UK-US travel, 2021/2022

[chefski]

This is quite a helpful summary of the reliability of the testing companies.
https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/1...ount-randox-express-test-c19-expert-medicals/

Thanks

Looking at Breath assured site following links to get a PCR with the Randox voucher it appears a test at Manchester Airport is £55 pp.

A home PCR test that you send off, which im not sure is acceptable is click & collect is £34.99 pp or delivered is £48 pp

Now if I have to pay any of those 3 for my day 2 coming back and just do the LFT to enter the US its not that bad.

 

[Plague]

BJ announced PCRs are required from next week, but things change and that may well be diluted to a supervised LFT, followed, if necessary, by isolation and a PCR. That would be far more sensible.

This is just a guess as I don't know how either of these tests really work, but it's possible that they think current LFTs may not reliably detect the Omicron. The lab process for the PCRs can probably be tweaked fairly quickly even if they aren't good now.

 

[chefski]

This is just a guess as I don't know how either of these tests really work, but it's possible that they think current LFTs may not reliably detect the Omicron. The lab process for the PCRs can probably be tweaked fairly quickly even if they aren't good now.

If that's the case I would understand but if its a case that the current LFT are not reliable enough then that's a worry. I was always under the impression that you had LFT and if you had any symptoms or a positive LFT then a PCR. If we are just bypassing the LFT then we are in trouble
Its getting scary again with more and more variants.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Thanks

Looking at Breath assured site following links to get a PCR with the Randox voucher it appears a test at Manchester Airport is £55 pp.

A home PCR test that you send off, which im not sure is acceptable is click & collect is £34.99 pp or delivered is £48 pp

Now if I have to pay any of those 3 for my day 2 coming back and just do the LFT to enter the US its not that bad.

And the next announcement is in three weeks, when we will be in the US!

 

[Plague]

And the next announcement is in three weeks, when we will be in the US!

On the upside - you won't need to bother queuing for any of the white-knuckle rides

 

[chefski]

And the next announcement is in three weeks, when we will be in the US!

Is that the next announcement from BJ or the US?

Im presuming BJ if so then at least hopefully we can get things sorted before they change it again for better or worse.

I know ive gone on about the cost but its more a worry about the uncertainty of things that's got me going.

I was quite happy having to pay for LFT there and back and was relieved it was booked now 13 days away its not clear what route I need and could change from US side at any moment.

 

[mamamia2005]

Feeling pretty fed up this evening. I had purchased our 2 day lateral flow tests from Chronomics. I have emailed them to see if we will be entitled to a refund
Looking at the day 2 PCR tests, we do have a priority post box literally at the end of our road. However it would mean we would have extra time off work and school to isolate until we receive the negative results. I'm thinking of booking with Eurofins at the drive through centre at LHR. They say the test results will be given within 12 - 36 hours, which would work for DH going back to work and DD back to school. I will still probably need an extra day off. Not ideal. I also worry about what time to book the test for in case passport control is a nightmare when we get back, and also finding the centre when I'm already shattered from the fight home!
The next review is due in 3 weeks - when we'll be at the Premier inn the night before we fly.
I'm also very concerned about whether the US will change the rules.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Is that the next announcement from BJ or the US?

Im presuming BJ if so then at least hopefully we can get things sorted before they change it again for better or worse.

I know ive gone on about the cost but its more a worry about the uncertainty of things that's got me going.

I was quite happy having to pay for LFT there and back and was relieved it was booked now 13 days away its not clear what route I need and could change from US side at any moment.

BJ. …. But give Mark Drakeford time and he will think of something different for Wales.

I agree it is the uncertainty and moving goalposts on shifting sand.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Right let’s all take a deep breath (maybe have a nightcap ) and wait to see what Monday brings.

 

[chefski]

Right let’s all take a deep breath (maybe have a nightcap ) and wait to see what Monday brings.

Sounds like a plan I don't usually get annoyed but its got me tonight

 

[zavandor]

How did it go with the PLF? Apparently it’s ‚easier‘ to fly via the UK if you are only in transit without leaving the airport before hoping on the next plane.

Who knows what happens next with the new variant anyway I remember when I flew back from Greece this summer which was high risk country at that time I had to get tested before flying back home which was quite a stressful experience.

I had to enter a booking reference from one the tests I had already paid, it didn't accept the order number I had for the Fit to fly test.
But of course now rules have changed. Are they already in place or just announced and waiting for implementation? The gov website hasn't been changed yet.
I'm thinking about asking if it's possible to upgrade my fit to fly antigen test to a PCR.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

I had to enter a booking reference from one the tests I had already paid, it didn't accept the order number I had for the Fit to fly test.
But of course now rules have changed. Are they already in place or just announced and waiting for implementation? The gov website hasn't been changed yet.
I'm thinking about asking if it's possible to upgrade my fit to fly antigen test to a PCR.

