What Type of Test do I Need, PCR or Rapid Antigen?
The summer holidays are here, and international travel is back on.
By Dr. JODIE MOSS
The summer holidays are here, and international travel is back on. As with last summer, we experienced a new way travelling with “travel corridors” introduced, this year we have a traffic light system with countries placed on either green, amber, amber plus or red lists. These travel lists are currently updated every 3 weeks at the moment but ensure to check before you travel. Depending on the country you travel to will depend upon which tests you will need to do before you travel and what tests you’ll need when returning back to the UK.
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With each country having their own requirements you will need to visit the government website to find out what the entry requirements are. Some countries require proof of a negative PCR test certificate or a negative Rapid Antigen Test certificate. If this is the case, you will need to take test by using a private testing provider such as Klarity. We recommend at Klarity that you purchase your tests at least 7 days before your trip to make sure your test-kits arrive on time and you get your test results and fit to fly certificate back before you travel. At Klarity all our tests are self-tests which don’t require you to visit a test clinic or doctor, you can perform your test yourself in the comfort of your home or accommodation. For some countries they may not require you to show a negative test certificate from a PCR or rapid antigen test, but you might be able to show your vaccination status if you are double vaccinated. You can show your vaccination status by downloading the NHS app and logging into your account.
When returning back to the UK you’ll need to take a Rapid Antigen Test (lateral flow test) within 48 hours before you travel as you are required to show a negative covid-19 fit to fly certificate. If you are returning from a green and amber list country and are double vaccinated, you won’t be required to quarantine for 10 days but you will need to take a PCR test on or before day 2 of your return. The day you arrive back into the country is day 0. Before entering back into the UK you will need to complete a passenger locator form (PLF), on this form they ask for a booking reference number for your day 2 test. Once you purchase your day 2 test on Klarity we will send you your booking reference number in an email.