Passengers refused boarding amid testing confusion

[Kent Based]

Originally Posted by NRU74

Thanks,
Makes you wonder about the effectiveness of some of the quarantine.

Yes, particularly since the female making the complaint was able to circumvent the whole issue by simply flying to Belfast and crossing the border by land!

Is the ID of a person sampled checked during the proper tests? I mean if I had a temperature I could avoid getting a positive test by submitting the swab from another, healthier person.

[Glevum]

I took a PCR test recently and the test provider video called me to watch me taking the test.

[Hartington]

20 years ago I had a collegue who did not have a landline at home, just a mobile. Today, my son (a homeowner - well he has a mortgage!) only has a mobile (and 4g internet on a separate device). I suspect that model is more prevalent than many of us realise

[Kent Based]

Originally Posted by Glevum

I took a PCR test recently and the test provider video called me to watch me taking the test.

Was this to check your identity, or just some q.a. process? There's no mention of video link requirements in the test process. Not everyone has access to live video.

[Laarbruch72]

Originally Posted by Kent Based

Is the ID of a person sampled checked during the proper tests? I mean if I had a temperature I could avoid getting a positive test by submitting the swab from another, healthier person.

Yes. I did a private test at Gatwick on Thursday, I had to provide my passport details during the online booking, and then the clinic staff carefully checked my passport in person. They won't perform the test without it, and the test certificate also bears your passport number which border officials have cross checked today arriving into Croatia.

On the original story, I also detect a whiff of BS. I've found it very, very easy to research what testing is needed and where to get it, it's really not rocket science. You need a PCR test from a private provider, it's that simple. I suspect our heroine has tried to wing it, and when she was caught out she's now trying to fib her way out of the hole and blind people with some pseudo science.

[Nightstop]

Asturias56:

fewer than die from Covid

So, personal injury to those who must travel to the UK (including minors) due excessive and aggressive PCR testing, is acceptable in order to protect those who don’t adhere to basic Covid-19 health measures themselves?

[Pistonprop]

I just checked my options from DUS to BHX in July with EWG. Their BizClass fare on the flights I selected (Wed to Wed, evening flights) came to €235. PCR test over here €129. PCR test for the return €119. So basically, the total cost of the required PCR tests come to more than the highest (flexible) fare available. Ridiculous!

[Asturias56]

Actually a BizClass fare of euro 235 is what is ridiculous. (tho I agree they're gouging on PCR)

All depends on supply/demand - years ago I had a real problem convincing Corporate Accounts at my employer that the charge for 30 hours parking at LHR was larger than both the return airfare AND the hotel night in Aberdeen............ It was over a Sunday and no-one else was travelling

[Pistonprop]

Actually, a second look at testing costs in the UK (at a location not far from Birmingham Airport) it seems that I can't get a fit-to-fly PCR test for less than £250 (approx €290). That's almost three times the cost in my country! Are they kidding or have I got it wrong?

[highflyer40]

Originally Posted by Pistonprop

Actually, a second look at testing costs in the UK (at a location not far from Birmingham Airport) it seems that I can't get a fit-to-fly PCR test for less than £250 (approx €290). That's almost three times the cost in my country! Are they kidding or have I got it wrong?

Express test do them and have sites all over the country. Or can mail it to you and you courier it back. They are £80 for the test. I do t think anybody is charging £250 for a test. I think you may have been looking at a package of tests. Most of the companies out there now offer multiple test packages for green list countries, amber countries… etc.

[Pistonprop]

Thank you Highflyer40 and also others who PM'd me. That's an improvement, but still costly for a pensioned couple. It still comes to a total of £360 above the fare for 2 of us. Absolute daylight robbery! We're not even travelling for a holiday but for compassionate reasons.