Off Topic Urgent COVID testing

It’s urgent for me anyway.

The little wife and I are looking to go to Italy on the 29/08/21. We should be there for 2 weeks.

Currently looking at booking the relevant tests to get out and then back in again. There are PCR tests or there are Antigen tests. One seems to cost at least £80 each and one seems to cost at least £30’ish each.

Trying to work out if I’m missing something. Why would anyone go for the more expensive ones and they seem to take longer to get.

I’m sure there are some well seasoned travellers who should be able to help. So, please help. Thanks.

 

Antigen is the one you take over there before you come back mate. It’s called a return to UK test. Best place I found, which is a self test is with Medicspot. Do the test.. photo it next to your passport… send it off and get a certificate within 24 hours. Costs about £40 odd quid tops.

If you use the BA or BritishAurways codes they usually knock 15% off.

when you get back, as Italy is amber i think.. you need to do a self PCR test on day 2. Randox is your next bet here… and it’s around £60 tops. Again the airlines have codes you can use to get it cheaper. With Randox you just self test then drive to Washington services and drop it in their dedicated drop box.

the only variable I aren’t sure of is the Italian end as they may need you to either present a double jab certificate and/or neg test.

worth checking the govt website on travel to Italy first.

 

Thanks.

Have looked and Italy is 5 day isolation when you get there but that ends on 30th August. I assume we won’t have to then do the 5 days as arrive on 29th August.

Also need to fill in online form and ring regional telephone number on arrival to tell them we’re there.

If 5 day isolation then would have needed test there to get free of isolation. Not sure what’s to happen now if 5 day isolation ends after 1 day for us!! Supposed to get in touch with Italian Consulate who should help.

 

One daft query, well two.

Test is supposed to be within 48 hours of travel.

Firstly, is that from date of test or date of result?

Secondly, is that time of arrival or time of departure?

 

Not travelled myself yet mate. First trip is meant to be Turkey (or if cancelled Spain) at end of Sept then N Carolina in Oct.

I was sent this though a bit back as a guide.

 

We used Chronomics via the jet2 page. £102 for the three tests you need.

 

I tried postal with boots for 65 but in the end I decided on £80 metro centre as its guaranteed by 10pm the following day even if its a Sunday you get it done

Get there early because I was there 15 mins early and by the time 11 am came around the queue was a mile long

If you don't wear a mask that's not my concern, but if I'm wearing mine then keep the **** away from me

There's morons that don't wear masks and don't have the decency to keep their distance, so if I punch you in the face then I'm not sorry

 

Departure mate

It's a really small window.

 

Like I say don't wear one, but keep out my way or you're impacting my personal choice by breaking social distancing rules and I will become aggressive.

You think I want to get ill on my very experience trip? No so keep out of my way.

 

I'd be more concerned about sitting in a tin can for a few hours with everybody else's co2 being circulated around my lungs than standing in the metty for 30 mins if I were you like mate !!

 

The point is once everyone is on the plane they've been tested so pretty safe.

What I'm saying is these people make no effort to keep out your way and its just ignorance.

If they choose to not wear one that's fine, but when they stand right behind me without a mask on when they can see I'm wearing one and after I've left distance in front then they're basically telling me to **** off.

 

Its almost like this has turned into a money making scheme...

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Maybe they post on here, it's what we all tell you to do as well!

 

Sounds too much of a **** about man. Too much hassle. Got Vegas next year I’m hoping I don’t have to piss about with all that like.

 

You do it all and all they checked was my passport and vaccination letter... Its the other country that asks for the fit to fly