Are you fit-to-fly? Testing before travelling

After more than a year of being pretty much contained between the same four walls, more and more of us are beginning to consider venturing abroad once more.

But what do we need to do to ensure that we can do so safely, without endangering ourselves, other travellers or the people of whichever country we choose to visit?

Whether you wish to travel for leisure, or for work – there is a requirement for COVID testing before you travel.

Follow the guidelines

The first and most important step is to keep up-to-date with the government’s COVID travel guidance. Whilst this can change, if you are booking ahead then it might be sensible to look for a country that has remained fairly consistently on the ‘green’ list, to avoid disappointment.

Get tested

Wherever you are travelling, the airline is likely to request that you can provide evidence of a negative COVID test.

This may seem like a hassle, but if you consider that you will be confined in a plane breathing the same air as a few hundred other people, you might feel reassured to know that every one of them has tested negative for COVID before boarding that flight.

The COVID PCR fit-to-fly certificate

However, to prevent NHS COVID testing centres being awash with eager travellers, these are still reserved for people who are actually experiencing symptoms.

If you need a test in order to travel, you will need to visit a specialist provider who can produce a COVID PCR fit-to-fly certificate. You will need to show this when checking in to your flight. This generally needs to be carried out within the 72-hour period before your flight. However, this can vary depending on the airline or the destination you are travelling to.

Where can I get my fit-to-fly certificate?

Here at The Mayfair GP we are on the government’s list of providers for private COVID testing. We offer the mandatory day 2 and 8 PCR testing as well as the day 5 test-to-release scheme. We can also provide you with a COVID PCR fit-to-fly certificate.

The Mayfair GP uses UKAS-accredited laboratories and our fit-to-fly certificates are valid for international travel.

How long will it take?

We know that most people don’t have a lot of time to spare in the run-up to a holiday. But we can offer all our patients home visits, so we can arrange to do the test at your home. We then get it couriered to the lab, while you get on with your packing. There are a selection of different test times ranging from 3 hours * to 24 hours. Contact us for more information.

We can also offer testing on your return to the UK, allowing you to return to normal life secure in the knowledge that you are fit and well.

To summarise we are currently offering the following:

1. Fit to Fly – turnaround times from 3hours to 24hours* different pricing for both
2. Day 2 and 8 mandatory testing for amber list countries + people who have not had both vaccines by the NHS
3. Day 5 Testing – test to release only
4. Day 2, 5, and 8, testing package – for amber list who have not had both vaccines
5. Day 2 testing – GREEN list
6. *Day 2 testing – amber list + have been fully vaccinated by the NHS (more than 14 days ago) – *effective from 4am 19th July

To book your COVID PCR fit-to-fly test and for further information and exact pricing, email us at info@TheMayfairGP.com.