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Frequently Asked Questions

Home Test Kits - NEXT DAY Free Delivery

AN IDEAL WAY TO RECEIVE YOUR TEST KIT ANYWHERE IN THE UK, DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME OR HOTEL. INCLUDES FREE DELIVERY. ORDER BY 2pm FOR SAME DAY DISPATCH (Monday to Friday).

How quickly will I receive my Home Test Kit?

If you order your Home Test Kit before 2pm during the week (Monday to Friday), you will receive it the next business day. We normally send it by Royal Mail Tracked 24. Please note that if you place an order on a Saturday or Sunday you will get it on Tuesday. We will always do our best to get the kit out to you as quickly as possible.

What is in my test kit?

For every test you need, we will provide you a clearly labeled kit. A home delivered kit will be marked with your name and the type of test. For all our kits, we strongly advise you to not swap any item from one kit to another as we have carefully registered each kit. It will contain the swab, the swab transport tube, a plastic bag for the tube, simple user instructions, a Test Activation Form (which should remain in the box) and a security seal for you to firmly close the kit and post it back to the laboratory (by dropping it into a Royal Mail postbox marked 'Priority Postbox' - free return).

Are your RAPID antigen lateral flow tests official?

Yes. We only supply and use officially listed kits as required by Public Health England (PHE). They are CE marked and have the very high sensitivity and specificity needed to be on the official list of approved devices.

What happens if I am not at home when my kit arrives?

There is section on the online form where you can add a SAFEPLACE. This will allow the postman to leave your kit at your property, if you are not in, at your safeplace. You will not need to sign for it. 

What if something is missing from my kit?

In the very unlikely event that something is missing, like the swab or transport tube, from the kit, please contact us immediately for a free replacement kit. Be aware, we will dispatch the replacement kit immediately but do factor in the loss of time (minimum 24 hours) when making your travel plans.

Test Centres - Click & Collect - SAME DAY Collection

AN IDEAL WAY TO GET HOLD OF YOUR TEST KIT THE SAME DAY YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER FROM ANY LOCAL TEST CENTRE. ORDER AND PICK UP WITHIN AN HOUR! (Monday to Sunday, subject to local availability).

What should I bring to the Test Centre?

When you visit a Test Centre, you must bring with you the following:

Whilst in the Test Centre, please follow all health and safety precautions such as wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance.

Why should I use a Test Centre rather than a Home Test Kit?

The key advantage is that you can place an order online using our Click & Collect service and then immediately visit a Test Centre to pick up your kit, subject to local availability. You can collect your kit anytime during the 'Click & Collect'. This way, you will save at least 24-hours over our home delivery service, which is very useful, especially if you need a Fit-To-Fly / Pre-Departure test (both RAPID lateral flow and PCR are available) or you have made a last minute travel booking.

Can someone help me take the swab in a Test Centre?

All our Test Centres provide the Click & Collect service. This is essentially picking up your ordered kits to take home and self-test using the simple enclosed instructions. If you feel unsure about how to take the test, all Test Centres will have a trained member of staff who will be able to provide you with help and guidance to take your test onsite, as required.

Some Test Centres are fully registered to actually do the test for you by trained staff. If for any reason you definitely will not be able to do the test yourself, tick the box in our Test Centre search facility to only show locations that will take the swab for you. There are only a few at the moment as we slowly expand this service.

Am I allowed to leave my home to visit a Test Centre?

Yes, you can come to any Test Centre, even during the 10 day quarantine period, to either collect your kit or carry out your test for travel purposes. Whilst in the Test Centre, please follow all health and safety precautions such as wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance.

Results

PCR Tests - When will I get my results?

Home Test Kits: Within 24 hours from the arrival of your returned sample at the laboratory.
Test Centre - Click & Collect Service: Within 24 hours from the arrival of your returned sample at the laboratory.

RAPID Lateral Flow Tests - When will I get my results?

This requires you to indicate the result and take a photograph of the test-cassette showing you the result. We will provide instant confirmation of the declared result followed by, once one of our checkers has examined your photograph of the test-cassette, a verified result in the form an SMS text message and email with an attached official certificate of the result. The verification normally takes 4 hours, maximum 24 hours. 

Do you send results on weekends?

Yes. Results are being produced by the laboratory 24-hours, 7 days a week. As a provider, National Covid Testing sends out the certificates of the results several times throughout the day, including weekends and bank holidays.

Orders - General

When will I get my Day 2 RAPID lateral flow or Day 2 and Day 8 PCR Home Test Kits?

You can book these before you leave the UK, or before entering/returning to the UK. As you will give us your date of entry into the UK beforehand, we will time the shipping of the kits to arrive on Day 1 or Day 2 to your home or hotel. Day 0 is the day of your arrival in the UK.

When should I do my test before travelling?

This depends on two factors:

1. Whether the foreign country you are travelling to requires a PCR or RAPID test to enter
2. The number of hours the foreign country requires the testing to be done before entering their border, e.g. 48 or 72 hours

Using our Pre-Departure (Fit-To-Fly) tests to leave the UK for countries requiring a PCR test

Most countries require a PCR test within 72 hours prior to you boarding your flight/ship/train. Based on this, we advise you to calculate the time back from the day of your departure. For example, you are departing on late Friday night (latest time): you will need to take your swab on Wednesday morning (earliest time). Your airline and destination will have their own requirements. It is therefore important to check with your airline/travel agent the requirements and take your test within the suggested time frame.

