Is an antigen test sufficient to travel to England?
Posted: Mon 05 Apr 2021 13:57
You must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to England.
In theory, it seems that an antigen test could be sufficient. Here is a link and an extract from the Guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... to-england
“The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.
This could include tests such as:
a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device
It’s your responsibility to ensure the test meets the minimum standards for sensitivity, specificity and viral load details. You must check with your test provider that it meets those standards”.
The actual regulations state that result must include a statement “(i) that the test was a polymerase chain reaction test, or (ii) of the name of the device that was used for the test”
see https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/202 ... B/data.pdf
In theory, it seems that an antigen test could be sufficient. Here is a link and an extract from the Guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... to-england
“The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.
This could include tests such as:
a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device
It’s your responsibility to ensure the test meets the minimum standards for sensitivity, specificity and viral load details. You must check with your test provider that it meets those standards”.
The actual regulations state that result must include a statement “(i) that the test was a polymerase chain reaction test, or (ii) of the name of the device that was used for the test”
see https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/202 ... B/data.pdf