Getting Cleared for Take-Off: Everything You Need To Know To Travel in 2021

Getting Cleared for Take-Off: Everything You Need To Know To Travel in 2021

Getting Cleared for Take-Off: Everything You Need To Know To Travel in 2021

If you’re planning on travelling abroad soon, you’ll likely need a ‘Fit to Fly’ certificate. Due to the pandemic, many countries still require a valid travel certificate with a negative test result to confirm that Covid is not present in your body on entry. Fortunately, you’re in the right place – Handstations can provide you with an approved Covid ‘Fit to Fly’ test. With this method, you take a simple nasal swab sample in the comfort of your home following instructions from CertiFLY app from the Apple App Store. The app is an AI app and automatically verifies your test results without the need of a medical professional, meaning as long as you have internet access on your device you can test anywhere in the world 24/7 365 without the need of a pre booked appointment. The app creates a fit to fly certificate in real time. This app then acts as your digital ‘Fit to Fly’ negative antigen test certificate.

Travelers can purchase a fit to fly antigen self-test kit service here to allow travel abroad and use it to re-enter the UK.

 

Travel Testing Rules Before 4th October

Getting back into the UK is increasingly tricky nowadays. From mid-February 2021, all UK inbound passengers have been required by law to carry out two Covid ‘Fit to Fly’ tests — one in the first two days of entry, followed by another test eight days after arrival. This tougher regimen was introduced to prevent new variants of the Coronavirus from entering the country; if you receive a negative result in either test, you will not be permitted to end the isolation period early.

Of course, we still have solutions for passengers who desire a speedier exit from isolation. You will need to successfully pass a Test to Release scheme, which involves an additional test conducted on the fifth day after arrival. Our partner can provide this kit, but it must be purchased in addition to the mandatory day 2 and day 8 tests.

 

Travel Testing Rules from 4th October

From 0400 am on Monday 4th October, the rules around international travel will change. In summary:

  • There will now be two travel lists: RED LIST (travel not allowed) and REST OF THE WORLD (travel allowed)
  • 8 destinations removed from the RED LIST, including Pakistan and Turkey
  • UK Government will recognise full vaccination status from 17 additional countries
  • Rules around testing will change

From October 4th, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a pre-departure test when returning to England. Then from the end of October, fully vaccinated passengers and those with an approved vaccine from a select group of non-red countries will be able to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test. This reduces the cost of tess on arrival into England.

Unvaccinated passengers from non-red list countries will still be required to take a pre-departure tests in addition to day 2 and day 8 PCR tests. Test to release will remain an option for unvaccinated passengers.

Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test via the NHS, at no additional cost to the traveller.

Travel from red list countries remain the same: All passengers must stay at a quarantine hotel at their own expense.

 

Why Use CertiFLY?

The benefits of our fit to fly rapid antigen self-test kit service include:

  • Approval for entry into the UK
  • Approval for use by the EU
  • Rapid certified results uploaded to the CertiFLY app within 1 hour
  • 8% diagnostic sensitivity and 97.1% specificity.
  • Gentle nose self-swab
  • CE-marked and MHRA registered
  • Secure QR-code certificate conveniently provided on the tested.me app

What is particularly appealing is the ease of use and non-invasiveness of this test; the Hughes swab technique pushes just one or two centimeters inside the nostril. To date, all other nasopharyngeal tests must be carried out by a GP and enter 9-10 centimeters deep into the nasal cavity, which is extremely uncomfortable for many patients. In addition, Hughes’ lateral flow test utilises a novel patented sensitivity enhancement system. Other cassettes employ colloidal gold, which is considerably less sensitive in detecting the CoV-SARS-2 antigen — that’s one reason why our partner’s system has such high accuracy across all specimens.

 

If you need peace of mind before making your travel plans, look no further than Handstations. The lateral flow rapid antigen test has passed through all the evaluation stages at the UK’s renowned Porton Down Laboratory and boasts clinically proven accuracy in identifying both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of Covid and all known variants. The test has also been validated by Public Health England; it carries a CE0123 mark and is registered with the WHO and FDA pending emergency use approval. This test is currently in use by the British, French, German, Spanish and Austrian governments, all UK airports, major airlines and pharmaceutical firms, as well as multiple corporates and distribution companies.

 

Everything the traveler needs for stress-free home testing

When we hear from prospective customers looking for a cheap PCR test for travel, it’s clear that there is still a lot of confusion and worries about the testing process. Flying is stressful enough already, and travelers say they value convenience as well as reasonable pricing and accuracy, since all the stories about false-positives have left people feeling exploited. Above all, though, the process itself is still shrouded in mystery for many. We frequently receive questions like “How do I book an antigen test near me?” Very often travelers are surprised to learn that it is not always necessary to visit a clinic in person; they can simply order a Covid home test kit and carry out the test privately within the four walls of their own home.

Customers are sent all the kit needed to self-swab simply, pain-free, in just 30 seconds. 

Most of us are excited about booking holidays abroad again. The good news is that home testing is fairly straightforward. However, you must review the conditions stipulated by the country you are flying to, in order to establish in advance just how much time you’ll need to get your ‘Fit to Fly’ certificate before departure. We always recommend ordering your Covid ‘Fit to Fly’ test well ahead of your flight. If you need to get a test result urgently, our home test kits may not be suitable for your circumstances because of the delivery time. In these cases, a physical visit to a nearby clinic may be your best shot. Pop-up test pods have opened all over the UK and are seeing thousands of patients daily.

Our Covid Travel Checklist

  • Check the government’s COVID-19 travel guide for up-to-date information
  • Read the government’s travel advice for each country, which fully details current testing requirements
  • If you’re re-entering the UK, check if your origin country is on the green-, amber- or red-list to see what type of test you’re required to take on arrival.
  • The Covid ‘Fit to Fly’ test process can be confusing, so get in touch with us at Handstations today if you have any questions

Order now

 

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