Covid test types

[audi321]

Hi all. Could someone explain Antigen tests vs lateral flows?

Some countries seem to accept PCR or Antigen. Why would anyone go for PCR when Antigen seems to me, to be the far easier and cheaper option compared to a PCR?

Or have I got it all wrong?

[Truckosaurus]

Anti-Gen and Lateral Flow are the same thing.

You are right about picking Anti-Gen over PCR on cost grounds. PCR test is over doing it, but no reason not to allow them.

[//j17]

Here and now there's no advantage of picking a PCR over an anti-gen/lateral flow test - but that hasn't always been the case and might not be again if we get another round.

Back at the start of Dec. I was off skiing the weekend Switzerland changed its entry rules with 24hrs notice, switching the pre-flight test requirement from anti-gen to PCR from midnight on the Friday. I was able to swap and fly on the Friday but only about 3 people from a group of 30 made it on to the Bristol/Geneva flight at 6am the following morning...the 3 people who'd decided to pay the extra for PCR test "just in case". The other's made it in the end but had to swap flights Bristol/Paris, then a 700km minibus transfer at their own expense.

[audi321]

Thanks guys. So I think I'll go Rapid Antigen. Trouble is, looking to fly on Monday. Is there any airport ones these days or is it postal/local centres I need to focus on?

[Mark V GTD]

Where are you going? Most places will accept a certificate obtained by an online service such as Klarity. You can use an NHS test

Edited by Mark V GTD on Friday 27th May 10:29

[audi321]

Mark V GTD said:

Where are you going? Most places will accept a certificate obtained by an online service such as Klarity. You can use an NHS test

Edited by Mark V GTD on Friday 27th May 10:29

According to the Klarity website they say the NHS tests aren’t valid for fit to fly?

[Armitage.Shanks]

audi321 said:

Mark V GTD said:

Where are you going? Most places will accept a certificate obtained by an online service such as Klarity. You can use an NHS test

Edited by Mark V GTD on Friday 27th May 10:29

According to the Klarity website they say the NHS tests aren’t valid for fit to fly?

Correct you'll have to buy their kit or use a similar service. Cheapest I found last year was £7.50. Basically it's a NHS test but a different brand/design and you take a picture of the result. Fill out the form through their link and the 'analysis by a qualified doctor' somehow is done within 30s of pressing the send button

For some reason the 'Fit to Fly' always carries a premium whereas the standard test with certificate is perfectly acceptable.

[Biggus thingus]

Just shows how complete bks this all is

[Biggus thingus]

Just shows how complete bks this all is

[Alorotom]

audi321 said:

Mark V GTD said:

Where are you going? Most places will accept a certificate obtained by an online service such as Klarity. You can use an NHS test

Edited by Mark V GTD on Friday 27th May 10:29

According to the Klarity website they say the NHS tests aren’t valid for fit to fly?

That’s the formal line. I’ve once again used NHS tests to obtain LFT/antigen results from Klarity for our flights tomorrow to the US. Done it at least 7 times so far in 2022 now. Zero issues at all.

[Essarell]

Alorotom said:

That’s the formal line. I’ve once again used NHS tests to obtain LFT/antigen results from Klarity for our flights tomorrow to the US. Done it at least 7 times so far in 2022 now. Zero issues at all.

Yes, we did the same, no problems travelling to the US

[Mark V GTD]

I recall someone one another thread tried both ways and the certificate issued was identical and didn’t differentiate between an NHS kit ands bought one.

Last time I used one I did pay the extra £7 and had the testers kit sent out to me. But the OP doesn’t have much time so will have to go to a clinic or go with an NHS and on line service.

I was traveling to Vietnam via Amsterdam and did the rest at Amsterdam airport after arriving from LHR.