Tuesday 13th April 2021

Randox Covid-19 PCR Tests Reduced to £60 for Overseas Travel

Randox, the UK’s largest Covid-19 PCR testing provider, today announced their support for UK holidaymakers seeking trips overseas by reducing the cost of PCR tests to support travel to £60 per test.  Currently PCR tests can cost from £100 each, and often much more.

This announcement comes hot on the heels of the Department for Transport’s plans to open-up overseas travel, potentially from as early as 17^th May, but dependent on PCR testing pre-departure and on return. Specific PCR testing requirements will be based on the grading of destination countries within a green, amber and red traffic light system.

Last week UK transport secretary Grant Shapps sought to lower the cost of coronavirus testing to help encourage foreign holidays this summer – and Randox have led the response.

Dr Peter FitzGerald, Randox Managing Director said;

“In recognition of the needs of both the travel industry and the British public at this unprecedented time, Randox will reduce the all-inclusive cost of PCR testing for those in the UK undertaking international travel to £60 per test. We can see the pressures faced by the both the travel industry and the general public and are committed to effective and economical testing to support holidaymakers and those undertaking international travel.

The £60 PCR test is based on a testing kit ordered, on-line, for home sample collection with the sample returned to the laboratory for testing.  The cost is inclusive of VAT and logistics.   In order to achieve the £60 price, which is limited to those undertaking international travel, purchasers will need to apply a discount code which can initially be obtained from airlines when booking travel.

Those passengers wishing to order a Randox PCR COVID-19 home test should visit: https://www.randoxhealth.com/covid-19-home-testing-kit/

Randox have been active in Covid-19 testing since early 2020, and currently have the largest Covid-19 testing network within the UK.

Background Notes

The Department of Transport report, produced by the Global Travel Taskforce and released on 9^th April, shows how international travel could resume from 17 May 2021 at the earliest, in an accessible and affordable way. This includes the removal of the permission to travel form – meaning passengers would no longer need to prove they have a valid reason to leave the country.

The UK is a global leader in genome sequencing, which in positive cases allows the identification of variants of concern.

The risks posed by these variants remain significant, and restrictions for inbound passengers, such as 10-day managed quarantine, home quarantine, and stringent testing will remain in place – but will apply to people differently depending on whether the destination visited is categorised as ‘green’, ‘amber’ or ‘red’.

Green: arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on or before day 2 of their arrival back into the UK – but will not need to quarantine on return (unless they receive a positive result) or take any additional tests, halving the cost of tests on their return from holiday

Amber: arrivals will need to quarantine for a period of 10 days and take a pre-departure test, and a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 with the option for Test to Release on day 5 to end self-isolation early

Red: arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for ‘red list’ countries which include a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day 2 and 8

Testing remains an essential part of protecting public health as restrictions begin to ease – with all arrivals who are not exempt required to book a pre-departure, day 2 and day 8 test before travelling.

For further information on our £60 PCR test 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