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NEWS & OFFERS: Why you can’t use a 3 hour PCR for day 2, 50% off gadgets BA Highlife, IHG 5 x points, Japan closes border

Why you can’t use a 3 hour PCR for day 2 testing

Since the announcement that day 2 tests need to be a PCR test from tomorrow, I have been questioned by many of people saying that you can use a 3 hour PCR test as a day 2. I had hoped that they would be acceptable to the government and that companies would start selling them as a day 2 test. However, until they are officially called day 2 tests, you can’t use them for that purpose. 

Fortunately, Collinson has officially clarified the situation and as I have said before, the rapid or 3 hour PCR tests can’t be used for day 2 tests at the moment. You can use them for entry into most countries that require a PCR. 

 

 

Up to 50% off gadgets BA Highlife

For Cyber Monday British Airways has up to 50% off selected gadgets. Fort example, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Wireless Earbuds E8 2.0
are now £150.00 but was £289.00. Or a Bitmore Luggage Scale is not £10.00 that was £20.00.

You can find the relevant offer page here. 

 

IHG 5 x points flash offer

IHG Rewards Club

IHG have a decent up to 25% off sale for Black Friday which lasts until 3 December. For Cyber Monday there’s an extra perk with 5x Points for IHG® Rewards member. A member who is already participating in the current 3X Promotion will be automatically registered for the 5X Promotion. If a member has not yet registered for the current 3X Promotion, and would like to participate in the 5X Promotion, they will need to register for either the 3X Promotion or for the 5X Promotion on or before 30 November 2021, 11:59 PM EST. 

Once registered for the 5X Promotion, a member will be able to earn 5X points on Qualifying Stays on or before 31 December 2021. Only one room per member per Qualifying Stay will be eligible for the applicable points If a member books more than one room on the same night, they will only receive points for the promotion on one room.

You can register for the promotion and see details about the sale here. 

 

Japan closes border

Tokyo MT fuji
Tokyo

Although Japan was not open to most people from the UK anyway, it had been making moves towards gradually relaxing border controls for certain types of travelers from “safe countries” However, since the discovery of the new Omicron variant, they have now announced that they will close to all foreign travellers from 00.01 Tuesday (30 November).

The government spokesperson said “These are temporary, exceptional measures that we are taking for safety’s sake until there is clearer information about the Omicron variant”.

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6 comments

  1. Makes no sense; the ‘regular’ day two test can be taken on day zero, it’s just the speed of result that is different. Either insist the test is taken ‘on’ day two or be open and admit the strategy is codependent on no symptoms developing while you wait [for the result] (hence not wanting ‘rapid’ results).

    Keeping a swab in the lab a bit longer won’t change the result.

    1. The specifity and sensitivity of the tests are different and the variant analysis can only be done on PCR tests.

      I would assume the Day 2 regulation is because there is no universal requirement for pre travel testing from foreign countries, the latest the virus will appear is within 3 days of infection (Day 2) – hence the time period.

      1. Just reread and actually point is normal PCR Vs quick PCR but I assume this is to do with variant typing – which is an extra analysis step, probably not doable within 3 hours …

  2. The Rapid PCR test uses a slightly different method, which the Gov hasn’t certified for Day 2 or 8 tests. Most countries don’t care as long as it’s a PCR/LAMP, but the UK has been highly specific in the test requirements, so they will need to adjust those to allow it

    1. Thanks Jon. Hopefully they’ll allow it if they can get what they need from a rapid test. My concern is the testing companies being overwhelmed and people being stuck isolating espy as we get close to Christmas. Hopefully it may all go back to the usual tests by then.

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