The change had not come into effect immediately and there was a reference to sometime next week. Interestingly the rules for those coming from the 6 red countries came into effect at 4am today and appear to be 10 days in an hotel plus NHS PCR tests on days 2 and 8, not paid for ones. Maybe that what Boris was referring to yesterday… NHS PCR tests within 2 days of arrival back in U.K. rather than private paid for ones.

 

[SirDuff]

A friend just got caught up in this. We live in Switzerland and she can gone back home (UK) and was due to fly back today. Up until about 8pm last night, if you were vaccinated, there was no testing requirement for coming into Switzerland. All of a sudden, the Swiss put UK on our version of the « red list » and requires PCR testing and 10 days of isolation for citizens/residents (others are not allowed in at all).

Mad scramble to get tested and has to delay her flight. She will, however, be allowed to travel by train to get home (a few hours from the airport) as that is the only way for her to get there (so, they allow that exception).

Makes me worry about traveling home for the holidays.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

A friend just got caught up in this. We live in Switzerland and she can gone back home (UK) and was due to fly back today. Up until about 8pm last night, if you were vaccinated, there was no testing requirement for coming into Switzerland. All of a sudden, the Swiss put UK on our version of the « red list » and requires PCR testing and 10 days of isolation for citizens/residents (others are not allowed in at all).

Mad scramble to get tested and has to delay her flight. She will, however, be allowed to travel by train to get home (a few hours from the airport) as that is the only way for her to get there (so, they allow that exception).

Makes me worry about traveling home for the holidays.

I read about the Swiss decision last night. Wow, there didn’t seem to be much warning. I really hope that the USA doesn’t follow suit.
I am going to be controversial and suggest that those travelling imminently order NHS PCR tests. They are exactly the same kits that you buy privately and have an identifying number on them.

 

[bavarian princess]

For those of you who are traveling in December. Aren’t you concerned that the requirements change while you are in the US? And that you might have problems traveling back home? Or am I being too negative…

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

For those of you who are traveling in December. Aren’t you concerned that the requirements change while you are in the US? And that you might have problems traveling back home? Or am I being too negative…

I am concerned but I am also telling myself that in reality I should be no more concerned that I was two days ago. The US could have/could change(d) the entry requirements at any time. If I have to have a PCR test before I fly to the US I will, but if I have to quarantine in the US for any period on arrival then I will cancel.
There will be some cost implications if a PCR test is required and also some if I cancel, eg. Kennels deposit. My daughter and I have unactivated APs for WDW and UOR, which will just be held in the system. My son has a 14 day WDW ticket purchased from Disney (but that will just stay in the WDW system) and yesterday I bought a 14 day UOR ticket for him from UOR (again I think UOR will just let it sit in the system). And yesterday I took advantage of some Black Friday restaurant offers. So it seems it may be more about money being tied up, rather than lost. We have a decent LV family annual travel policy as a back up.
My daughter and I have another trip booked for March. My biggest problem I think, because my daughter works at a boarding school, is trying to use up any BA vouchers that are issued before their deadline, which I think is September 2022.
Also, I have now missed all the Christmas supermarket delivery slots and I hate shopping at Christmas. Oh, and we have no Christmas presents to exchange as we agreed to buy each other token gifts at the parks.
Edited to add no Christmas tree ordered, no turkey ordered ….. .

 

[itf]

The reason it’s PCR is because PCR can tell you both that it’s positive and that it’s the variant (because one of the parts of the PCR detects a mutation it carries) while LFT only tells you positive or negative. It isn’t a cash grab, it’s to enable monitoring. It’s rubbish that it’ll be more expense but there is a good rationale for it. It’s how they managed to identify a lot of additional cases in SA so quickly.

 

[BadPinkTink]

For those of you who are traveling in December. Aren’t you concerned that the requirements change while you are in the US? And that you might have problems traveling back home? Or am I being too negative…

I travel to USA at the end of January and I am not worried about the entry requirements for the USA changing. I had already planned to take and allowed budget for a PCR test, even though it is not currently required.

I am also not worried about USA re instating the travel ban for Europeans. The whole issue of Europeans being banned from entry to USA became about much more than Covid. It was a huge political and diplomatic mess which was easy to put into place but took months of work behind the scenes and involved far more than just changing the text on the White House website. There is absolutely no way that European travel ban will be put back , as they know how hard it was to restart.

I am also not worried about USA requiring people to test and quarantine after arrival in USA. The USA ( Federal Government) does not have the infrastructure or legal jurisdiction for a national track and trace system like The UK and Europe does. Local states can implement local restrictions such as SAFE PASS LA in LA County in California. Requiring a PCR test and quarantine until a negative result like The UK are now requiring, can not be implemented by the Federal Government of USA as part of entry requirements into USA. The only thing Federal Government of USA can do is require a PCR test BEFORE arrival.

