Randox supports Northern Ireland travellers to the Algarve with essential COVID-19 PCR ‘test-to-return’ service
Randox supports Northern Ireland travellers to the Algarve with essential COVID-19 PCR ‘test-to-return’ service
21st May 2021 – Randox supports Northern Ireland travellers to the Algarve with essential COVID-19 PCR ‘test-to-return’ service
The NI Executive has today announced that, from 24th May, travellers from Portugal to Northern Ireland must arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test. This varies from travellers to England, where a lateral flow test is also a possibility. Randox, the UK’s largest COVID-19 PCR testing provider, have recently announced that travellers to the Algarve will be able to purchase a COVID-19 “test-to-return” kit. In a first for the industry, NI holidaymakers will then be able to have their self-collected samples promptly flown from their holiday destination to Randox’s laboratories in Antrim for gold standard PCR testing. Results are emailed to the traveller ready in time for their flight home.
In response to high demand from British holidaymakers to visit Portugal, Randox has partnered with the largest laboratory chain in the Algarve to offer holidaymakers to the region this new quick and easy solution. Travellers simply purchase and take their ‘test-to-return’ kit to Portugal and, at their convenience, self-collect their sample 3 days before the return flight. Travellers drop their sample at one of the listed partner laboratory sites and samples are then flown to Randox’s testing facilities in Antrim. Customers receive their results the next day. The partner laboratory has many convenient sites across the Algarve, including at Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, Silves, Albufera, Loule, Faro, Olaho and Quartiera.
The PCR test-to-return service will be available to travellers returning on flights from the Algarve from the 7th June and will cost £60 per testing kit. As a package travellers from NI can also purchase from Randox PCR tests for pre-departure from the UK and the required Day 2 test on return.
Sophie Boyd, Randox Operations Manager, said;
“As the UK gradually opens up to international travel, we are delighted to be able to offer those visiting the Algarve the ability to have a fast and reliable PCR ‘test-to-return’ service, which means travellers have one less thing to worry about and can concentrate on enjoying their holiday. This is particularly relevant for travellers from Northern Ireland. Through our partner network we also have support for the traveller in the Algarve, should they need it.
“Randox is now able to process 500,000 tests a day for international travel – more than any other laboratory in Europe – and to date our laboratories have processed over 13 million tests. We are working hard to support the international fight against the pandemic by offering testing services that allow people to live their lives as normally as possible.
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
For further information on our COVID testing services please contact the Randox COVID Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit Randox Health.
Related COVID-19 Products and Services
HOME TEST
ANTIBODY TEST
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Randox launches new £60 Covid19 ‘test-to-return’ service for travellers to the Algarve
19 May 2021: Randox launches new £60 Covid19 ‘test-to-return’ service for travellers to the Algarve
Randox, the UK’s largest Covid-19 PCR testing provider, announces that from today travellers to the Algarve will be able to purchase a COVID-19 “test-to-return” kit. In a first for the industry, UK holidaymakers will then be able to have their self-collected samples promptly flown from their holiday destination to Randox’s laboratories in the UK for gold standard PCR testing. Results are emailed to the traveller ready in time for their flight home.
In response to high demand from British holidaymakers to visit Portugal, Randox has partnered with the largest laboratory chain in the Algarve to offer holidaymakers to the region this new quick and easy solution.
Travellers simply purchase and take their ‘test-to-return’ kit to Portugal and, at their convenience, self-collect their sample 3 days before the return flight. Travellers drop their sample at one of the listed partner laboratory sites and samples are then flown to Randox’s testing facilities in the UK. Customers receive their results the next day. The partner laboratory has many convenient sites across the Algarve, including at Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, Silves, Albufera, Loule, Faro, Olaho and Quartiera.
The PCR test-to-return service will be available to travellers returning on flights from the Algarve from the 7th June and will cost £60 per testing kit. This latest offering from Randox removes the stress of holidaymakers trying to find local providers with testing capacity, and adds to the company’s existing traveller focussed services, which include: Pre-Departure (From the UK); Test to Release (Day 5); Day 2 Testing (Green Countries); and Day 2 and Day 8 Testing (Amber countries).
Sophie Boyd, Randox Operations Manager, said;
“As the UK gradually opens up to international travel, we are delighted to be able to offer those visiting the Algarve the ability to have a fast and reliable PCR ‘test-to-return’ service, which means travellers have one less thing to worry about and can concentrate on enjoying their holiday. Through our partner network we also have support for the traveller in the Algarve, should they need it.
“Randox is now able to process 500,000 tests a day for international travel – more than any other laboratory in Europe – and to date our laboratories have processed over 13 million tests. We are working hard to support the international fight against the pandemic by offering testing services that allow people to live their lives as normally as possible.”
