Anyone know if I need a PCR to travel to an Amber list country after having both vaccines? The messages are so unclear , we know we’d have to have the antigen one to come back but do we need a PCR to travel?
I’ve looked at more NHS sites than you can shake a stick at , my heads buttoned up the back with it
I’ve got the certificate both in paper form and as an app on my phone ( Just in case) I can do the Spth before leaving here ( locator) and then book a antigen test two days before leaving there?would that be correct?
No didn't say you had to have one before you go, probably should have actually used those words, said you have to have one on Day 2 after you're home.
You have to have:
proof of double vaccination
Lateral flow equivalent done withing 3 days of leaving island
PCR on 2nd day of arriving back in UK
It's more likely to be because the UK and the EU have only just agreed to accept each other's proofs of vaccination. (e.g. my fully-vaccinated friend, who lives in Italy but who has a flat here in the UK, was unable to visit the UK without quarantining up until the UK/EU agreement this week to accept each other's Covid passes). When Prudie travelled, her NHS proof of vaccination was useless because EU countries wouldn't recognise it - but they now will.
That's quite untrue Chris, our NHS proof of double vaccination was required and accepted when we went (about a month ago). It's actually the airline that needed all this info, we did not have to upload our actual NHS vaccination QRs to the Spanish locator form.
The rules for returning are that you must take a Covid test no more than three days before you travel. Antigen tests (e.g. lateral flow ones are acceptable); you don't need a PCR test.
You then have to take a PCR test within two days of your arrival in the UK. See 'Find a test provider' here:
https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider
(The cost will vary across providers. My friend from Italy is paying £145 for hers when she arrives in the UK the week after next).
They seem to be bobbi but beware there are some negative reviews about Randox on the trip advisor forums (and good ones). We had problems with our Boots one so they can all let us down occasionally.
Travel TO a country means you need to check that country’s rules.
The NHS can’t advise on that.
Most countries require either a negative test is proof of vaccination.
Ukraine for example will let you in with only an antigen test plus a further antigen test on arrival plus proud of medical insurance. A few countries won’t let you in at all
The real issue is coming back.
The government’s chaotic handling of eg the French situation, where they genuinely appeared to believe that Reunion was part of mainland France (now denied) doesn’t instil much confidence