COVID

I just found out last night that in order to be able to travel to the Falklands in early April, I have to show a negative PCR test result dated within 5 days of my travel date.

I'm entitled to a free PCR test on the NHS as I'm an essential worker, but when I've tried to book a test at a walk-through or drive-through site, they only show appointments available for today and/or tomorrow, and no other days at all.

So it would appear that you can only book a PCR test for the same day or the next day and not any further ahead - anyone know if this is definitely the case?

The earliest date I can get a test result in order to be within the required 5 days is 3rd April, so I'm guessing I'll have to wait until the beginning of April to book a test... though that feels a bit risky to me. I could order a home test, but I'm concerned I won't have enough time to do the test, send it back, and get the result in time for my flight.

I just found out last night that in order to be able to travel to the Falklands in early April, I have to show a negative PCR test result dated within 5 days of my travel date.

I'm entitled to a free PCR test on the NHS as I'm an essential worker, but when I've tried to book a test at a walk-through or drive-through site, they only show appointments available for today and/or tomorrow, and no other days at all.

So it would appear that you can only book a PCR test for the same day or the next day and not any further ahead - anyone know if this is definitely the case?

The earliest date I can get a test result in order to be within the required 5 days is 3rd April, so I'm guessing I'll have to wait until the beginning of April to book a test... though that feels a bit risky to me. I could order a home test, but I'm concerned I won't have enough time to do the test, send it back, and get the result in time for my flight.

Does it have to be a PCR test?  What about lateral flow testing? 

Does it have to be a PCR test?  What about lateral flow testing?

It has to be a PCR test.

These are the instructions we’ve been given:

“Senegal authorities require a negative PCR test dated no more than 5 days prior to arrival as a condition of entry to the country. D-5 testing is therefore required to ensure any extended delays on the ground in Dakar can be managed through the ability to deluge passengers into hotels when necessary.

As of 1 Mar 21 there will be a new requirement for all Southbound SAA passengers to be in possession of a negative COVID PCR test result as a condition of travel.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah, I see.  Since you can do a lateral flow test at home and get results at home within the hour, it's more flexible for timing purposes.  But if it must be PCR, then I guess that's that.  In my experience, the home PCR kits take about a week from start to finish (placing an order for the kit and getting the result back).  I haven't used any walk-through or drive-through sites though. 

Ah, I see.  Since you can do a lateral flow test at home and get results at home within the hour, it's more flexible for timing purposes.  But if it must be PCR, then I guess that's that.  In my experience, the home PCR kits take about a week from start to finish (placing an order for the kit and getting the result back).

Yeah, I feel like doing the home test wouldn’t give me enough time, especially as it’ll be Easter weekend when I need to get it sorted.

It’s a bit tricky too because I’m going back to my parents’ house for a few days before I go, so I won’t be at my normal address at the time I need to get the test done.

It looks like I’ll probably just have to book an appointment at the end of next week for a next-day walk-though or drive-through test.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Anyone else getting annoyed at American friends/family thinking they/you can travel all of a sudden?

Anyone else getting annoyed at American friends/family thinking they/you can travel all of a sudden?

150%!!!!

My family have been a tad too much like that since the beginning... all for specific reasons, mind. But from where I’m standing, frivolous travel (eg to another state regularly for college scouted soccer tournaments, to the next town to go to a spa, travelling to another state for thanksgiving (?!??), friends’ houses for movie nights etc.... etc...).

My mum is going to try to come here now that she’s fully vaccinated to help me when the baby arrived and the hubs goes back to work. She’ll quarantine at air b n b and then stay in our spare bedroom (provided this housemove happens next week!!!!).

I’ve broken the rules three times in the last year, and will next week when my daughter and I go to stay at the in laws during our house move, but at least it’s all been because of stuff like that!! Oh and once was the hubs saying goodbye to his brother who was dying of cancer a week before he passed... I don’t actually feel bad about any of the times as they have all been fairly necessary...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My family have been a tad too much like that since the beginning... all for specific reasons, mind. But from where I’m standing, frivolous travel (eg to another state regularly for college scouted soccer tournaments, to the next town to go to a spa, travelling to another state for thanksgiving (?!??), friends’ houses for movie nights etc.... etc...).

My mum is going to try to come here now that she’s fully vaccinated to help me when the baby arrived and the hubs goes back to work. She’ll quarantine at air b n b and then stay in our spare bedroom (provided this housemove happens next week!!!!).

I’ve broken the rules three times in the last year, and will next week when my daughter and I go to stay at the in laws during our house move, but at least it’s all been because of stuff like that!! Oh and once was the hubs saying goodbye to his brother who was dying of cancer a week before he passed... I don’t actually feel bad about any of the times as they have all been fairly necessary...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ooo, move happening?  EEEKS!!!!  I'm so pleased for you!

My parents are all "but we are safe".  It KILLS me.

My brother and his family (5 of them) are flying in to see my parents in May.  My parents bought a table so they can eat outside.  Ummm, they'll all be SLEEPING in the same house with the ventilation/air conditioning going.  I don't think that table outside is going to do a DAMN thing but you do you! 

I'm a bit grumpy because I messaged my mom this morning saying that I'm frustrated and she is all "it's pretty well over, we will see you soon".  Where is SHE living?  WTF? 

Ugggh!!!  I think things will not go to well in the US in the next few weeks. I hope I am wrong!

Tell your Mom to pay the £5000 fine to see you soon!!

Ugggh!!!  I think things will not go to well in the US in the next few weeks. I hope I am wrong!

Tell your Mom to pay the £5000 fine to see you soon!!

She would!  I'm not telling her that!  LOL

My brother had covid in December.  My SIL's uncle died from covid - BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL WAS OUT OF VENTILATORS.  But they are part of the "covid is a conspiracy camp".  Don't wear masks, won't get vaccinated (when able).  I truly cannot believe we grew up in the same home!  How are we so different?

Anyways, I told my mom that if they get my parents ill, they will have ME to answer to.

Oh and my brother was in the ER last week with chest pains and he was diagnosed with some heart thing AS A RESULT OF COVID.  I just have to separate from it all or I get furious.  LOL. 

Sometimes I wonder if the rest of the world just hasn't had any experience with the UK variant yet.  If that is really just starting to spread across the US and Europe, they are in for a big surprise.  Then again, I could be completely wrong as there is so much news that it's hard to keep up. 

My brother had covid in December.  My SIL's uncle died from covid - BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL WAS OUT OF VENTILATORS.  But they are part of the "covid is a conspiracy camp".  Don't wear masks, won't get vaccinated (when able).  I truly cannot believe we grew up in the same home!  How are we so different?

That's so F'd up.  (Sorry about SIL's uncle     So much loss with Covid    )

I'm getting increasingly angry when I go on Facebook lately. More and more of the girls I worked with (all registered nurses) are living it up. Weddings with over 100, no masks or social distancing. Huge family trip to Disney...on a plane. Very essential. Again masks down to take pictures because why not. Baby showers? No problem. Let's just all forget what's going on.

I just can't. Some of these girls have actually had covid. And they still don't care.

So happy I live here. They've lost the plot.