Does anyone have experience getting a test in France before travelling home to the UK? I am trying to figure out the best option.
The pharmacy in Antibes where I’m staying does antigen tests with results in 20 min, but I am wondering whether the certificate they issue meets all the requirements the UK has set:
your name, which should match the name on your travel documents
your date of birth or age
the result of the test
the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
the name of the test provider and their contact details
confirmation of the device used for the test, or that the test was a PCR test
I enquired at the pharmacy, but after I left I realised that I think the clerk thought I was asking about tests for the pass sanitaire to enter museums (and, soon, restaurants) when she said the certificate met the requirements. Also, the UK government has said you need the test within three days of travelling home, but when I enquired at the pharmacy they said “results valid for 48 hours.” Again, I think they were referring to the new requirement in France to show proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test to enter museums (and, soon, restaurants), but am concerned the certificate might say something like “only valid for 48 hours.”
I also have a PCR test booked through a testing company called Kaducée for three days before I travel, but they won’t confirm how quickly I will receive the results, so I’m rather nervous about that.
If anyone has experience with getting a test in France to return home to the UK, I’d really appreciate it! I may just get the PCR test three days ahead and try to get some confirmation of when I’ll receive the results, and if I’m nervous it won’t be in time, I can then get the antigen test at the pharmacy 2 days ahead as a backup.