Using our Pre-Departure (Fit-To-Fly) tests to leave the UK for countries requiring a RAPID test

Check if the foreign country requires you to take your Pre-Departure (Fit-To-Fly) test 48 or 72 hours before departing the UK. The big advantage of doing this RAPID test is that you can get your result very quickly. The test takes as little as 15 minutes and an official certificate is issued in a few hours (we verify the result first).

For Home Test Kits

Order your kit several days in advance. Then you can easily carry out the test 72 hours before departure. Remember, you have to send the kit back to the laboratory, it needs to be tested and, the result emailed to you. Therefore we strongly advise you to carry out your swab test and post it immediately ON THE DAY THE KIT ARRIVES MAKING SURE YOU POST IT ONE HOUR BEFORE THE LAST ROYAL MAIL COLLECTION TIME AT A NEARBY ‘PRIORITY-POSTBOX’ to avoid any potential delays.

For Test Centres - Click & Collect Service

You can visit and pick up your test kit as soon as you receive your email confirmation of the order placed. You will receive an Order Number by email which will also act as your Booking Reference Number (if applicable for Day 2 / Day 8 tests) to complete your Passenger Locator Form. Take this Order Number during the published ‘Click & Collect Times’ to a locally available Test Centre which you will have searched for before placing your order. YOU DO NOT NEED AN APPOINTMENT for any Test Centre (wait and be served). If for any reason they have ran out of test kits, please feel free to attend another Test Centre. Your Order Number allows you to go to ANY Test Centre.

What is your refunds policy?

If you have purchased a Fit-To-Fly PCR/RAPID test or Return-To-UK RAPID test and the kit HAS NOT been shipped out from our company, a full refund will be issued with no administration charge. Please notify us by sending an email to support@nationalcovidtesting.co.uk

If you have purchased a Fit-To-Fly PCR/RAPID test or Return-To-UK RAPID test and the kit HAS been shipped out from our company, there will be a £15 cancellation/admin fee. Please notify us by sending an email to support@nationalcovidtesting.co.uk

If you have purchased any combination of a Day 2, Day 8 or Day 5 Test-To-Release test kits, this will mean we have issued you a Passenger Locator Form number (which is the Booking Reference Number). Unfortunately, we CANNOT issue you a refund once this has happened (see below). If your travel plans have changed and you are coming to the UK at a different date you can use the same issued Booking Reference Number for when you do come. Make sure you contact and inform us of you new dates so as we can update UK Border Agency and help you as required.

If you have purchased any combination of a Day 2, Day 8 or Day 5 Test-To-Release test kits, and the kit HAS NOT been shipped out from our company, we have the right to either send you a replacement kit as soon as possible or offer a partial refund if you have notified us in good time. Please notify us by sending an email to support@nationalcovidtesting.co.uk

Can I change my booking?

Yes. If you have to change your date of your flight, or take another flight for any reason, please contact us and we will help you. The Booking Reference Number (used for the Passenger Locator Form) issued to you is unique to you and can be used anytime (only once).

Testing Requirements

What tests do I need to enter/return to the UK?

The UK government changed all the requirements for entry recently. It now depends on whether you are fully vaccinated or not. Also, this is assuming you are coming from a Non-Red country. All Red country travellers into the UK must book a managed hotel quarantine.

This website is designed to simplify the very complicated system of deciding what tests are necessary for travellers leaving and entering the UK, by using our simple WHAT IS YOUR TRAVEL PLAN?

What testing do children require?

For Pre-Departure (Fit-To-Fly). This depends on the country you are travelling to. Generally, most countries do not require testing for the very young (ages vary). Please double check and purchase the test if required from our site.

For returning to the UK. All children aged 11 to 17 years need proof of a negative Covid-19 test before entering the UK. For children aged 10 years or under, no such proof is required.

We supply Return-To-UK RAPID test kits which you can take with you abroad, do the test just before returning, get a certificate by email and, you will be back without the stress of having to look for a testing facility abroad. These tests are easy to carry out, requiring only a nasal swab, and are provided with clear instructions including access to a video to help you.

Day 2 and Day 8 Testing. Children aged 4 and under do not need to take a test.

Test-To-Release Day 5 Test. Children of all ages must take the test if adults in the same household are taking part in the scheme.

What is the Test-To-Release Day 5 scheme?

This is optional for all unvaccinated travellers. The Test-To-Release scheme involves a PCR test taken on day 5 after your arrival with the purpose of releasing you early from your 10 day quarantine. 

More information on the Test-To-Release scheme can be found on the government website.

Please note even if you test negative through the Test-To-Release scheme and finish your quarantine early, you still need to take your Day 8 test.

I am staying in the UK for less than 8 days, do I still need to book Day 2 and Day 8 Tests?

No. You only need to book a Day 2 test (RAPID lateral flow test for vaccinated and PCR test for unvaccinated travellers respectively).

About National Covid Testing

Who is National Covid Testing?

We are a well established team of NHS professionals, working in the field of general practice, based in the East Midlands, UK. We have a long history of providing high quality medical care and travel services for all our patients, which we are extending to assist in the form of Covid-19 testing for the general population.

Is National Covid Testing officially registered?

Yes. We are a fully UKAS accredited provider (number 23132) as well as being officially listed with the UK Government (DHSC). These registrations are legally necessary for all providers of Day 2, Day 8 and Day 5 Test-To-Release Covid-19 testing services.

 

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