Day 2 and 8 International Arrivals to England
It is required to book two Covid-19 tests for any international arrivals returning to the United Kingdom. The test is required for variant surveillance on day 2 and a second test on or after day 8 of your 10 compulsory quarantines to check that you do not have the Covid-19 virus.
What requirements are in place for day 2 and 8 International Arrivals to England?
The new requirement from 15th February onwards from Common Travel area who are not returning from the red list countries:
Quarantine for 10 days
Take a COVID-19 test on days 2 and 8 of quarantine.
Follow the national lockdown rules
For more information please check the government website.
For Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you’ll need to follow separate guidelines.
What constitutes the Common Travel Area?
The Common Travel Area includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands excluding the British Overseas Territories.
For more information, please visit the government website.
What if I am returning from a red list country?
Red list countries are countries from where travel to the United Kingdom is banned. Please check the UK government’s guidance.
What do I need to do before I travel to England?
If you have traveled or even passed through a country on the UK government red list during the last 10 days before your intended arrival in England, please visit the UK government’s guidance.
If you have not visited or passed through a country on the red list in the 10 days before arriving in England, you can opt-in to our day 2 and 8 scheme:
Take a COVID-19 test and get a negative result 72 hours before departure to the United Kingdom.
You need to book and pay for these two tests for them to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of your quarantine.
You need to complete the passenger locator form with details of where you will quarantine when you arrive and the test package you book with PExpo Diagnostics.
You will be provided with a single reference booking number for your two tests which will be needed to complete your passenger locator form.
What if I provide incorrect information?
You could get a fine or be issued a prison sentence from her majesty’s government. Please check the government website for more information about incorrect information.
How will I be able to book the day 2 and 8 International Arrival test package?
You can book your test package from the government website. Alternatively, you can register to be contacted by PExpo Diagnostics.
Is testing on day 2 and 8 compulsory?
Yes, anyone traveling to England, who has not visited or passed through a red list country within 10 days of arrival, must book their Test Package, which will have two PCR Covid-19 tests for them, to be taken on day 2 and after day 8 of their quarantine.
When can I leave quarantine?
You must Quarantine for the full 10 days after your arrival to England, Although you have the voluntary option of purchasing the day 5 Test to Release program PCR package to b released. You can book a Test to Release test through our website.
Even if you test negative for your test to release scheme, you will still need to perform the day 8 International Arrival PCR test booked prior to your arrival to England.
Can you leave a quarantine if my test result is negative for day 8?
No, even if your result turns to be negative for day 8 you still have to continue your 10-day compulsory quarantine. Although you can book our Test to Release program to be released after 5 full days of your quarantine.
When will be days 2 and 8 tests be taken?
Day 2 PCR test need to be taken before the 2nd day of your arrival and day 8 needs to be taken at least after day 8 of your arrival.
Can I have my home-test kits early?
You can collect your day 2 test on or before day 2 but you can only receive your day 8 test on or after day 8. You cannot be in physical possession of your day 8 test before day 8.
Can I still do a test to release test on day 5?
Yes, you can leave your 10-day quarantine early if you opt-in to our test-to-release program.
Even if you test negative through Test to Release and finish your quarantine early, you still need to take your day 8 test.
Do I need to do the day 8 test?
Yes, even if you test negative in our Test to Release and finish your quarantine before day 10, you still need to do your day 8 tests.
What if my test result comes as negative on day 2 or 8 of my package?
You must quarantine for the full 10 days if any of your day 2 or 8 results come as negative.
If your test shows a variant of coronavirus being a ‘variant of concern’ you will get an additional call plus whoever you have been in contact with.
Please visit the government website for any extra information, you might need.
Is the genomic sequencing included in my testing package?
Yes, all tests performed for days 2 and 8 must comply with the genomic sequencing requirement.
Where can I fill the passenger locater form?
Very easy, click on the government website.
How would I be able to travel to where I quarantine?
You must go straight to your quarantine place when you arrive in England. Try to avoid public transport if possible.
Please see further details for more information.
Can I leave my quarantine place to do my tests?
Yes, you are allowed to leave for this purpose of collecting or conducting your day 2 and 8 tests. You must return as soon as possible.
Can I have more details of what to do in quarantine?
For full details of quarantine requirements, please see the government website.
FAQs
What is a Covid-19 PCR test?
A Covid-19 PCR test looks for the Covid-19 virus on a swab sample collected from the back of the throat and nose. Our private Covid-19 testing is provided by world-class UKAS accredited laboratories on CE marked PCR assay machines to provide fast and reliable results.
