Covid test/travel certificate

S

Scratcher53

Well-known member
Any help appreciated. We have flights booked ages ago to Lanzarote on 5 January. Under current travel guidelines, we need a swab test showing negative within 72 hours of travel and a travel certificate denoting that.
Can anyone tell me where and how I arrange this and at what cost ? Another conundrum is I presume all laboratories will be shut Friday 1st and weekend 2nd/3rd, so how can I possibly comply with 72 hours rule and get a test and certificate back in time for early morning flight on 5th.
We are 90per cent resigned to cancelling and losing flight money, but any guidance greatly appreciated.
 
Canaries tourist board suggest if you turn up without proof of a negative test, they have the power to send you for one on arrival (cost €40). Also UK travel guidance states NHS tests are not valid whilst the Canarian guidance says nothing of the sort. Just make sure you've filled out their travel locator form and downloaded the app before going. I know this as we are going in Dec. Hope this helps.
 
Thinking of going to Gran Canaria week after next. Apparently, we need a negative PCR test to get in as you say taken 72 hours maximum before arrival. Costs ranging from £100 - £150 depending on test turnaround.
 
See my post above. You can get one on arrival. The test result is only required if visiting tourist accomodation. If visiting friends / 2nd home = not needed.
 
Thanks Tommy. We were planning to stay a few nights in a hotel in Las Palmas and then a few nights with family. I guess, if we did it the other way around and said we were staying with family on arrival, no test needed ? Appreciate any advice mate,
 
Hertsseasider said:
Thanks Tommy. We were planning to stay a few nights in a hotel in Las Palmas and then a few nights with family. I guess, if we did it the other way around and said we were staying with family on arrival, no test needed ? Appreciate any advice mate,
Click to expand...
No problem. I'd bypass UK advice altogether as all they are interested in is making travel sound as difficult and scary as possible. Check you airline carrier's info and the Canaries advice is here:
www.hellocanaryislands.com

Travelling to the Canary Islands

In the Canary Islands, we are working intensively every day so that you can visit us in conditions of the utmost safety and maximum quality. If you’re having a holiday in the islands soon, here is some information that will be of interest to you.
www.hellocanaryislands.com www.hellocanaryislands.com
 
Covid Test centres open every day over Christmas (including Christmas Day & New Years day).....9.00am - 3.00pm
Results are coming back within 24 hours
You can walk in to any permanent site (Blackpool, St. Annes & Fleetwood) without booking and get a test.

Set the main contact up on your mobile and the confirmation of +/- will be sent to you by text........
Save you €80 (for 2 people) and wont cost a penny

And lets be honest....Turn up and you are + .......Then you have travelled all that way for nothing
I would suggest going between Christmas and new Years just to get the all clear.....and then go on the 1st......Testing Labs open 365 days.....
 
rockontommy said:
See my post above. You can get one on arrival. The test result is only required if visiting tourist accomodation. If visiting friends / 2nd home = not needed.
Click to expand...
What about if you test positive on Arrival? Do they give you a sticker that says Many Thanks for infecting the plane ROT 🤣 .
 
deary said:
What about if you test positive on Arrival? Do they give you a sticker that says Many Thanks for infecting the plane ROT 🤣 .
Click to expand...
I'll be going down the NHS route. Might as well get something in return for my £400Bn 👍🏻
 
Unfortunately NHS tests are not acceptable as you need a travel certificate (NHS don’t issue). Certificate must show passport number etc. These are only available when test undertaken by private clinic/supplier.
 
Scratcher53 said:
Unfortunately NHS tests are not acceptable as you need a travel certificate (NHS don’t issue). Certificate must show passport number etc. These are only available when test undertaken by private clinic/supplier.
Click to expand...
Stay in an Air BnB - bypass the need for a test altogether.
 
Manchester Airport announced their own Holiday test programme at the airport today (not to be confused with the NHS one on site)

It is in conjunction with Boots and they can do any test you like for a fee - some can be done on the day, but others can be done before travel.

Coronavirus Testing Information | Manchester Airport

Testing facilities are no longer available at Manchester Airport. Testing must be arranged with a third-party supplier before travelling to the airport.
www.manchesterairport.co.uk www.manchesterairport.co.uk
 
Hope no one was planning a Christmas trip to Jersey it’s going into lockdown from midnight tonight, infection cases have tripled in the last 2 weeks.
Pretty much everything is having to close apart from essential shops etc and they’ll stay closed till the new year.
 
Jaffa_The_Hut said:
Hope no one was planning a Christmas trip to Jersey it’s going into lockdown from midnight tonight, infection cases have tripled in the last 2 weeks.
Pretty much everything is having to close apart from essential shops etc and they’ll stay closed till the new year.
Click to expand...
Oh no!!! I was gonna go to jersey tomorrow 😯
 
Think the Spanish guidance has changed.... Test now required to enter the country for everyone from an at risk country at risk of fine/sent for a test.
 
Bit of an update.

As expected, straight in the country without issue - just the QR code needed from the app. Doddle - should've known as it was the same in Greece (Aug) ie loads of scaremongering barriers, few actual issues.

We had spent £50 getting NHS tests certified by Just Health in Burnley (all online) and I was worried this was money wasted, however the accomodation (AirBnB) did ask for certification explaining they are subject to a €6k fine if they don't. So for piece of mind, it is worth it, especially as the flights/accomodation are so cheap.

