COVID (PCR) tests for travel purposes
MAR 31, 2022
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** UPDATE: Please note that due to increasing demand for more traditional travel health services, as from 1st February 2022 we will only be holding regular (i.e. self-booked) appointments for COVID PCR testing on a Wednesday lunchtime and a Saturday morning. We shall however still continue to provide PCR testing services for corporate clients, schools and other clients on other weekdays by request. **
TrExMed Travel Clinic Edinburgh has been providing COVID PCR testing and 'fit-to-fly' certificates for over a year to enable essential travellers to travel safely. We are well aware of the paperwork and potential pitfalls involved in this ever-changing situation.
We currently offer:
- (RT-) PCR tests for travel purposes (see above update in green)
- COVID recovery certificates for travellers who have recently had proven infection, who may test falsely positive by PCR
- Antibody tests
- T-Spot.COVID tests for cellular immunity
- International COVID-19 vaccination certificates for travel purposes
Unlike most other European countries, PCR tests for travel purposes are not widely available in the UK, nor free via the NHS. Our own samples have to first travel by courier to London before being processed, whereas other local providers (see below) use a service in Belfast.
Even once it reaches the lab, an individual sample takes 3-4 hours minimum to process on the analyser. For all the above reasons, the cost of a PCR test (which includes the courier) is relatively expensive here at £120.
In addition, we at TrExMed charge a modest 'single item appointment' fee of £30 for one, £40 for two or £50 for a group of up to four seen together. This is to cover our professional time, room-cleaning time in between appointments, rent and other admin costs. (We are not a 'drive-through' or a postal service). There are cheaper alternatives, see below for links.
What we do offer is a flexible and professional service, with nasal and throat swabs carried out by a doctor or nurse, individualised monitoring of tests in progress and forwarding/uploading of all lab reports and a 'fit-to-fly' letter confirming that we have checked your symptom history, temperature and photographic ID.
The lab we use is The Doctors Laboratory in London, which despite the logistical challenges, provides us with an excellent service, with results currently expected back by 6 p.m. the following day, if the sample is taken before the lab courier collection times of 14:00 on a weekday and 12:00 on a Saturday. If you need a test more urgently, please see other providers listed towards bottom of page.
Please note that neither the lab, nor we can guarantee that a result will be back by a certain time, nor be held responsible for delays beyond our control.
If you would like to enquire about a PCR test for travel, please first check the latest entry requirements for your destination vs the FCO website (search: FCO, entry, [country name], and COVID). Ultimately, this is the traveller's responsibility. You can then book yourself in** online or contact us for advice on the best time for an appointment.
Special cases and FAQs:
- Countries requiring a QR code, e.g. Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Oman: Yes, we can guide you through the PanaBIOS 'Trusted Travel' lab verification process, which is compatible with our service.
- Hong Kong: HK requires more COVID test certification than any other territory: no less than four documents from us are required. From August 2020 to early December 2021, we managed to assist 100% of our Hong Kong-bound clients to successfully travel, providing all the details required to meet the HK Government's strict requirements. However, since 21st December, Cathay Pacific, has decided to impose its own, 24-hour PCR test rule on passengers departing from the UK, which means an even tighter turnaround than the 48 hours window officially required by the HK Government (!) We do hope that the airline reviews its somewhat unrealistic rule soon for the sake of travellers on connecting flights from other parts of the UK. In the meantime, if travelling from Scotland, your only practical options now appear to be either to: a) try and book one of the limited same-day slots via Sorcha Biotech (see below), or b) travel to London / Manchester first and stay a night or two there just to get tested, before continuing with the international leg of your journey.
- Mainland China: The PRC stipulates that only only certain, 'approved' test providers may conduct the COVID tests for entry purposes. The only branch of these monopoly providers in Edinburgh is to be found here. (We tried several times to register ourselves with the Embassy, but received no reply).
- Antigen tests for Germany, Netherlands etc: Some countries are now requiring an additional antigen (e.g. lateral flow) test within 24 hours of arrival. We do not offer this service, partly because we do not have the space or manpower to accommodate and supervise waiting patients a half-an-hour interval. Try Newington Pharmacy or Express Test at the Airport (see below).
- USA: Effective from 6th December 2021, the US authorities now require all travellers to obtain a 'viral test’ taken within one day' of travel. There is only one commercial lab in Scotland offering a same-day PCR turnaround service (see Sorcha Biotech below). The US authorities do, however, now accept a lateral flow test for this purpose, so another option would be to simply arrange a lateral flow test, e.g. at Express Test at the Airport... If your flight is not first thing, you could even do this an hour or so before you check in. Newington Pharmacy also offer this service (see below for links).
- Other local pre-travel test providers:
- Citydoc (at Newington Pharmacy). Also offers lateral flow (antigen) tests.
- Express Test drive through service at the Airport. Efficient 24-hour service. However, you need to pay in advance (non-refundable) and the onus is on the client to log in to your account to check for your result: they do not email or text you to let you know when it is ready. They also offer lateral flow tests.
- Sorcha Biotech: this new lab in Cumbernauld is the first commercial lab in Scotland to offer SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests, in partnership with certain pharmacies across the Central Belt. They also offer same day turnarounds, and have QR codes as standard on their reports. However, they do have a quite limited capacity (3,000 per day max), so do book ahead!
- Testing for suspected symptoms or contacts of someone with COVID-19: TrExMed Travel Clinic is a so-called 'clean clinic', i.e. we do not usually see any sick patients, nor knowingly provide PCR tests for anyone with current or recent symptoms. Please seek a test via the usual NHS service (see www.nhsinform.scot)
© Jim Bond, 31st March 2022
