28^th May 2021

Where can I get cheaper PCR tests for the UK’s travel traffic light system?

All passengers are required to take pre-departure private PCR tests when arriving back into UK from all categories of the new traffic light system.

It’s fair to say there is much confusion over what is required when it comes to booking testing and where to go to do this, as well as which standard of covid-19 test will suffice to grant you permission to gain re-entry into the UK.

Firstly, let’s address the small matter of what needs to be done before you leave the UK in terms of your destination country. You must check the specific conditions of the country you are travelling to and what is needed to cross border control on arrival. The Government website provides all entry rules per country in response to Coronavirus (Covid-19). Here you will find any updated changes and which rules need to be adhered to/proof of testing or vaccination shown. While some countries may not require proof of a negative covid test result, some parts of certain countries may require this when checking into tourist accommodation.

So, you need to book covid tests for pre-departure of the country you are staying in? What do you do next?

The Government is not accepting the NHS tests as proof and therefore all covid-19 tests need to be booked privately.

Antigen tests, PCR tests…which ones are acceptable?? According to Gov.uk the test must meet certain standards to qualify.

Its states that the performance standard of the test must be ≥ 97% specificity, ≥ 80% sensitivity of viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.

This means there is not one specific type of test that is accepted and the options can include the following:

·       a nuclear acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction or PCR test as we now refer to them

·       derivative technologies, including loop-meditated isothermal amplification or LAMP tests

·       an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device

In light of the new travel covid testing requirements, many companies now offer options to cover all criteria of countries placed in red, amber and green categories. Airlines and travel companies have also teamed up with such organisations to present those passengers with discounts and access to cheaper private covid testing.

British Airways

The airline has obtained a number of exclusive discounts and options for all testing requirements across all three travel categories. These include booking a PCR test for arrival into the UK or antigen tests via Qured that can be packed in your suitcase and done via video call with a doctor at your convenience before departing the country you are staying. Results come back generally in under an hour and at around £39 is a cheaper option than the PCR tests and providing they meet the testing standards, are accepted on arrival into the UK. They also have deals with Let’sGetChecked, Randox and many others. Click HERE for the full list of suppliers and discounts.

Easyjet

Easyjet have teamed up with providers such as Collinson and Randox to provide at home testing where possible and options for testing at many of the major airports they operate from. They have a full Covid-19 travel hub on their website with lots of useful information and all the discount codes for those passengers travelling or holidaying with the airline.

Ryanair

The airline provides useful information on their website of locations for testing centres in the UK, in many of the popular tourist countries and those they fly to on the green list. They have also, like many of the other major airlines, partnered with Randox to provide exclusive discount packages for each of the green, amber and red travel criteria.

Jet2

Flights and holidays with Jet2 are currently not recommencing until June 24^th at a minimum. The airline is currently in discussion with covid testing suppliers to be able to provide their passengers with discounted offers once travel with the airline does restart.

TUI

TUI have partnered with Chronomics to provide their discounted covid testing, for all passengers travelling for a package holiday with the company. Chronomics are offering TUI passengers covid tests from just £20 per person.

For those with flight-only option, accommodation only, and again package holidays, the organisation has vetted and teamed up with Klarity, Screen4 and Randox to offer cheaper covid testing for their customers.

We hope you find all this information and links provided useful in understanding the covid testing process for travel going forward and remember if you are lucky enough to be taking to the skies and require travel money for your holiday, be sure to head over to Currency Online Group for the best rates on the currency market. Get more travel cash for your money and have that extra drink on us!

©Currency Online Group

28^th May 2021

May 14^th 2021

On Monday 17^th May 2021 we will see the recommencement of international travel after months of being told it is illegal to take a holiday, with only absolute essential travel being sanctioned.

The transport secretary Grant Shapps announced that overseas travel would work on a traffic light system which would be reviewed every 3 weeks from the restart date above. There were many countries and tourist hotspots that had hoped to make the much anticipated ‘green list’ but in the end only 12 countries and territories made the cut.

The traffic light system means (as you guessed) countries are categorised into red, amber and green, based on the number of Covid-19 positive cases and the rate at which, the country in question, and its residents are being vaccinated. Also the threat of transmission of any new variants.

We must remember that this list has been compiled by the UK Government and gives the signal to those countries it deems safe for us to visit. However, you must check the entry requirements for each country to be sure that at this time you fit the criteria to cross those borders, with their own rules currently in place. For more information as to the entry requirements per country then visit this link.

So, what does the traffic light system mean when it comes to travelling? Regardless of whether UK residents have been fully or part-vaccinated they will still be required to undertake covid tests, isolate, or quarantine on arrival into the UK, depending on which colour country they are returning from.

Here we look at the requirements of each category of the traffic light system.

Green List Countries

Those passengers travelling to a ‘green list’ country will be required to:

·       Check the entry requirements of the country before departure of the UK

·       Take a Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival into the UK (for example if you are arriving on a Friday the test must be taken on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday)

·       Book and pay for a futher Covid-19 test to be taken on day 2 after arrival into the UK

·       Fill in a passenger locator form

Amber List Countries 

At present the FCDO is advising against leisure travel to any ‘amber list countries‘

Those passengers travelling to an ‘amber list’ country will be required to:

·       Check the entry requirements of the country before departure of the UK

·       Take a Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival into the UK (for example if you are arriving on a Friday the test must be taken on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday)

·       Book and pay for a further 2 Covid-19 tests to be taken on day 2 and day 8 after arrival into the UK

·       Fill in a passenger locator form

In addition to the above passengers are required to self-isolate either at home or at the place that they are staying for 10 days.

You may be able to reduce your self-isolation period if you enter the ‘test to release’ system, which requires you to pay for a private covid-19 on day 5 and produce a negative result.

Red List Countries

At this time travel to red countries is seen as ‘essential only’, with the UK Government advising against all leisure visits to these destinations.

Those passengers travelling to a ‘red list’ country will be required to:

·       Check the entry requirements of the country before departure of the UK

·       Book a quarantine hotel and 2 Covid-19 test package, which will require you to quarantine in such hotel for 10 days

·       Fill in a passenger locator form

Unlike the amber list countries, you cannot enter the test to release scheme and have to complete the full 10 days quarantine in the hotel at a cost to the passenger.

So which list did your destination country make?

GREEN LIST COUNTRIES

For the full list of amber and red countries CLICK HERE

© CURRENCY ONLINE GROUP

14^TH MAY 2021