Are Covid-19 test kits readily available in Ireland and Northern Ireland, or should I bring my own? Also, how feasible is it to get antiviral treatment (i.e., Paxlovid)? I'm as vaccinated and careful as I can be, but want to be prepared just in case.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16004 posts
I've not traveled to Ireland or Northern Ireland since Covid but I have traveled to France, England, Scotland, Italy and Netherlands. I pick up the package of 5 from my local pharmacy and just pack them with me.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11293 posts
I agree with Pam. Her plan is good and this is why: it’s not something we think about anymore in Europe. Some people are still getting variations of the virus, some people still get vaccinated, but it’s not on our minds. I’m sure that if someone were to show up at a hospital very ill, that person would be tested. But I’m not sure many pharmacies still have home tests.
So, in your case, Pam has a good plan.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10389 posts
Paxlovid was never in the same widespread use here as in the U.S.
You'd have to be quite ill to get such treatment.
I doubt you will easily find tests. Covid just isn't at the forefront of people's minds here now and vaccines are not widely available. I received an advisory message earlier in the week from a venue in very rural WA state that several people had tested Covid positive after a weekend event there.
I can't imagine that happening in the UK or Ireland, either the testing or the advisory.
We'd assume it was a cold or something similar, and just carry on.