Despite the law, everyone walks round with face nappies below their chins.

Hope this helps some.
 
This is the very latest from the Canadian government today
This is hot off the press:
Today the Canarian Governement has approved a change on legislation in regards testing before arrival in Lanzarote.
As you are aware, you must have a test done before departing your home country, however, from the 10.12.2020 not only the PCR test is valid, but also the antigen test.
The test has to be done in your country and must be presented both at the airport and hotel to be able to check in.
You have to have the test done no more than 72 hours before landing in Lanzarote, and you must have a report with the following information:
Full Name
Passport or ID number
Name of the centre that made the test with contact information
Date and time the test was done
Used technic
In case of antigen tests: Legalised specificity and sensitivity
Negative result.
The test is mandatory for all travellers arriving in Lanzarote and can be presented both in paper or digital
 
Imagine feeling fine, testing negative days before a holiday then doing an instant one on arrival to a country and your then positive, that scares me.

Would love to book a holiday for next summer and hopefully with the vaccine etc it’ll be a bit more normal as I don’t fancy taking the above risk.
 
basilrobbie said:
This might be relevant.

www.bbc.co.uk

Britons could be barred from EU entry on 1 January

EU pandemic rules and Brexit may restrict travellers from entering the European Union.
www.bbc.co.uk
Click to expand...
I don’t think so Robbie - too many on here will ignore this and say its all part of Project Fear and turn up at the airport demanding the freedom loving Brits “right” to travel and anyway the Spanish are crying out for our custom so they will just wave the Brits through, no need for passport checks, were all friends here.

Seriously, good luck to anyone who is travelling after 01/01/21 I’ll be interested to hear what your experiences have been like. I did hear that in Spain they are more likely to be accommodating on passport control than they actually need to be in the brave new world.
 
Greetings from Las Palmas Gran Canaria. Some info that others may find helpful
Easyjet would not check you in or board without your negative result in writing
Customs here require you to show the QR code obtained from the Spanish govt site to allow entry
The hotel here required the negative result in writing to check us in.
Bars and restaurants all open. Face masks required in public
Fairly quiet, peaceful and about 24 degrees.
 
Hertsseasider said:
Greetings from Las Palmas Gran Canaria. Some info that others may find helpful
Easyjet would not check you in or board without your negative result in writing
Customs here require you to show the QR code obtained from the Spanish govt site to allow entry
The hotel here required the negative result in writing to check us in.
Bars and restaurants all open. Face masks required in public
Fairly quiet, peaceful and about 24 degrees.
Click to expand...
Hope you’re back before Saturday as Canaries have now been removed from travel corridor.
 
cruzzer said:
From Tuesday they are offering a reduction in the quarantine time if you take a test on entry back in the UK.
Click to expand...
I think you still have to self isolate for at least half the quarantine period and the tests are private so there’ll be a cost of between £60 and £120, presumably per person.

If you book an overseas holiday at the moment you just have to accept this sort of thing can happen with little notice.
 
Hertsseasider said:
Greetings from Las Palmas Gran Canaria. Some info that others may find helpful
Easyjet would not check you in or board without your negative result in writing
Customs here require you to show the QR code obtained from the Spanish govt site to allow entry
The hotel here required the negative result in writing to check us in.
Bars and restaurants all open. Face masks required in public
Fairly quiet, peaceful and about 24 degrees.
Click to expand...

God. Why would you bother?
 
When you've been going through a tough time and travelling is your release, it can really help to get away.
 
The United Kingdom will remove the islands from their safe travel corridor list with effect from 0400 this Saturday 12th December. The decision is based on increasing numbers of Covid on the islands as a whole, but completely ignores the fact that they are localised in Tenerife, with all other islands showing stable or decreasing numbers. Several hotels, which had planned to re-open for Christmas are now reconsidering the decision. The decision means anyone returning to the UK from the islands has to self isolate for 14 days. This of course affects British residents of the islands who may be planning to return for Christmas.
Of course those selling the tests will do alright out of it
 
Wife did Lanzarote over the weekend, she got her private test and certificate from a place in Preston.
 
Hertsseasider said:
Greetings from Las Palmas Gran Canaria. Some info that others may find helpful
Easyjet would not check you in or board without your negative result in writing
Customs here require you to show the QR code obtained from the Spanish govt site to allow entry
The hotel here required the negative result in writing to check us in.
Bars and restaurants all open. Face masks required in public
Fairly quiet, peaceful and about 24 degrees.
Click to expand...
No such issues with Ryanair and the accomodation took only a cursory glance at our certificates which were contained in a WhatsApp message 🙄

Anyway, well worth the minor inconvenience for beers in the sun, I am sure you will agree 🍻🌞
 
rockontommy said:
No such issues with Ryanair and the accomodation took only a cursory glance at our certificates which were contained in a WhatsApp message 🙄

Anyway, well worth the minor inconvenience for beers in the sun, I am sure you will agree 🍻🌞
Click to expand...
Glad you are enjoying the break🍺 👍 I suppose it depends? Online 'Clinics' in burnley obviously making good money sending a whatsapp to provide certification for you😃.
See they have now introduced quarantine which is a pisser for anyone out there? What about getting back to the UK will you need to be tested again.
Or do the UK Gov just trust you to Isolate?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top