To return to the uk it IS a lateral flow test (they just call it fit to fly / fit to return / insert catchy new name....it's a lateral flow ) They are exactly the same type of test as the 'free' (tax payers paid) ones, so arguably the NHS 'free' ones should be fine....it's just that mine has the supplier branding and a bar code on it So this is the stitch up, you need to obtain a certificate confirming your results, hence the NHS ones there's nobody to send them and obtain this certificate, thus you can't use the 'free' ones ...cunning right? So, UK government sets up an 'approved list' and for what reason? Cmon, you need it spelling out? Lateral flow tests cost pence to the uk government, but those dosey fuckers have spent hundreds of billions on this shit show so far...following? Company's on the 'approved list' charge £XX per test, not pence, multiple ££'s (markup is huge) My Mrs and I did ours this morning for the return flight late Saturday evening. Follow instructions, same as lateral flow but not even back of throat with the swab, then at the end our providers website asks to upload a photo of the test result while they approve / confirm.....you'd think someone would look? From submittal I had an email back in my inbox within about 5 seconds flat showing a 'certificate / approved test result' Nobody opened an attached jpg and looked, nobody did, you couldn’t do it that quick. It's a scam, the Gov will be getting a massive kickback from each one sold and certificate issued. It is purely and simply a money grabbing scam and if you think otherwise you're naive
Entirely agree. Why are fully vaccinated still forced to spend big and jump through hoops ? I dont know. There is no other answer to the covid issue after vaccination, lockdowns that resemble groundhog day must stop. Likewise needless testing and “barriers” to travel. This feking government needs a good kicking and we need our freedoms back. Enough of being taken for suckers, while they live by double standards.
Following this, I'm still totally confused and haven't left these shores in 2 years now... However, all being well I'll be at Valencia for the last MotoGP round, so I need to understand what I need to do at some point. It'll probably all change by the time November comes along anyways.
Arrived back in the UK yesterday evening. What followed landing, IMO, borders on criminal negligence. I and about 600 other returning passengers were herded into a 4 meter wide corridor in Heathrow T5, to join an already 40 meter long queue of people waiting to pass through into the immigration hall where there were as many as 2000 people waiting processing. At no time during the next 90 minutes was I able to maintain a safe distance from anyone else. The queue snaked painfully slowly through cramped lines waiting to use the electronic facial recognition passport readers, of which only 14 of the 24 were operational. There was a higher risk of contracting COVID here than at any time I spent in an Amber risk country. Absolutely shameful. Andy
My arguement is with Heathrow Airports Holding Company (formally BAA) who employ the staff who should have been enforcing government policy but couldn't even pay lip service to it. Nor was I surprised that the UK Border Force staff, all dressed up in their black para military uniforms, did nothing to enforce COVID restrictions or try to alleviate the situation. IMO, it was a failure in the facial recognition passport readers, which I have never seen operate effectively. Yet another UK government department under specified requirement, run on out dated, cheap equipment that ran way over budget and is not fit for purpose. Rant over and I will walk away from the keyboard Andy
It would appear that "they" have. I'd reccomend you take a look at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england
I was there too. When I got there the queue had grown to about 200 meters before the hall and was snaking back on itself again. It was criminal but the government have done away with all anti covid precautions so no big surprise. Nobody checked my passenger locator form or my day 2 test booking.
East Mids was brilliant! No queues, all paper work checked and through security in about 10 minutes. Kos airport was quiet too. But Heathrow is a much larger and busier airport, which I will try to avoid until all this bollocks is over.
I landed East Midlands last night, all went fast actually. TUI checked my PLF UK entry form at Rhodes and covid result email, after that nothing else happened or was asked when I got to the UK at all Totally smooth going, that was apart from the mind bending clutz of a man who thought he'd be fine using the facial recognition passport readers wearing over ear headphones (big cans) and his face mask covering chin to bridge of nose....wtf is wrong with some people. I lost my shit waiting for him to realise....he didn't so I pointed it out that if he wasn't wearing massive fucking headphones and a mask in his picture he might want to consider if that's stopping the machine recognising him
Lateral flow test was fine for entering UK from France today. I paid £19 for a kit that I took with me. PLF, vax cert & test result all checked by EasyJet in France. No further checks in UK (Manchester). No social distancing in the check in scrum at the French airport.
Well I’m sat waiting to fly to Marseille with BA, no scrums no problems, through security to airside in under 10 minutes. The Verifly app worked perfectly.
The Verifly app BA point you at did not work for me. It thought I was flying from the US and my girlfriend, on the same flight, was flying from France instead of Heathrow. Gave it two goes and deleted it. No issues at the BA check in desk at either end. I won’t be clogging my phone up with it. Andy
Just got back from a trip to the South if France. All fairly straightforward, to leave had to show proof of being double vaccinated. Prior to return walked into a local pharmacy and had the test done cost about £50. On the way back was notified of the result via email which then needed showing to the ferry company along with proof that the passenger location form had been done which needs the reference number from the day 2 test on it. Did the day 2 test at home which had to be sent to the providing company for the test result. I’ve no idea what would have happened if the French test had come back positive as they’d have no idea where you actually are. I presume you’d be instructed to go to one of their isolation Hotels . Ktm started leaking oil from the oil filler but all sorted under warranty at a local French dealer.
How to avoid wasting money.... Get a COVID Fit to fly PCR certification that doesn’t have a QR code (99% don’t). Then when it’s emailed to you, photoshop it with the test 24 hours prior to your flight. I’ve used it to travel to 10+ countries, 25 times, without any checks.
