We are flying to the U.K. next month, November, and now the rules are changing for the better we hope, My question as the lateral flow test is free in England why is there a charge for us , p.s. we are English nationals
Free NHS lateral flow tests can not be used for the purposes of meeting the Gov requirements for international travel. Why ? it’s pretty obvious, the reason is that the Gov and their approved providers will not make any money if you use the free NHS ones. It’s all down to making money, not ensuring that you are covid free. I picked up a pack of lateral flow tests from my local library yesterday, could pick up another pack today if I was so inclined!. But would not be allowed to use them, for the blatantly obvious reason. When you purchase your test kit, you will have to do the test at home, take a photograph of the result and send it to the provider for verification. When Transport sec Grant Shapps was questioned about this being open to cheating he is quoted as saying, it is based on trust! So blatantly obvious I’m surprised they are getting away with it, just to make money.
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:03pm
Helpful member
All English nationals have to pay for a lab
Lateral flow tests, even if you are returning
to the U.K. from holiday.
They test the paid ones in a lab and it’s the
NHS ones that are free currently not the
Lab ones.When booking them you get a unique reference number.
It does not matter if you are an English National as
this applies for all entering the U.K.
Morocco have currently banned flights from tbe
U.K. as the U.K. numbers are quite high.
Hope this helps
DavidES wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:03pm:
All English nationals have to pay for a lab
Lateral flow tests, even if you are returning
Read more...
to the U.K. from holiday.
They test the paid ones in a lab and it’s the
NHS ones that are free currently not the
Lab ones.When booking them you get a unique reference number.
It does not matter if you are an English National as
this applies for all entering the U.K.
Morocco have currently banned flights from tbe
U.K. as the U.K. numbers are quite high.
Hope this helps
Sorry, you are definitely incorrect, they will not test the paid ones (lateral flow) in a lab. As I explained already, you will take a photograph of your lateral flow result, then send that to the test provider. You already know before you send the photo if you are Neg or Positive. If you were so inclined you could first take a free NHS test at home, if you were positive, you could then get someone else to take the paid one, take a photograph and send it to the provider. It’s stupid and open to cheating. But they do not test anything in a lab, the test is identical to the free NHS kit, you take it in your own home, and just send a photograph of the result to who ever you bought the test from, except you have to pay for it !!!.
That is a fact.
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:45pm
Helpful member
Hew wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:20pm:
Sorry, you are definitely incorrect, they will not test the paid ones (lateral flow) in a lab. As I explained already, you will take a photograph of your lateral flow result, then send that to the test provider. You already know before you send the photo if you are Neg or Positive. If you were so...
Read more...
... inclined you could first take a free NHS test at home, if you were positive, you could then get someone else to take the paid one, take a photograph and send it to the provider. It’s stupid and open to cheating. But they do not test anything in a lab, the test is identical to the free NHS kit, you take it in your own home, and just send a photograph of the result to who ever you bought the test from, except you have to pay for it !!!.
That is a fact.
You are correct I was meaning PCR.
The lateral flow tests are different naturally.
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:50pm
DavidES wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:03pm:
All English nationals have to pay for a lab
Lateral flow tests, even if you are returning
Read more...
to the U.K. from holiday.
They test the paid ones in a lab and it’s the
NHS ones that are free currently not the
Lab ones.When booking them you get a unique reference number.
It does not matter if you are an English National as
this applies for all entering the U.K.
Morocco have currently banned flights from tbe
U.K. as the U.K. numbers are quite high.
Hope this helps
Thank you HEW and David ES for your replies it is still quite confusing but we think we get the gist.
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:01pm
Helpful member
eddie 11 wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:50pm:
Thank you HEW and David ES for your replies it is still quite confusing but we think we get the gist.
If in doubt go the U.K. government website
for the latest info. It is and can be confusing.
Go to this page it tells you all you need to know and it is the official position.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
eddie 11 wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:50pm:
Thank you HEW and David ES for your replies it is still quite confusing but we think we get the gist.
Sorry anything was confusing, bottom line you will have to purchase lateral flow tests from a UK government approved provider, will cost you between £20 to £30 each.
You will get a reference number when you purchase.
You will take a photograph of your test results also the ref number and send that back to who ever your provider was.
It’s the same for everyone, even if you already have a supply of free tests at hand.
It’s a moneymaking rip off.
DavidES wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:45pm:
You are correct I was meaning PCR.
The lateral flow tests are different naturally.
Yes they are different.
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:21pm
Helpful member
Hew wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:18pm:
Yes they are different.
Yes of course they are, was trying to tell my son off at the time as well as writing not a good combination. He only understands
English when he wants to, so having an argument with him in Spanish.