Travellers from non-red-list nations must undergo a PCR test on their second day after arriving in the UK. Travellers who have received all of their vaccinations in one of the UK’s approved vaccination countries only need to undergo the day 2 PCR test. Travellers who are not completely vaccinated or do not fulfil the criteria must undergo PCR testing on days 2 and 8 after their arrival. Here is a guide to London Heathrow PCR Testing for those planning a journey in the near future.
Arrivals Without A Complete Vacination Status
On days 2 and 8, all non-vaccinated foreign arrivals must undergo government-mandated PCR Testing. You must reserve them ahead of time in order to receive your passenger locator number before boarding. This can be arranged in advance and there are few options available. One of the most popular options amongst arrivals is London Heathrow PCR Testing which includes the following steps:
- For the RT-PCR COVID-19 test, swab samples from the throat and nose are obtained.
- Samples are sent straight to an UKAS Accredited Laboratory for detection of all COVID-19 variations.
- Results are sent via email in a secure manner.
- Samples are analyzed seven days a week, including weekends.
- The Passenger Locator reference number is obtained only after the booking is registered.
Arrivals With A Complete Vaccination Status
All foreign fully vaccinated arrivals are required to undergo the government-mandated day 2 testing which can be done at a London Heathrow PCR Testing centre or at home. The PCR Test must be reserved before you start completing your passenger locator form, as it is required to insert the code given from the PCR booking. Everything has to be set up prior to your trip in order to be allowed on the plane. You are considered fully immunized if you have obtained all required vaccination doses.
What About The PCR Test To Release?
How does the test-to-release process work?
- The quarantine period for foreigners coming to England is 10 days.
- On Day 5, you may choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test in order to shorten the duration of your quarantine .In case of negative results, you may end the quarantine on that exact day.
- You may only take a test after 5 days in England.
- The program is optional and exclusively for the UK.
- All regular arrivals who have not opted for the teste to reslease program must quarantine for ten days.
- Choose the test to release scheme while filling up your passenger location form, otherwise you will have to resubmit a seconfd passenger locator form.
When You’re Back In The UK
- When you arrive in the UK, go straight to the place you mentioned as your self-isolation adrress. Please obey the government’s regulations regarding self-isolation.
- You may arrange your Test to Release before leaving or as soon as you arrive in the UK; however, you will be unable to take your test until you have spent five complete days in quarantine.
- It is very important taht you schedule your test on the correct day and time.
After Receiving The Results
You may cease quarantining if you get a negative COVID-19 test result while participating in the Test to Release program.
Quarantine is a legal necessity if you arrive in the UK from a non-exempt nation, territory, or area.
Fit To Fly PCR Test The Next Day
When the laboratory technician gets your sample, they will begin the extraction procedure. This technique removes genetic material from the sample, including any viruses present. The PCR machine will analyze the material. Your findings will be sent to you as soon as the lab receives them.
Antigen Test For Fitness To Fly In 3 Hours
Your findings will be sent to you as soon as the lab receives them, which is usually within 3 hours. You will get your test results in the form of a certificate which is called fit to fly certificate. It should include the lab details, your personal details and the date and time the test was performed to serve as proof as long as your result is negative.
*In severe cases, the findings may take up to 5 hours.
Test For Rapid Antigen (Lateral Flow)
The sample will then be placed in the lateral flow test cassette by the healthcare practitioner. The solution ascends the lateral flow to reach the test lines. In 15-30 minutes, you should possess the results.
Rapid Antibody Test
A healthcare practitioner will use a lancet to take a blood sample from your finger. Your doctor will next put your sample in the lateral flow test cassette. A few drops of buffer solution in the test cassette pull the sample to the test zone. The test lines are reached via a lateral flow. On average it takes about 15-30 minutes to obtain the results from this type of test.