Gran Alacant Forum
Gran Alacant Forum => General Discussions => Topic started by: Spurs on August 06, 2021, 10:01.
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So with all the changes made Weds night to red amber green list one of the little gems thrown in quietly was “ travelling from Spain we now recommend a pcr test”
Anyone going to stop the €40 antigen and go for the €100 pcr ? I for one am not , I’m sick of the govt changing and then changing again the rules . Antigen or lateral flow tests are what millions of school kids , are having 3 times a week , and are in general use in UK .
Perhaps someone can explain the change in advice for Spain because it appears Grant Shapps cannot and has dodged the answer
Boris says he wants us to have all the facts and make up our own minds I plan to do that
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see here
The guy is on a different planet I think.
https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-people-can-go-abroad-without-looking-over-their-shoulders-the-whole-time-following-travel-changes-says-grant-shapps-12373075
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As the PCR test is only a recommendation I'm sticking with an antigen test as it's cheaper and quicker.
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Yes that is why I said he was on a different planet as who is going to spend an extra 60 Euros when they do not have to.
Derek
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Let's hope it doesn't change.
Just to enquire I went into the clinic at the base of the new hotel. Its a bit tight to get the (PCR) test done and results back with you in time to fly home and still be within the three-day rule. It makes flying home on a Tuesday tricky as they are not open at weekends and the results take 48 hours to get to you (plus its €100)
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The government are advising the PCR test but it's advisory not law, so the Antigen is OK, might change in three weeks though.
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Hi, does anyone know if an antigen test remains ok or have the rules changed again? - looking at the Gov website it appears to suggest that it is ok simply by not specifying the type of test needed - but then that might not be right up to date!
All info welcome,
TIA,
Michael.
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This is what I have just read on the Government Coronovirus website. It appears that a lateral flow test can be used but only those that meet certain specifications.
TYPE OF TEST
The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.
This could include tests such as:
a PCR test
a LAMP test
an antigen test, such as an LFD (lateral flow device) test
You must check with your test provider that the test meets the standards. You may not be able to travel if it does not.
Travel from Spain and its islands
If you are travelling to England from Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca), you are advised to take a PCR type test before travel.
If you have recently had COVID
If you have recently recovered from COVID but are no longer infectious, you should use a lateral flow device (LFD) test. LFD tests have a lower sensitivity than PCR or LAMP tests, so they are less likely to return a positive result from a historic infection. The LFD test must meet the minimum performance standards as set out above.
Sue
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Antigen tests are still accepted for travel back to the UK. 8)
The list of clinics, prices etc in GA can be found here https://www.alicanteholidayvillas.com/corona-virus-information
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Thanks both.
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Came thru Belfast City airport last week and antigen test accepted. I got antigen test done in doctors at mása square beside were Rodgers bar used to be. 45 euros and had results in 1 hour. You have to leave your passport with them for them to copy your information for cert.
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I contacted the Salvum Clinic at the Santara Life Resort to check that their Lateral Flow tests meet the required UK Government standards and they have replied that theirs does. 40 Euros and the result in 30 minutes.
Sue
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As always a simple test is mired in lack of clarity and confusion reigns. The . Gov site does state the minimum requirements, which would suggest LFT tests exist that don’t meet these. I’ve researched loads and took several outside the Uk and haven’t yet found one that’s not suitable.
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Thanks all.
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I contacted the Salvum Clinic at the Santara Life Resort to check that their Lateral Flow tests meet the required UK Government standards and they have replied that theirs does. 40 Euros and the result in 30 minutes.
Sue
For family groups of min 3 people, Salvum are now charging €35 per person 8)
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Does anyone know what is needed if you havent been vaccinated? My daughters friend hasnt had and doesnt want the jabs. She has had covid recently so only needs the antigen to come over but we’re not sure about what she needs to get back into the UK
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She may have to isolate
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Hi. Yes she knows she has to isolate but wasnt sure what test to return. I think its just antigen but not 100% sure. It is very confusing.
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I don't know the answer but I do know it's meant to be confusing.
So confusing that some consider it better to stay in the UK which is the whole point.
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I've just re read my last post and it could be interpreted that I agree with staying in the UK - which I don't. The whole point of the confusion is the Gov't way to make you stay in the UK.
I'm confused now. :-[
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I read it as you meant it and I think you are right. Just did my spanish locator forms. It actually makes me nervous!!!
