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More repetitive test questions

Posted by (California ) on

So last year we flew to Switzerland as vaxxed and didn’t need a test. This year taking my brother and nephew to England so am a bit late to the party on figuring out this testing business though I know it could change. Our travel dates right now are sometime in May or early June. Questions:

  1. Still not sure I get this test on day 0-2, seems like it makes more sense to test BEFORE you get on the plane. Assuming we could get our hands on home tests by then (I have 2 already) does it make sense to test just for our own peace of mind before getting on the plane and having to do test 0-2 once there?

  2. Can we still test on day 0 at Terminal 2 at LHR? We land at T5. Be nice to just get it out of the way. Since we no longer need PCR, will the Terminal 2 test results come in 15 minutes? (Like we got in France before returning home last year).

  3. Worst case scenario— if one tests positive then it sounds like we have to wait 24 hours while self isolating and then take a PCR? Now, do all three of us have to do this? What if one tests positive and the other two don’t? I would totally want them to just take off and do the rest of the trip if say I tested positive but they didn’t. Can they do this? Or some combination of us do this? We won’t be staying in the same hotel rooms.

    1. How long will a person keep testing positive? How long does that person need to isolate? How does someone like that get back to the US if they have tested positive?

Am sure I will have more questions, it’s a bit complicated because we live in different states in the US and trying to ensure we understand what the heck to do.

Posted by
2600 posts
  1. Test has to be done in UK - not a test you bring with you
  2. Yes, it can be done on arrival (pre-booked)
  3. If the others test negative then nothing stopping them from taking off (other than guilt)

3.1. Somewhere between 5 and 10 days

Posted by
7208 posts

Although a pre departure test is currently no longer required, we intend on scheduling and getting one anyways. As quickly as the requirement went away, it could comeback.

Since you arrive at T5, take the test on day 0 at T5. There’s no reason to go to T2 to take it. Since the self-isolation requirement went away it really doesn’t matter if the results come back in 15 minutes. We have a PCR scheduled for arrival day and will just keep it in case the rules change again. You need to schedule and pay for the Day(0-2) test before going over. If going through ExpressTest at Heathrow, it will send you a booking reference number and QR code. You’ll need to enter the number on the passenger locator form.

As I understand it, one must quarantine for 10 days if testing positive.

Posted by
6113 posts

The rules are going to change numerous times before your trip!

Posted by
497 posts

I wish they would actually change the rules to if you are vaxxed/boosted you test BEFORE you leave and NOT once you get there. What a scary thing to hop on the plane, unknowing, and then risk a positive test on day 0-2. A waste of money, time, etc. to get there and then be unable to just return, but have to stay in a quarantine. Thus I think we will at least do antigen tests before we leave on our own. I have 2 at home tests already, need to scrounge up one more by then. But yes, the rules will probably change again by May/June. Fingers crossed. Thanks to everyone for the help so far.

Posted by
7208 posts

At least it’s (currently) no longer a PCR upon arrival and self-isolation until the results come in. While there is a cost, £35 +/- is nominal when considering the total cost of the trip. If testing prior to going over makes you more comfortable, by all means, do it. Since it isn’t a requirement, you may as well take a PCR at Walgreens or CVS before departure since the results are more reliable. Again, that’s what we plan on doing.

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