Aug 5, 2021 10:21pm

Hew

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Posted: Thu Aug 5, 2021 10:21pm

That is correct, and the important word is advised, it is not mandatory to have a PCR test pre entry to the UK. The basic and less expensive test is acceptable. But you need a day 2 PCR test pre booked. When you complete your forms for entry to the UK they ask for the Pre booked PCR test reference number.

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:50am

Mints

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Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:50am

Hew wrote on Thu Aug 5, 2021 10:21pm:
That is correct, and the important word is advised, it is not mandatory to have a PCR test pre entry to the UK. The basic and less expensive test is acceptable. But you need a day 2 PCR test pre booked. When you complete your forms for entry to the UK they ask for the Pre booked PCR test referenc...

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...e number.

It would be reassuring to know if the antigen test is acceptable. If anyone flies to the U.K. maybe they could update the forum. My daughters are flying out on 11th and I don’t really want to pay for PCR if antigen ok. I know the guidance says ‘advised’ so assume it is just that but you never know! Tha k

Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 4:13pm

John 52

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Posted: Fri Aug 6, 2021 4:13pm

Mints wrote on Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:50am:
It would be reassuring to know if the antigen test is acceptable. If anyone flies to the U.K. maybe they could update the forum. My daughters are flying out on 11th and I don’t really want to pay for PCR if antigen ok. I know the guidance says ‘advised’ so assume it is just that but you nev...

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...er know! Tha k

UK government with the dunces caps advises in favour of the more expensive PCR test ,now theres a surprise ,they can stick their PCR tests where the sun dont shine ,they have been absolutely useless.through the whole thing ,I've booked the cheaper test for returning next week and will continue to pay as little as possible to travel and to hell with the government and their greedy testing provider mates

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 11:14am

Grannyrose

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Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 11:14am

John 52 wrote on Fri Aug 6, 2021 4:13pm:
UK government with the dunces caps advises in favour of the more expensive PCR test ,now theres a surprise ,they can stick their PCR tests where the sun dont shine ,they have been absolutely useless.through the whole thing ,I've booked the cheaper test for returning next week and will conti...

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...nue to pay as little as possible to travel and to hell with the government and their greedy testing provider mates

You may do as you choose but allow me to remind you that any of us can catch Covid and have no way of knowing where they caught it. The PCR is more expensive but provides a definitive result. The Antigen isn’t just as definitive as it. Would you not prefer to be sitting on a flight knowing that everyone on board was covid free? You have a choice of who you mix with in normal life but sitting in a large enclosed vehicle is another story. You will find that a PCR test will be the test required. we are all “advised” not to travel but people like you and myself want to visit our Spanish homes and decide to ignore the advice given. That being the case, we are now obliged to take tests in order to gain entry into our country of residence so as to keep ourselves free from covid and our fellow man. The bottom line is, we have to dig into our pockets and pay for our decision to travel. We travelled to our house at the beginning of July and returned home 2 weeks ago. It was worth every penny spent to do what we both really had our hearts set on. We loved every minute of the time spent in Spain.

Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 1:21pm

John 52

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Posted: Sat Aug 7, 2021 1:21pm

Grannyrose wrote on Sat Aug 7, 2021 11:14am:
You may do as you choose but allow me to remind you that any of us can catch Covid and have no way of knowing where they caught it. The PCR is more expensive but provides a definitive result. The Antigen isn’t just as definitive as it. Would you not prefer to be sitting on a flight knowin...

Read more...

...g that everyone on board was covid free? You have a choice of who you mix with in normal life but sitting in a large enclosed vehicle is another story. You will find that a PCR test will be the test required. we are all “advised” not to travel but people like you and myself want to visit our Spanish homes and decide to ignore the advice given. That being the case, we are now obliged to take tests in order to gain entry into our country of residence so as to keep ourselves free from covid and our fellow man. The bottom line is, we have to dig into our pockets and pay for our decision to travel. We travelled to our house at the beginning of July and returned home 2 weeks ago. It was worth every penny spent to do what we both really had our hearts set on. We loved every minute of the time spent in Spain.

Well Grannyrose I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Spain ,I have to question whether you are an expert on covid ,I'm sick to the back teeth of so called experts telling people what they should and shouldn't do ,you can call me a sceptic ,but some of the decisions made by this government are unbelievable ,what about the £500 increase on the already ripoff quarantine hotels ,Grannyrose as always I will make my own decisions where possible.and will not be guided by clowns and thieves

Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 9:20am

Campoverde53

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Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 9:20am

I do think the tests that you have to purchase are ridiculous and cannot understand why we cannot use the free tests that are available in the UK. Having just returned from Spain and pre ordered Day 2 test to do at home it arrived a week later, unsure whether to do the test or not I did and sent back but was not contacted at all about doing the Day 2 test later than advised and it was beyond my control that the test arrived late.

Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 10:11am

John 52

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Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 10:11am

Campoverde53 wrote on Sun Aug 8, 2021 9:20am:
I do think the tests that you have to purchase are ridiculous and cannot understand why we cannot use the free tests that are available in the UK. Having just returned from Spain and pre ordered Day 2 test to do at home it arrived a week later, unsure whether to do the test or not I did and...

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... sent back but was not contacted at all about doing the Day 2 test later than advised and it was beyond my control that the test arrived late.

I think you can only buy test and send it back on date the rest is outwith your control ,we will do the test I think Friday when back ,il have done my bit the rest I couldn't care less

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Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 2:03pm

Gemily1

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Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 2:03pm

Campoverde53 wrote on Sun Aug 8, 2021 9:20am:
I do think the tests that you have to purchase are ridiculous and cannot understand why we cannot use the free tests that are available in the UK. Having just returned from Spain and pre ordered Day 2 test to do at home it arrived a week later, unsure whether to do the test or not I did and...

Read more...

... sent back but was not contacted at all about doing the Day 2 test later than advised and it was beyond my control that the test arrived late.

If that was me I would have taken a free test on the NHS, and asked my bank/ credit card company to do a recall on the money I paid for the test as the suppliers did not fulfill their contract with you.

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Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 3:31pm

mikepudney

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Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2021 3:31pm

Mints wrote on Fri Aug 6, 2021 9:50am:
It would be reassuring to know if the antigen test is acceptable. If anyone flies to the U.K. maybe they could update the forum. My daughters are flying out on 11th and I don’t really want to pay for PCR if antigen ok. I know the guidance says ‘advised’ so assume it is just that but you nev...

Read more...

...er know! Tha k

Wife flew Ryanair Alicante - EMA 2nd Aug. Antigen test accepted.

Hope it helps.