COVID-19 Testing for International Travel

Outbound Pre-Departure / Fit To Travel test

Most countries now require you to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test in order to gain entry. This is commonly known as a ‘Fit To Travel Certificate’.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the entry requirements and restrictions for the country you intend to travel to. It is also your responsibility to ensure that you take your sample within the correct timeframe, according to the specific requirements of your destination country.

Visit the government website for full details of all international requirements and restrictions:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

For PCR tests:

Please ensure that you order your Pre-Departure / Fit To Travel test at least 5 working days before you are due to travel. This it to allow sufficient time for you to receive your kit, take your sample, return it to our laboratory, and for us to then process your sample and issue your result and certificate. If you order your test or return your sample at the last moment and there is a problem with your sample, or your test result is inconclusive, you will not have time to re-take your test and may therefore not be allowed to travel. AlphaBiolabs cannot be held responsible under these circumstances.

For Lateral Flow tests:

Some countries will now accept a negative lateral flow antigen test for a Pre-Departure / Fit to Travel certificate.  However, you must ALWAYS CHECK THE RULES for your destination country before purchase.

Visit the government website for full details of all international requirements and restrictions:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

If your destination country accepts a negative lateral flow antigen test, all you have to do is purchase and take your test within the appropriate timeframe, then upload a photo of your completed test and booking reference number.  If we confirm that the test is negative, we will issue you with a travel certificate by email within 6 hours of receiving your correctly completed online registration form and photo.

Inbound Lateral Flow Pre-Departure / Fit To Travel test

This test is for travellers ENTERING the UK and who are NOT fully vaccinated under an approved vaccination programme.

You can find full details on the rules for travellers returning to the UK who are NOT fully vaccinated here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

Please note that test kits can only be sent to UK addresses.  You must therefore order your test kits in plenty of time before you leave the UK, as you will need to take them with you when you travel abroad.

All you have to do is:

• Purchase your tests kits before you travel abroad
• Take the tests with you when you travel
• Before returning to the UK, take your test within the appropriate timeframe
• Upload a photo of your completed test and booking reference number

If we confirm that the test is negative, we will issue you with a travel certificate by email within 6 hours of receiving your correctly completed online registration form and photo.

UK Arrival – Day 2 test

This test is only for travellers who are fully vaccinated under an approved vaccination programme.

You are legally required to take a Covid-19 test on or before Day 2 following your arrival in the UK, even if you are fully vaccinated under an approved vaccination programme.

You must order your Day 2 test before your arrival into the UK and complete a passenger locator form with the booking reference details.

Please note that the day of your arrival in the UK is Day Zero.

Visit the government website for full details of what you must do on your return to the UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

UK Arrival – Test To Release Scheme (Day 5 PCR test)

This test is only for travellers who are NOT fully vaccinated under an approved vaccination programme.

You may be able to end your 10-day quarantine period early, if you opt in to the government’s ‘Test To Release’ scheme.

Please note that this option is only available to people arriving into and quarantining in England.

You will take an additional PCR test on Day 5 of your 10-day quarantine period. Your sample will be returned to our laboratory for testing and, if your result is negative, you will be able to end your quarantine period early.

Please note that, even if you test negative on Day 5 through Test To Release and therefore end your quarantine early, you are still legally required to take your second mandatory Covid-19 PCR test on Day 8.

Visit the government website for full details of the Test To Release Scheme:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel

UK Arrival – Day 2 & Day 8 tests

These tests are only for travellers who are NOT fully vaccinated under an approved vaccination programme.

You are legally required to take a PCR Covid-19 test on or before Day 2 and on or after Day 8 if you are NOT fully vaccinated under an approved vaccination programme.

Please note that the day of your arrival in the UK is Day Zero.

You must order your Day 2 & Day 8 tests before your arrival into the UK and complete a passenger locator form with the booking reference details.Visit the government website for full details of what you must do on your return to the UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Arriving into the UK from a country on the RED LIST

Please note that if you are travelling to the UK from any country on the government red list, you will not be able to buy either the Day 2 & Day 8 tests, or the Test To Release test. Instead, you will have to book a quarantine hotel package: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england

Visit the government website for full details of those countries on the red list