As countries start to reopen they all have different requirements, many of these require proof of a negative COVID test within a certain time. So how do you arrange this and can you use an NHS test?
Each country has different requirements, but the majority will not accept an email or text test result which is what you get with the NHS. Most countries want a certificate of being COVID free. Each country varies and there seems to be no general certificate that is worldwide. I would make sure you check very carefully with the country you are travelling to. On the first BA flight to Barbados, a lot of people were held back at the airport to be tested again as they would not accept NHS tests and there were also issues with home testing kits. They were basing the 72 hours on when the kit was posted to you, not when you got the results or actually took the test.
If you are looking at ex EU flights both Frankfurt and Munich airports will be offering testing at the airport which could make life a lot simpler. Istanbul also offers a cheap and quick testing service. Thank you to ‘Turning Left For Less’, in which a version of this information first appeared.
The good news is that these are available fairly easily. The bad news is that most don’t 100% guarantee that they will achieve test results in a certain time and, also, you will have to pay a not-insignificant sum of money for it and, if you’re outside London, they only seem to be available as a home test kit.
London Doctors Clinic
This is a private test from London Doctors Clinic. The test kit arrives within 1-2 days Results from the swab test are usually available within 3 working days of receipt. In our experience, it arrived back in 48 hours. The price of the test has risen hugely in the last few weeks and they now want a whopping £189 but this at least includes postage both ways. You then need to get a certificate which costs £25. If you want to speed things up, you can pay £45 to have the test couriered to you, and then the courier will wait 20 minutes for you to take the test, and then they will return it to the lab.
Nomad
Nomad is a travel specialist health company. They have recently started offering COVID tests for travel. The price is a lot more reasonable at £160 including the certificate. Again this is a home PCR test. If you require certification, i.e. a Doctors’s Letter with the test result, then you will also need a video consultation to confirm that it is you who is taking the sample. The clinician will guide you through how to take the sample and will require to view a piece of photo I.D. via the video chat too.
However, it gives no timescales or time guarantees, so in terms of a travel certificate, these seem pretty useless as most places need you to be tested within 72 hours of arrival.
London General Practice
If you want a more speedy service then is probably for you, but it comes at a price. The test is easy to use from home, and is dispatched the same day. Test dispatch is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will have a short video consultation prior to the test to discuss its suitability and how to take the test. You can then do the test at home, using a kit we will send you via courier. On return, results are available same day (if the swabs are returned by 7:00am), and once ready one of their Doctors will be in touch to discuss the results with you.
The price for the Swab Test is £315, which includes the test itself plus the pre and post-test advice and interpretation service with a Doctors. They can also provide a test certificate for travel.
City Doc
City Doc offer tests for travel and understand that the tests need to be processed between five and three days before the flight departure. They say that they will work as best we can to get the test processed as quickly as possible. City Doc says they are confident that these timelines are achievable in almost all cases but they can’t guarantee it. The most fool-proof way is to attend a test in person in London if you are flying from Heathrow. They can offer a testing service at their central London clinics (Canary Wharf, Oxford Street or City of London) Tests done here are sent to the lab in London the same day. Results are processed within 24 to 48 hours of arriving at the lab. This is the most efficient way to be tested quickly.
A postal testing service is available from the website if you cannot get to London. If you order a kit before 12 noon you will receive it next working day. You can then post the kit back to arrive at the lab next working day. The lab takes 24 to 48 hours to process the test. This costs £125 plus a £25 fee for the certificate. They ask for your travel details on the form so they know when you need the test results by.
Dr Cottrell
Dr Wayne Cottrell is a Private GP who has had a medical clinic in Canary Wharf for the past 8 years. As wells as offering general GP and travel vaccinations, they are now offering PCR testing for travel.
It’s primarily a service for patients that are either in London or near enough to be able to drop sample back in on the same day. The clinic will post a preprepared kit for guaranteed next day delivery before 1pm ( or you can also pick it up if more urgent if the kit is in stock).
You would then do the test the morning when the 72 hr window starts. You then need to bring the test back to the clinic or arrange for a courier to back to our clinic before 1pm the same day that you take the test.
You would get results back usually within 24 hrs ( can take up to 48 but rare) and get the encrypted results and an electronically signed medical certificate, confirming negative status ( if that’s the case), You can either print the document or access it in the patient portal on your own device.
It’s also rather useful that if the test positive they will assist with travel insurance documentation.
The total cost for the service is £250.
To help you navigate the changes of business travel, we’ve created the brand-new Traveller Toolkit. This invaluable online resource is packed full of easy-to-use guides and checklists for every stage of every journey. We detail exactly what you need to know and do before, during and after your trip.
You’ll also find innovative and interactive virtual trips, which walk you through each step of being at the airport, on the train and in the hotel. You can even check the travel restrictions and health status of your destination with our comprehensive COVID-19 Country Tracker, updated five times daily to ensure you have the very latest information to help keep you and your travellers safe.
Travel is changing. But with common sense and a good TMC behind you, travellers should have the confidence to once again take to the skies. It’ll soon be business as (un)usual.