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As proof of a negative Covid-19 test result becomes essential for people travelling to an ever-growing list of countries, two Yorkshire businesses have teamed up to provide a quick and convenient solution.
Many countries now require a mandatory PCR test (showing a negative Covid-19 result) which is carried out 48-96 hours prior to departure.
Huddersfield based travel agency, Jetset Not Just Travel has partnered with Hull’s Atropa Pharmacy and Blood Clinic to provide a one-stop PCR testing and accredited certification service for its customers, who might otherwise be faced with the inconvenience of sourcing and arranging their own Covid-19 tests at very short notice.
Rachael Coyne, director of Jetset Not Just Travel, explained: “As more countries start to enforce local immigration restrictions, passengers travelling overseas face the prospect of requiring a PCR swab test and ‘fit to fly’ certificate to prove that they are Covid-19 free. This is a fast-moving situation with more countries regularly being added to the list.
“Teaming up with Atropa has allowed us to provide a quick and reliable solution to our customers who are due to travel imminently. It goes without saying that these are unprecedented times but, as a responsible travel company, we will always go the extra mile to help people enjoy their holidays safely and to be confident in the knowledge that they have the correct documentation in place.”
Atropa director Bryn Smales said: “By working with Jetset Not Just Travel to provide a bespoke PCR testing and certification service, we can help their customers look ahead to their trip safe in the knowledge that they are fit to fly.
“Our partnership with Jetset Not Just Travel will enable us to provide a one-stop PCR testing and accredited certification service for their customers. We are therefore delighted to be working alongside Jetset Not Just Travel to provide this service and help their clients enjoy a stress-free start to their holiday.”
A PCR swab test, sometimes called an antigen test, looks for signs of active virus in the body and will tell if a person is positive or negative for Coronavirus (Covid-19). The tests need to be processed between 3-5 days before the flight departure depending on the requirements of the country the person is travelling to. Atropa will offer advice to passengers regarding timings of tests in relation to flight times.
The test requires taking a swab from the throat and nose and this sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
With a fast turn-around, Atropa Pharmacy can return a PCR test result within 48 hours of receipt of the test by the laboratory. They will then issue the accredited documentation to prove if the person is Covid-19 free and fit to travel.
Under the partnership, Atropa will offer private testing from their new clinic in Hull and can also send a self-testing swab kit and instructions on how to use it to Jetset Not Just Travel clients who live further afield. It takes 24-48 hours to return the result once the laboratory receives the sample back. This result will be used to form the certification that is required to travel.
The test used is PHE (Public Health England) evaluated and shows a minimum sensitivity greater than 99% and a specificity of greater than 99% when the virus is on the swab with no cross-reactivity with other viruses.
Entry requirements for the country of travel can be found this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
