FAQs for PExpo Diagnostics Covid-19 Tests
+ What test product do we offer?
We offer Covid-19 tests for both Departure from the UK and Arrivals as well. Our tests are suitable for both Travel and General Testing.
All ‘‘Fit to Fly’’ negative tests come with a Fit to Fly certificate to travel. This certificate is needed for you prior to check-in for all types of travelling including by ship, boat, train or using a car to all the destinations outside the UK
Departure Tests
PExpo Diagnostics offer RT-PCR, Antigen Lateral Flow and Antibody tests with a complementary Fit to Fly certificate suitable to travel from the UK.
Antigen Lateral Flow Antigen Lateral Flow Tests are the quickest to get your COVID-19 test results but are less accurate compared to RT-PCR tests.
RT-PCR
RT-PCR tests (Real Time – Polymerase Chain Reaction) are the gold standard tests which are the most accurate of all COVID-19 tests and are accepted by all airlines. We offer 4-hour PCR test at some of our Central London locations for emergency. These tests take the longest due to the laboratory processing nature of them. You can purchase our best price Same day and Next Day PCR test at our clinics.
Antibody
We have lunched our Elisa and Fast Antibody test which measures both IgG and IgM. You can contact our clinics directly to enquire about these types of tests and more clinical information.
Arrival Tests
We provide a complete range of tests which are all suitable for your journey to the UK. As part of the UK government regulations, we have designed packages for international arrivals needing to be tested on Day 2 and Day 8. PExpo Diagnostics are approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as a private provider for arrival testing.
Pre-Departure (Before arriving to the UK)
Before Arrival to the UK, if you are not fully vaccinated with an approved UK Government vaccine brand, you would need to get a pre-departure test using a Lateral Flow Test. You can either purchase this test online to be shipped to your address in the UK before your travel out of the UK or simply add this to your Fit to Fly test and pick the Lateral Flow Test at your appointment for half the price.
Arrival (When arrived in the UK)
We offer arrival tests for Day 2, Day 8 and Day 5 Test to Release. These are RT-PCR tests if you are travelling from a non-red listed country, and you are NOT vaccinated. You are allowed to travel to our testing sites (clinics) across England or simply purchase these tests as Home Tests to be shipped to your isolation address. If you are fully vaccinated, you can now purchase our Day 2 Lateral Flow test available both at our Testing Centres or as Home Test kit with quick delivery.
Regardless of your arrival testing method, you are advised to plan this in advance as you would need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form with your test details purchased and paid before travelling to the UK.
Bundle Packages
We advise you to not add multiple test packages to your Home Test delivery and purchase them separately. They need to be booked and purchased one at a time to receive your Unique Passenger Locator Code accordingly for each person.
+ How to book a test?
You can book online using our appointment scheduling system using ‘’Book an IN-CLINIC’’ section. You will need to choose your preferred testing site, time, and pay online.
Once payment is received, you will be sent a Booking Confirmation email with you booking details, address, and a secure link to generate your Passenger Locator Code. You must fill this form online to receive your code as required by the DHSC to capture relevant data for reporting. Our PLF (Passenger Locator Form) code starts with PEXPO. Please always check your spam/junk folder as some email providers may place the email there.
At your appointment, you must bring a form of identity such as valid Passport, National ID or Travel Document.
Can I book by calling your line?
We can only accept booking via our online website and not by phone. You can also check all available slots on our booking platform online. We do not provide addiotnal testing slots via phone, although, you can always be walk-in to any of our clinics and be serviced within 15 minutes for your tests if you are in the area. Always check our opening hours before attending our clinics without prior booking.
What if you need more than one test?
You would need to book them separately, although we have added arrival Day 2 Lateral Flow test kits as an add-on to your Fit to Fly appointment with a half-priced discount. Simply add this to your test and collect it at your appointment.
+ What form of documentation do I need to bring to my appointment?
You would need to bring a form of identity such as your valid Passport, National ID or Travel Document for all tests. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by their parent/guardian. If you are an NHS or health worker and booked a discounted test, you must bring your relevant work ID.
+ What type of result will I get with my test?
We wish everyone a negative test result and are working towards a covid-free society.
The outcome of your test might be positive. This can happen even if you do not have any symptoms and if you are partially or fully vaccinated. In this scenario, you must isolate immediately to protect everyone close to you. You can find further help on the NHS website or reading our FAQs about this situation. If you test positive for a lateral flow test, you are eligible for a free PCR test from the UK Government website to be sent to your place of isolation.
In very few cases (less than 0.2%), a result of ‘’indeterminate’’ may show after the analysis of your test. This is either due to a very faint line or no line with our Lateral Flow tests or an Invalid response from the laboratory. In the circumstances, we would invite you to come to the clinic for a half price retest or provide you discounted code for Home kit delivery.
+ I have done my test and still have not received my result
We try our best to provide you the result of your RT-PCR test as promised when you book according to the type of test booked
Same Day RT-PCR test – Result by midnight the same day
Next Day RT-PCR test – Result by midnight the following day
4-hour RT-PCR test – This time is between the time the test is arrived at our laboratory until the certificate is issued to your email. Please give us at least 4 hours before contacting us via email or WhatsApp.
Antigen Lateral Flow for Fit to Fly results take up to 1 hour in clinic and between 12-24 hours if you have purchased a home kit.
Home Test PCR test results are released between 24-48 hours after the sample reaches the laboratory.
If the time has passed the recommended period mentioned above, please contact us via email, WhatsApp, or by calling us. Our 24/7 customer service will prioritise your case.
+ How do I pay for the test?
You can pay via our accepted payment methods using Mastercard/Visa/American Express/Diners Card & Maestro online and in-clinic. We do not accept payments over the phone.
If you are using a coupon or a discount code, you can enter this online or show this to our colleagues at our Testing Centres.
+ How will my Data be stored and used?
PExpo Diagnostics only collects data about your DNA for COVID-19 testing purposes and with your consent, all our COVID-19 Tests are based on your DNA samples.
We only use these samples for the purpose conducting the test and relevant reporting to Public Health England (UK Health Security Agency). All samples are destroyed using following relevant and strict standard operating procedures after the COVID-19 test is completed. These data are then passed to Public Health England within 24 hours of this type of DNA test.
+ What type of test do I need to buy?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, entry requirements for all nations are distinct and continually changing. Before you travel, it is your obligation to ensure that you have all of the essential and correct documentations.
It is critical that you extensively research the kind of tests you will require for your entire travel, including transit stops.
Airlines' websites, the governments' websites of the countries you'll be visiting, and the UK government's website, which organises nations alphabetically so you can find them quickly, are all good places to start your research.
The current UK Government Foreign Travel Advice (for travel outside the UK) is a good place to start, and then check the criteria for returning to the UK. It's also a good idea to check with your airline.
Testing for Arrivals
The tests you'll require when you arrive in the UK are determined by whether you visited a red-list country, your vaccination status if you're an adult, your country of residence and age if you're a child, and which country you'll be travelling into (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales). On gov.uk, you should look at the following pages:
Take a trip to England Countries having Approved Proof of Vaccination are on the Red List.
You may also check our FAQ on Children's Arrivals Tests for links to information particular to children coming in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales.
Please allow enough time for these tests to be completed (and the results to be delivered to you) before attempting to travel. It is your responsibility to manage this test window. For timeframes, please see the FAQ titled "When will I receive my result?"
Children and adolescents
The requirements for arrivals tests for children and young people vary depending on their age and country of residence. All of the UK's devolved governments have different Arrivals requirements. Please check the website of each nation for more in-depth information. You click on each nation to be redirected to their website for travel advise below :
