Covid-19 PCR Travel Tests: Day 2 Tests & Day 2 and 8 Test Packages
Day 2 Tests are compulsory for all travellers aged 5 and over entering England from green and amber list countries. Day 2 and 8 Test packages are required for arrivals from amber countries who have not yet been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, or USA. Order your day 2 and day 8 tests from D&A Screening – CQC regulated and trusted partners of British Airways & KAYAK.
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Latest Updates to Day 2 and Day 8 Covid Test rules
Last updated 12th August 2021.
Travellers aged 5 and over arriving into England following international travel are required by law to undertake post-travel Covid testing. D&A Screening offers a range of tests required for those travelling to England from amber and green list countries.
What you must do when you arrive in England from abroad depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive in England and whether the countries you have transited through are on the red, amber or green list.
We recommend checking the government website regularly to see which applies to your country of travel. If conditions change in a country or territory, they can be moved to a different colour category without warning.
These rules apply to England only. If you’re travelling to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please refer to the official government website as you’ll need to follow separate guidelines.
What is the new traffic light system for international travel?
Since 17th May 2021, countries have been placed in green, amber or red lists. It is likely that travellers returning from green list countries will not need to quarantine but will still need to take day 2 Covid tests that include genomic sequencing. This is in order to monitor if new strains of the virus are being introduced to the country. The current restrictions for passengers travelling to England from amber and red list countries are likely to remain the same.
What should I do if I’m travelling from a green list country?
If you haven’t visited or passed through a country on the red list in the 10 days before returning to England, you must:
- Take a pre-departure PCR or antigen test and get a negative result within 72 hours (3 days) of your departure.
- Book and pay for a day 2 green country test.
- Complete a passenger locator form with details of where you will quarantine when you arrive and the test package booking reference number.
What should I do if I’m travelling from an amber list country?
If you haven’t visited or passed through a country on the red list in the 10 days before returning to England, you must:
- Take a pre-departure PCR or antigen test and get a negative result within 72 hours (3 days) of your departure.
- Book and pay for a day 2 and 8 amber country test package which includes Covid-19 tests to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of your quarantine.
- Complete a passenger locator form.
What should I do if I’m travelling from a red list country?
A red list country is a country where travel to the UK is banned. Travellers arriving from a red list country will need to:
- Take a pre-departure PCR or antigen test and get a negative result within 72 hours (3 days) of your departure.
- Book a quarantine hotel package, including two Covid-19 tests.
- Complete a passenger locator form.
We are currently unable to provide test kits for travellers returning to England from a red list country or territory.
What is a day 2 test?
The Day 2 Covid test is designed to help identify any potentially harmful variants of coronavirus at the earliest opportunity. If you get a positive result from your day 2 test, you must self-isolate for 10 days starting from the day that the test was conducted. People you live with or have travelled with should also self-isolate for 10 days from the day after your positive Covid test.
You will receive your results the next day after taking your test. Travellers can stop quarantining only after receiving a negative result certificate. If your result is positive, you must continue to quarantine for another 10 days and follow the government guidance.
How much is a day 2 green list test?
Our day 2 green list tests cost £99. This includes free next-day delivery and a free returns label.
What does my day 2 test kit include?
Your private test kit will include instructions, a cotton swab, sample tube, clear sealable bag and a return box with a security label.
Does the day 2 test include genomic sequencing?
There is a requirement by the UK government to conduct genomic sequencing on all positive test results from day 2 tests. This is a very expensive process that increases the overall cost of the testing package.
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What is a passenger locator form?
A passenger locator form will be used to contact you if someone you travelled with develops Covid-19 symptoms. It may also be used to check that you are following the quarantine rules that apply to you.
What are day 2 and 8 tests?
The day 2 Covid test is designed to help identify any potentially harmful variants of coronavirus at the earliest opportunity. If you get a positive result from your day 2 test, you must self-isolate for 10 days starting from the day that the test was conducted. People you live with or have travelled with should also self-isolate for 10 days from the day after your positive Covid test.
If your day 2 test is negative, you need to continue to quarantine and take your day 8 test. If you get a positive test result from your day 8 test, you must self-isolate for 10 days from the day after your test date. People you live with or have travelled with should also self-isolate for 10 days from the day after your positive test.
If you’ve quarantined for 10 days and had a negative result from both your day 2 and day 8 tests, you may end your quarantine.
How do I book a day 2 and 8 test package?
D&A Screening is a government-listed supplier of day 2 and 8 testing packages for international arrivals. You can easily book your tests online for home delivery via DPD.
