Covid test within two days of arrival

You might want to tell people where you are specifically going or coming. Are you talking about a US departure or a European departure.

You have to book the test for the 2nd day after you arrive in advance. Here is a link to a list of providers in the UK https://www.find-travel-test-provider.service.gov.uk/test-type

Where are you going to be on the 2nd day?

you've posted in Scotland Forum.. Is your arrival into the UK going to be at a Scottish airport or an English airport.

There are different rules and different links depending on England/Scotland arrival, even if you will be landing in England and going to Scotland. If you land in Scotland what transport will you use to get to Scotland, fly, train, car?

We arrive in Glasgow via plane from Heathrow, for a two night stay, then on to Edinburgh, etc.
I understand a Covid test is required within the first two days but don't know by whom, for whom, etc. perhaps hey will advise on the plane prior to arrival?
I wonder if a pharmacy self test will suffice, or.....? It would be helpful to have some idea prior to arrival.

sorry, still need more info.

Heathrow from which country? Is Heathrow a transit stop to change planes or will you leave the airport?

Do you have children on this trip? What ages?

Are all vaccinated + at least 2 weeks?

Then we can direct you to the correct answer....

You will need a QR for the PLF.

We can help you be completely prepared prior to arrival.

when is the trip?

We are 2 seniors leaving USA 9/29 and have a 3 hour stopover at Heathrow to change planes to Glasgow. We are triple jabbed. After 9 days in Scotland, we are driving to England.

Thx for your help!!

What is QR and PLF?

Have a read through this information on the Visit Scotland website, it explains what you need to know and do.

https://www.visitscotland.com/about/practical-information/covid-19-recovery-phases/key-holiday-guidance/

The important part is booking your Day 2 test via the CTM portal https://quarantinehotelbookings.ctmportal.co.uk/

Thanks to all for the informative replies. I have looked over the material and its seems clearer. The Locator Form is a bit of a mystery but cannot be done until just prior to departure so I'm hoping there are no glitches there.

As for the Covid test.. the info that I have received refers to CTM kits which are 136 pounds apiece. Is there a less pricey way to do this? Also, it looks like we're supposed to order them to be sent to our home address in the USA. As we leave within the month, this seems a bit iffy due to the mail service. I am hoping there is another way to do this. Once we are in Glasgow, can we get a test on day 2? This was the intent of my original query.

You guys are amazing! I would hope American airlines might have this info, but you're easier than they are to reach!!

Testing in the UK is, unfortunately, expensive and required. You have to book with one of their providers, or they won’t let you enter the country.

The PLF is the Passenger Locator Form.

The QR is a type of code printed in a square on your paid for test. They either ask for that code or a number printed in red. You put the number on the PLF which needs to be completed prior to travel.

Please check about where your 2nd kits are to be sent to. I think you will find that they can be sent to an address where you will be between landing on day zero and day 2 by which time they must be completed.

I make the price for the test kit via CTM as £136 for two people. You have the kit delivered to an address you're staying in Scotland.

It's possible to have the test done on arrival at LHR but you may not have sufficient time if you have to catch a connecting flight to Glasgow. https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test

The price for the test kit from CTM as I find it is $136 EACH, totalling 232.
I don't see how we could do it at Heathrow en route to Glasgow as I understand the kit must be ordered here in the US before we depart. So, it looks like we're out of options and CTM at 136 is IT! We will wait until one week before travel in case something else turns up.
Thanks to all for so many helpful responses. You folks seem to be the only ones I've come across who are knowledgeable. American Airlines is not.

This was really confusing to me too. We recently flew into Edinburgh from the US, fully vaccinated. We had a busy road trip planned - 1-2 nights in each town, no “home base” to send a CTM test.

We pre-booked appointments about 1 hour after scheduled arrival right at EDI. It was 99 GBP each.

The test center is an approved one, but the confirmation numbers they gave us had a different prefix than what was accepted by the Passenger Locator Form. You can’t finish the PLF without your Day 2 test confirmation number.

It was stressful. I had to check the test center FAQ to get the proper prefix and number format. But it all worked out.

For our return to the US, we made appointments at Hawkes Health in Dundee (one of the sites listed on the Us Embassy page for Scotland). We got antigen tests for coming home, and that was fine. They were about 50 GBP - much cheaper than PCR tests.

Thank you for your reply about your recent trip. As we are arriving in Glasgow, I don't know if such a test is available in the Glasgow airport. If you have any info about that test, i.e. company, etc., I would appreciate it. I have looked at the Glasgow airport website and found nothing helpful...which doesn't mean its not there! It could be my difficulty navigating websites!

We have not even thought about return requirements... actually, I didn't know there were any! First things first! i assume we can book those after we're there. We will spend the last three nights in London so it should be easier.

Again, thanks again for your response. And anything further you might have to add.
Susan

https://www.glasgowairport.com/coronavirus/

Looks like they have a clearer set of options than EDI did!

We played it safe and got PCR tests. But check the current rules on the Scotland gov site - things keep changing!

Make sure to check the US arrivals requirements. Your airline won’t let you board your return flight if you haven’t met the US requirements.

We did book our return test while we were in Scotland… but if you can do it before you leave, I recommend it. Who wants to waste time in Scotland on healthcare websites? We ran out of time, and had to do it on the go. If you’re near the airports, those are good places to get tests. If you’re nowhere the airports… I recommend calling the facility you’re considering booking.

Good luck!

I didn't find help there at the glasgow airport but have now found a provider that is on an approved list and i think we've got the plan set. I even managed to call late last night, so as to be in the front of the 'kewe' (sp?) and had a conversation with a gentleman who sounded reassuring as to getting the tests delivered in a timely fashion to our hotel. its all very very tricky, as you already know. This website we plan to use is covidtestseverythinggeneticltd.co.uk . Fingers crossed!! Maybe our conversation will help some other beleaguered traveller!

Thanks again,
Susan

This is the current Scottish Government page. Remember the rules are determined both by the UK and Scottish Governments in Scotland. If in doubt due to discrepancy go for the higher level.

Hi Susan--if you check this. Were you able to have them ship it before the day you landed? We are having difficulty, as we too are going 1 or 2 nights when we first arrive, so mailing it when we get there won't work, and Glasgow doesn't have an approved testing center for day 2 tests. Trying to find an official provider that will either mail it to us in the states or will mail it 2 days before we arrive to a UK address.
Thanks.

Yes I found one who agreed to mail it a few days early so as to have it there for us. However I must email a man who agreed to this as soon as I order. I believe it’s everythinggeneticsltd.co.uk. I phoned to them and spoke to Reef.
I suggest you try to contact them to arrange this.

Here is the correct email and reference to access more contact info, etc.
[email protected]

Thank you so much! I did find an approved provider who will mail it out early to a UK address. More than that, hoping they eliminate that requirement before we go (mid-Oct), since there are rumours that they will scrap the 2nd day test. Thanks again, appreciate the responses.