Home COVID-19 PCR Test (Fit to Fly Test)

Home COVID-19 PCR test for £150.00
Fast results emailed the next working day
Same day results for £199.00
Nose and throat sample required
Easy to use, fully contained self-collection kit
100% accurate NHS-standard laboratory test
Fit to fly certificate included

Buy a home coronavirus test with quick & accurate results

The AlphaBiolabs home COVID-19 PCR test is a self-contained sample collection kit that will allow you to take your own samples for analysis at our specialist, COVID-19 laboratory.

Once we receive your samples, our team of scientists will conduct a rapid analysis to determine if you are currently infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Our private COVID-19 testing service is fast and reliable and will provide you with a result the next working day (same working day results are available for an extra fee), so that you can make key decisions about traveling abroad including fit to fly, quarantining and limiting contact with loved ones, friends and colleagues.

Test yourself for coronavirus in the comfort of your own home.

Please note that AlphaBiolabs cannot be held responsible for any delays or disruptions to Royal Mail’s postal service when returning your samples. If you want to guarantee AlphaBiolabs’ receipt of your samples, you may want to deliver them in person to our premises located at 14 Webster Court, Carina Park, Warrington, Cheshire WA5 8WD.

Why should I take a home COVID-19 PCR test?

If you are experiencing the following coronavirus symptoms: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, our home COVID-19 PCR test will determine your current infection status so that you can take the right course of action.

Up to 80% of people infected with COVID-19 will show none or only minor symptoms, so you should also consider taking a private COVID-19 PCR test if:

you intend to travel internationally within the next 72 hours and require a travel PCR test report or a fit to fly test with a fit to fly certificate
a family member, friend or colleague, or someone you have recently come into contact with is feeling unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, or has been diagnosed with COVID-19
you are planning to visit elderly or vulnerable friends or relatives
your child(ren), or another child within their school bubble, has been sent home from school with COVID-19 symptoms
you have been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service

How does the PCR testing kit work?

Step 1

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Step 4

When is the best time to take a home COVID-19 PCR test?

For the most accurate results, samples should be collected from a symptomatic individual between days 1-5 of symptom onset.

However, if you are not displaying any symptoms (asymptomatic) but you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you may take this test up to 14 days after the suspected exposure.

What are the steps involved in using a home COVID-19 PCR test?

When you place your order with AlphaBiolabs our team will promptly send you a carefully packaged COVID-19 sample collection kit, via the postal service or by courier.

When you receive our specially designed sample collection kit, follow the enclosed instructions to take your own nose and throat swab samples (or those of a family member from within your household unable to carry out the collection themselves, such as a child). Whilst the sample collection procedure is simple to carry out, you may experience some discomfort when rubbing the swab inside your nasal cavity or throat.

Once you have collected the samples, carefully package the used swabs in the protective swab packaging and place them in the pre-paid, tracked-return polythene bag.

Once your kit is sealed, post it into one of Royal Mail’s designated COVID-19 priority post boxes. Follow the link to find your nearest priority post box: www.royalmail.com/services-near-you

On receipt of your samples at our COVID-19 dedicated laboratory, our scientific specialists will analyse your swabs to determine if you are infected with the COVID-19 virus or if you are negative.

If you have paid for our same-day-results service, your results will be available from 5pm that day.

If you have paid for our next-day results-service, your results will be available from 5pm the next working day.

If we receive your samples after 11am on any working day, please be aware that the samples will not be processed until the next working day.

100% accurate NHS-standard laboratory test

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do symptoms take to appear after being exposed to the virus?

COVID-19 symptoms can be different for everyone; however, guidance suggests that it takes from 2–14 days after exposure for the infected person to experience symptoms.

How is a PCR test different to the antibody test?

The PCR test, sometimes also known as the rt PCR test, looks for the presence of the virus’s RNA in a swab sample taken from your nose/throat. The RNA is the genetic material contained within a virus. When your sample reaches our laboratory, a process called real time polymerase chain reaction (rt PCR) is commenced. If there is viral RNA present, this process starts a ‘chain reaction’ and creates billions of copies of the viral genetic material so that there is a sufficient quantity to be detected and analysed by scientists in order for a positive result to be obtained. In the event of no COVID-19 RNA being detected, we will report the sample as negative.

An Antibody test looks for evidence in a blood sample that your immune system may have responded to the COVID-19 virus already, through the presence of COVID-19 specific antibodies.

How accurate is the PCR testing process?

Our home COVID-19 PCR test detects the presence of COVID-19-specific RNA within a sample where it is positive. The scientific processes and analysis methods we use are 100% accurate and will confirm whether the person being tested has an active COVID-19 infection, irrespective of whether they are displaying symptoms (asymptomatic).

Where is my sample analysed?

AlphaBiolabs undertakes all COVID-19 testing at our dedicated, UK laboratory, to ensure the safety and protection of our staff and to maintain our high standards of sample handling and testing.

How does the fit to fly test work?

If you require a fit to fly certificate for international travel, we can provide one at no extra charge as part of our standard service, with our COVID-19 PCR test.

Once you’ve received your COVID-19 PCR test sample collection kit, and you’re ready to collect your samples, you must register your test online. During this registration process you can select the fit to fly certificate option on the online form. Provision of a fit to fly certificate is conditional on you receiving a negative PCR test result and your answers to a series of COVID-19 specific health related questions.

IMPORTANT: Different countries have different requirements regarding entry, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. You are responsible for understanding the requirements of the country you are traveling to and for ensuring our fit to fly certificate and PCR testing service is sufficient for your travel needs. We cannot be held responsible in the event of any country refusing you entry on any grounds.

As an extra guarantee for fast results, you can select our unique, same day testing results service for an additional fee per sample.

If you upgrade to our same-day-results service, your results will be available from 5pm that day.

If you choose our next-day results-service, your results will be available from 5pm the next working day.

If we receive your samples after 11am on any working day, please be aware that the samples will not be processed until the next working day.

For our same-day-results service, your samples must be returned to us by 11am that day.

Your sample collection kit includes a pre-paid ‘Royal Mail Tracked 24’ envelope.

When returning your samples, make a note of the unique barcode reference number displayed within your kit box, as well as the Royal Mail tracking number, so that you can track your samples if necessary.

Once your kit is sealed, post it into one of Royal Mail’s designated COVID-19 priority post boxes. Follow the link to find your nearest priority post box: www.royalmail.com/services-near-you

Please note, AlphaBiolabs cannot be held responsible for any delays or disruptions to Royal Mail’s postal service when returning your samples. If you want to guarantee AlphaBiolabs’ receipt of your samples, you may want to deliver them in person to our premises located at 14 Webster Court, Carina Park, Warrington, Cheshire WA5 8WD.

What happens if my home PCR test result is positive?

If you receive a positive result, you and anyone living with you must self-isolate and follow the latest government guidance which can be found here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

What happens if my result is negative and I start to feel unwell?

If you develop the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, you should follow government guidance: www.111.nhs.uk/service/COVID-19/

What if I’ve already had Coronavirus?

If you have already contracted coronavirus historically, the rt PCR analysis may not return a positive result as the test can only determine current/ active infections. To establish a previous infection, you might consider undertaking an Antibody test.

When will I receive my Home COVID-19 PCR Testing kit?

Any orders placed before 2pm will be dispatched on the same working day using a next day delivery courier service. For UK delivery, the next day courier fee is £9.95, for international orders, the courier fee is £39.95.

For more information about Coronavirus, visit the NHS website at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

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