If your day 2 test is negative, you need to continue to quarantine and take your day 8 test. If you get a positive test result from your day 8 test, you must self-isolate for 10 days from the day after your test date. People you live with or have travelled with should also self-isolate for 10 days from the day after your positive test.
If you’ve quarantined for 10 days and had a negative result from both your day 2 and day 8 tests, you may end your quarantine.
Can I get my day 2 and 8 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 can’t be in physical possession of your day 8 test before day 8.
Are day 2 and 8 tests compulsory for all UK arrivals?
Yes, all those travelling to the UK who have not visited or passed through a country on the red list in the 10 days before arriving must book and pay for a Travel Test Package. This will include both tests to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of your quarantine.
Do I need both day 2 and 8 tests if I am fully vaccinated?
As of 12 July 2021, both day 2 and day 8 tests are required on arrival even if you have been given both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. However, from 19th July the government has announced that those who are fully vaccinated arriving from amber list countries are only required to take a day 2 test. If this test is negative, travellers will not have to quarantine.
When can I leave quarantine?
When you arrive in England you must go directly to your quarantine location and not leave until 10 days have passed. You can only leave quarantine once you have both received a negative day 2 and day 8 test result and passed the 10 day quarantine period. Please see further information on the government website.
Can I use Test to Release to leave quarantine early?
Test to Release can be used to end quarantine early. These tests must be taken on or after day 5 of your arrival in the country. If you test negative for coronavirus you’ll be able to leave quarantine, however you’re still required to take your day 8 test. See below for further information.
Who can use a Test to Release test?
As of July 2021, only those travelling from amber list countries can take a Test to Release test to end their quarantine early. Those arriving from green or red list countries are not required/eligible to take a Test to Release test.
Can I leave quarantine early if my day 8 test is negative?
No, you must stay in quarantine until day 10 even if your day 8 test is negative.
Can I leave quarantine after day 10 if I haven’t received my day 8 results?
No, you must receive a negative day 8 test and complete your 10 day quarantine before leaving self-isolation.
How can I travel to where I’m going to quarantine?
When you arrive in England you must go straight to the place where you intend to quarantine. Only use public transport if you have no other options. Do not travel by public transport if you have any Covid-19 symptoms. Please see the government website for further details.
What happens if I provide incorrect information or don’t quarantine?
You can receive substantial fines. The government website provides additional information on this.
Can I leave my quarantine location to collect or conduct my Covid-19 test?
Yes, you are permitted to leave your quarantine location to collect or conduct your Covid-19 test but you are required to return to your quarantine location as soon as this is complete.
Can I have more details of what to do in quarantine?
For full details of quarantine requirements, please see the government website.
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Fit to Fly Test
A fit to fly certificate is a medical certificate signed by an NHS trained UK General Medical Council (GMC) doctor. The certificate will show that you have tested Negative for Covid-19 having taken an RT-PCR Test and are fit to fly.
D&A Screening offers a private Covid-19 RT-PCR test complete with a signed fit to fly certificate. Book an appointment and take a simple swab test at your chosen clinic. If you tested negative for Covid-19, we can provide you with a certified Covid-19 fit to fly medical certificate signed by a UK General Medical Council (GMC) doctor. To book your fit to fly Covid test, Click here.
Our Covid-19 swab tests are fully certified and accredited by UKAS and PHE, ensuring your test results will be accepted by your airline and embassy. The RT-PCR antigen swab test is the only test which is universally accepted by all airlines.
Pre-Departure Testing
You are required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure*.
You must take your test within 72 hours prior to departure* An example, if you’re travelling to Spain on Thursday, you must take your test on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before departure.
If you fail to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result, you may be refused entry by either UK or Foreign border authorities. Please see the government website for more information.
Travel Test Package
(Day 2 and 8 Testing)
It’s mandatory to perform two Covid-19 tests after upon returning to the UK from international travel. You’re required to perform a test on or before day 2 for variant surveillance and another test on or after day 8 of your quarantine to check you do not have coronavirus.
D&A screening have now launched our Travel Testing Package. Follow the link to book your day 2 & day 8 test now
The tests are mandatory. If you do not take the tests, you may face a penalty of up to £2,000. Please see the government website for the latest information.
Test to Release
If you arrive in England from somewhere outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man it is mandatory to quarantine for 10 days on arrival. Under the Test to Release scheme you can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test with a provider like D&A Screening. If the result is negative, you can end your self-isolation period. Please note that you cannot take a test until you have been in England for 5 full days.
You can book in your test with us here, working with UKAS and ISO approved laboratories we are able to provide Test to Release Certificates.
No, Test to Release is voluntary. If you choose not to take part in the Test to Releaser scheme you must self isolate for 10 days upon return from a country not on the travel corridor list.