How much does a Covid-19 test cost?
We are pleased to have the widest range and best priced Covid-19 tests at our clinic. Please visit the booking page for a full list of tests, prices and availability. Some of our most popular tests are:
PCR Test (next day) - £79
PCR Test Same day - £89
Antigen Test - from £29
Antibody Test - from £49
All tests are booked online here. Simply select Covid-19 Coronavirus Test . Then choose the type of test which you require and it will show you all the clinic locations and times you can book. Different clinics offer different types of tests. PCR tests cost from £149 and point of care tests from £49.
Where can I get a Covid-19 test?
All our tests are carried out at one of our clinics, staffed by healthcare professionals. To select a location, simply visit the booking page and select the desired Covid-19 Coronavirus test. After choosing the type of test which you require, it will show you all the available clinic locations and times. Different clinics offer different types of test, so you may wish to select a couple of different test types to find the most convenient location for you.
When should I get tested?
You should get tested after checking the requirement of a country you are travelling to by visiting the government Foreign travel advise Website before booking to make sure that you book your test within the time-frame required
Can I change or cancel my test?
You can change your test free of charge . For any cancellation, simply contact us via phone, WhatsApp or email for a fast response.
*We are not able to make changes or refunds after you have taken the test.
How do I book tests for multiple people?
Simply book a test for the first member of your party. Then repeat the process for another test, but on the payment screen enter the details of the second person. Repeat for any other members of your party.
How is the COVID-19 test conducted?
A swabbing will be performed with a combined throat and nose swab, using the same swab. First, you will make contact with 6 points in the throat as illustrated in your instructions. You will then insert the swab 2 – 3 cm into each nostril.
What symptoms should I look out for?
We are learning more every day about COVID-19 symptoms and how it presents.
Symptoms can include:
Cough, both dry and/or wet
Fever
Loss of taste and/or smell
Headache
Fatigue
Diarrhoea
Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose
Conjunctivitis
Skin rashes
What's the difference between an PCR swab, antigen and antibody test?
A PCR is the gold standard test to determine whether you currently have Covid-19. This is the test which most countries require for entry purposes.
An antigen test, also called a lateral flow test is also used to check for current infection. This has the advantage of being quicker and cheaper than a PCR test, but can be less accurate at lower viral loads.
An antibody test looks to see whether you have had the virus in the past. Antibodies are believed to confer a degree of immunity to the re-infection by the virus.
If you require your test for travel purposes, please check the latest requirements for your destination country before booking.
Are all your labs UKAS accredited ?
Yes, currently we work with three national labs with direct supply to NHS trusts and large corporation. We made sure our list of patentees are fully compatible with the regulatory requirements by the UK government.
Is PExpo Diagnostic Registered as a provider of test-to-release and general testing scheme ?
Yes. Our Clinics are all registered as a test-to-release site under our parent clinical brand provider as PharmaDoctor.
You can check the PharmaDoctor name on The Government Website.
Do your tests detect the new UK variant of Covid-19?
Yes, all our test lab partners have confirmed that their sensitivity and specificity is unchanged with regards to the new Covid-19 strain in the UK. They will not however differentiate between the strains on your certificate.
What type of antigen test do you offer?
PExpo Diagnostics have selected the Roche SD Biosensor Covid-19 antigen and antibody test. This is available from £69 and is the first test by UK Public Health which assessed antigen tests with a sensitivity of 99.8% and a specificity of 100% compared with PCR. Some countries will accept this test as a condition for entry, in which case it is significantly cheaper and quicker than PCR. However, the majority of places still stipulate PCR so check the requirements for your country before booking as a fit to fly certificate.
A healthcare professional will take a swab from your nose and carry out the point of care test. You will receive your results and certificate by email within 30 minutes. Please note that this test is not suitable for children under 5, who should have a PCR test instead.
RESULTS AND CERTIFICATES
What information is in my results certificate?
You will receive your certificate as soon as your results are ready. This will include:
Name
Date of Birth
Gender
Address
Passport / ID (if provided)
The test type. For PCR this will be: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR Test
The date and time that the swab sample was collected
The result and date
Guidance from a doctor advising on your suitability to travel, based on the result of this test.
For PCR tests you will also receive a separate results certificate produced by the laboratory themselves. This includes:
Name
Date of Birth
Passport / ID (if provided)
Test type & methodology
Sample reference
Sample collected date
Reported date
Results
Details of the laboratory