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As far as I can tell she just needs an antigen test in Spain and then a 2 day pcr in UK . The whole govt advice site is a mess
Just a little advance warning though there are rumblings that started with Quantas In Australia that airlines around the world are coming up with a plan to not allow people who could be vaccinated but have chosen not to fly
You can take your own moral view on that but I spoke to someone I know quite high up in aviation industry and it coming and may happen very quickly
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"I know quite high up in aviation industry"
This line made me smile.
Derek
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Thanks for giving ue the low down. :)
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I can't understand the bit about " have not chosen to fly" why would you need the tests if not flying ?
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I can't understand the bit about " have not chosen to fly" why would you need the tests if not flying ?
I read it this way
"a plan to not allow people who could be vaccinated - but have chosen not to - fly"
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Sorry may have missed out a commer or something bottom line is no vaccine no fly coming soon to an airline near you . Not sure of my personal view on it but it’s coming I guess at the end of the day the airlines will be able to say these are our criteria to fly meet them or no travel
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All clear Spurs, cheers. I do wonder what the point is of testing at all, we had our antigen tests done in GA three days before we flew home, we could have picked up the virus the day after the tests still have flown home done the day two tests and then moved about between households and then have the test results come back positive, my wife's results were emailed on the third day from posting off the kit, six days later I still hadn't had a result so I enquired and got the result later that day,both negative I might add, think the whole excercise is ticking boxes.
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I'm impressed with Randox Health. I drop my test off in the morning, I get an email overnight saying it has been received by the laboratory in Ireland and then later that day my test results. I've used them three times so far.
I agree with kevinb about the gap between the test in Spain and flying home. The alternative is having to take a test at Alicante airport immediately before the flight.
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All clear Spurs, cheers. I do wonder what the point is of testing at all, we had our antigen tests done in GA three days before we flew home, we could have picked up the virus the day after the tests still have flown home done the day two tests and then moved about between households and then have the test results come back positive, my wife's results were emailed on the third day from posting off the kit, six days later I still hadn't had a result so I enquired and got the result later that day,both negative I might add, think the whole excercise is ticking boxes.
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I think your right loads of people have paid money sent off sample and still never got result back. It seems to me the whole exercise is pay £60 just to get the code number to put on you locator form. I have also heard of someone who had a test in GA in June to come back to uk and has been using same letter with different dates on ever since . Ryan Air give it a quick look and no one else ever asks for it.
Don’t think I’m going down that route I would be shaking at uk border !!!!!
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We went twice when there was quarantine on return and were subject to the daily calls from test and trace with confirmation requested of day 2 and 8 results. We've been once since the requirement was only a negative test on depart and a day two test on UK return.
There is no contact with T&T. We used Expert Medical (£35.99) the last time - we recieved one test on day 2 and received no results and one test on day 5 with result on day 8. The whole thing is now a money making racket with the idea now being to find the cheapest to get a code for the locator form.
The whole idea of the test on return was to track for variants - I read the other day that only 2% of positive tests are further analysed for variants.
It's turned into a farce;
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I'm impressde with Randox Health. I drop my test off in the morning, I get an email overnight saying it has been received by the laboratory in Ireland and then later that day my test results. I've used them three times so far.
The helicopter carrying the Covid test samples flies over our house en route to Belfast International Airport around 10pm each evening. It touches down a few minutes later. Randox are situated in Antrim, about 6 miles from the airport, so the cargo will get to them quite quickly which explains the overnight acknowledgement and rapid next day response.
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Flew out of Alicante today to Bristol.
Lateral flow test done yesterday morning at the family clinic. Was actually asked to show proof of a negative test this time by the lady that checks all paperwork before you get the slip of paper to hand in at the gate. Had to show covid vaccine certificate, negative test and locator form. To be honest she couldn’t have really looked at it all on my phone as once saved the print on the documents is tiny. She just nodded ok slip of paper given and on to the next person.
No exit stamp in passport either.
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I have gone back to the booth to ask for the exit stamp before. With this 90/180 day business it proves when you were in Spain.
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All we had was two Ryanair workers at the gate. No one sat in any booth like there normally is. Hopefully scanning my passport at Bristol will show I was out the country.
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I have gone back to the booth to ask for the exit stamp before. With this 90/180 day business it proves when you were in Spain.
I wouldn’t worry too much the information provided by API is shared, and should any country wish to check they can instantly see the time and date of arrival and departure.