I am also not worried about travel restrictions in my own country. Again the travel bans and restrictions of movement out of Ireland is not something I see the Irish Government doing unless we have a situation like March 2020 where every country shut down. I see the Irish Government bringing back things like capacity restrictions on public transport, events and gatherings, restrictions on indoor dining etc etc .

I am not worried about quarantine requirements or testing on arrival that the Irish Government may change. I work from home, so quarantine will be easy for me to arrange.

Yes this new variant is worrying, but Governments have a better understanding this year of the balance of restrictions and requirements and the global economic and diplomatic effects of the restrictions and requirements. We need to keep our people safe but at the same time we need to keep world economies open. The world wide shut down of March 2020 is something that the Governments will try to avoid happening.

 

[bavarian princess]

I am concerned but I am also telling myself that in reality I should be no more concerned that I was two days ago. The US could have/could change(d) the entry requirements at any time. If I have to have a PCR test before I fly to the US I will, but if I have to quarantine in the US for any period on arrival then I will cancel.
There will be some cost implications if a PCR test is required and also some if I cancel, eg. Kennels deposit. My daughter and I have unactivated APs for WDW and UOR, which will just be held in the system. My son has a 14 day WDW ticket purchased from Disney (but that will just stay in the WDW system) and yesterday I bought a 14 day UOR ticket for him from UOR (again I think UOR will just let it sit in the system). And yesterday I took advantage of some Black Friday restaurant offers. So it seems it may be more about money being tied up, rather than lost. We have a decent LV family annual travel policy as a back up.
My daughter and I have another trip booked for March. My biggest problem I think, because my daughter works at a boarding school, is trying to use up any BA vouchers that are issued before their deadline, which I think is September 2022.
Also, I have now missed all the Christmas supermarket delivery slots and I hate shopping at Christmas. Oh, and we have no Christmas presents to exchange as we agreed to buy each other token gifts at the parks.
Edited to add no Christmas tree ordered, no turkey ordered ….. .

You are well prepared keeping my fingers crossed that everything will go as planned
I was more concerned about the testing capacity in the US in case it becomes a precondition for traveling back home.

I travel to USA at the end of January and I am not worried about the entry requirements for the USA changing. I had already planned to take and allowed budget for a PCR test, even though it is not currently required.

I am also not worried about USA re instating the travel ban for Europeans. The whole issue of Europeans being banned from entry to USA became about much more than Covid. It was a huge political and diplomatic mess which was easy to put into place but took months of work behind the scenes and involved far more than just changing the text on the White House website. There is absolutely no way that European travel ban will be put back , as they know how hard it was to restart.

I am also not worried about USA requiring people to test and quarantine after arrival in USA. The USA ( Federal Government) does not have the infrastructure or legal jurisdiction for a national track and trace system like The UK and Europe does. Local states can implement local restrictions such as SAFE PASS LA in LA County in California. Requiring a PCR test and quarantine until a negative result like The UK are now requiring, can not be implemented by the Federal Government of USA as part of entry requirements into USA. The only thing Federal Government of USA can do is require a PCR test BEFORE arrival.

I am also not worried about travel restrictions in my own country. Again the travel bans and restrictions of movement out of Ireland is not something I see the Irish Government doing unless we have a situation like March 2020 where every country shut down. I see the Irish Government bringing back things like capacity restrictions on public transport, events and gatherings, restrictions on indoor dining etc etc .

I am not worried about quarantine requirements or testing on arrival that the Irish Government may change. I work from home, so quarantine will be easy for me to arrange.

Yes this new variant is worrying, but Governments have a better understanding this year of the balance of restrictions and requirements and the global economic and diplomatic effects of the restrictions and requirements. We need to keep our people safe but at the same time we need to keep world economies open. The world wide shut down of March 2020 is something that the Governments will try to avoid happening.

Your perspective makes total sense. Last (maybe stupid) question from my side…for now you don’t think that the UK/airlines will ask for a test as a requirement before boarding the plane on the way back to the UK/EU?

 

[mamamia2005]

Ok so now I've slept on it a little, I think we will use Randox for our PCR day 2 tests. We don't have a click and collect near us, so will have the tests delivered. When we arrive back home, we will drive from LHR to Watford Morrisons where they have a gold box to post the tests back. That should get us the results by 9am the next day. We can get petrol there if we need it, and use pay at pump I would imagine, so no contact with anyone! We will then cut through Watford to get back to the M1 and rejoin our normal route home!
I've booked a Tesco delivery slot for 4 - 5pm so we'll have some food (and my Mum will have been round to leave us a loaf of bread and some milk!)
I am concerned that the US will change requirements and will want PCR tests before travel.
Still concerned about whether the borders will close either before we go or while we are there, but I really don't want to spend my whole holiday worrying about it.