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of Covid-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
To book a Test to Return test please click here.
To book a Test to Return travel pack please click here.
For further information on our Covid testing services please contact the Randox Covid Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team on amy.millar@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit Randox Health.
Related COVID-19 Products and Services
HOME TEST
ANTIBODY TEST
TEST TO RELEASE
LABORATORY TOOLS
We Are Randox | Cristina Zenha in Randox Portugal celebrates 25 years with us
What makes Randox the successful, innovative and forward-thinking company it is today are the passionate, hard-working and talented staff we’re lucky enough to call our colleagues.
Our staff are our best asset and across every division our team help to save lives – whether it be designing the newest Biochip to test for Alzheimer’s disease, developing the latest software for use in hospitals and universities, making food safer for people to eat, or managing our global offices, to ensure our pioneering health technologies make their way across the world to where they are needed the most.
Our headquarters are in Northern Ireland, but we have teams based all over the world, including in Portugal, where Cristina Zenha works as part of the Portuguese Finance Team.
2017 is a special year for Cristina. It marks 25 years since she began her job with Randox.
We sat down with Cristina to ask her about her time with us, to find out how she thinks the company has changed during that time, and of course to congratulate her on her exciting milestone!
Here’s Cristina’s story.
My name is Cristina Zenha and I work in the Finance team in Randox Portugal in Oporto.
For those of you who don’t know the area, the weather is very good here in Oporto. It’s not very cold in winter, nor is it very hot in summer. It’s just right! During the summer I love going to the Algarve for my holidays. There are beautiful beaches and the weather is excellent, so it’s a very popular holiday destination for both the Portuguese and for tourists.
In Portugal, Randox is based in Oporto City, which as one of the oldest tourist destinations in Europe, has a wonderful artistic heritage. The Port Wine, the vast spaces dedicated to leisure and culture, and the relaxed way of life are just some of the reasons I would recommend visiting the city!
We also have excellent cuisine here in Portugal. Seafood is very popular and we have several famous cod recipes. In Oporto specifically, we have a very famous dish called Francesinha, which is a Portuguese sandwich made with bread, ham, fresh sausage and steak, covered with melted cheese and a hot thick tomato and beer sauce, and served with french fries.
Before I moved into the world of full-time work I worked in my parents’ grocery store, which sparked my interest in business. Then I began my first serious job in Randox Portugal when I was only 19 years old, and studied part-time Business Management in Oporto Lusiada University. I took my university classes in the evening to work around my job with Randox.
When I had my interview I had a really good feeling about Randox. I could tell that this company, which was only just beginning to establish itself in Portugal, was going to go far. I could see myself developing both personally and professionally in what was evidently a globally successful organisation. I knew I would learn a lot.
When I started my job with Randox in Oporto I was involved in processing orders, documenting stock, and organising customer invoices and receipts. However in the 25 years I’ve worked here, my job, and the office itself have evolved and changed. My current responsibilities have progressed to additionally include office finances and accounts, and I also manage the logistics of our site.
How we work in the team has also changed drastically. I remember when I first started in 1992 there were no computers so everything was done manually. I had a typewriter to make invoices, receipts and letters. We created manual maps for everything and we updated everything manually.
The team itself has more than doubled in size, in spite of a number of economic crises in Portugal during that period. The infrastructure in Randox, and its offering of highly innovative diagnostics has meant that demand for our products has continued to increase. We have a fantastically passionate team in place who all want to see the business succeed and everyone works together to bring next-generation healthcare to hospitals and laboratories across Portugal.
I think that’s one of the reasons I love my job so much. Each member of the team here has an important role to play and we each contribute to Randox’s vision of saving lives. It’s fast-paced and challenging, but that’s what I love. I like the structure in place and I enjoy the satisfaction that comes with resolving issues and contributing to increased sales and overall business success. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Randox. I know that the company will continue to grow and succeed and I feel privileged to be involved in its journey.
I want to say a big thank you to everyone with whom I have worked during my 25 years here at Randox. I love everyone I work with and you are such a big part of why I have loved my time here so much. I want to say a big thank you in particular to Bob Allan in Finance, who was one of the first people I met in Randox. He has always been on hand to support the work we do in the Portuguese office, and the way in which he made me feel so welcome and supported will always be one of my favourite memories of my first 25 years working in Randox.
Here’s to the next 25!
Cristina
Congratulations Cristina on your 25 year milestone with us here at Randox. You are a real asset to our global healthcare company and we are delighted to have you as part of our team!
For more We Are Randox stories about our amazing colleagues, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and follow the hashtag #WeAreRandox.
For current vacancies in our team, visit careers.randox.com
