Hi. I’ve been invited to stay for Christmas by my friends in Zimbabwe and I think I’ll need to do this test. I’m hearing I have to go private for this, and they are showing up as so expensive, especially as I need a certificate at the end of it. One place is charging £145!
Can anyone tell me of a local place to go to?
All I can say is yes they said on the news they’d be expensive (>£100)… I thought you needed them on the way back: isolate for 5 days, take a test, if -ve then you’re free to resume normal Tier2 life. I guess some airlines need them before you fly too?
But Zimbabwe sounds fab - I hope it works out!
The dental surgery on Perry vale are heavily advertising the fit to fly tests, no idea on cost though.
Just checked and its £125
I hate to pour cold water on what sounds like a wonderful opportunity but have you read the foreign office advice for travel to Zimbabwe? If not I would recommend you do so as there are several other issues apart from needing a negative covid test certificate issued within 48 hours of your arrival which may affect your proposed trip.
Thanks for this Christine. I’ve read it…so from what I can gather, I have to have another covid test in Zimbabwe before flying back to the UK? There aren’t any other tests though, that I have to do before I fly there from the UK?
Hi Georgia. There are no other tests required except for another covid test before you leave Zimbabwe.
However I wondered if you were aware of the following:
The UK government is advising against all non essential travel to Zimbabwe based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks there.
Even with a negative covid certificate you will still be required to self isolate for 14 days after arrival in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe only opened their borders and airports to tourists on Tuesday, and there are currently no direct flights between UK and Zimbabwe so you will need to transit through another country and therefore will need to check if there are any additional requirements for transitting that country too.
Zimbabwe is still in "Indefinite lockdown and so even after 14 days self -isolation you are required to stay at home except to buy essential food or medicine, or seek essential healthcare.and there is a curfew between 10pm and 6am!
Make sure you have at least 6 months validity on your passport and three blank pages left in it to enable you to enter Zimbabwe and exit via one of the neighbouring countries, if leaving at short notice becomes necessary. You will need to obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe for which they will charge you US$55 which you’ll need to pay for in $ cash.
And you will need to self isolate for another 14 days when you return to UK. Although I’ve heard mention of this being cut down if you get a negative covid test after 5 days.
Bless your heart Christine, thank you.
You’re welcome - sorry it sounds pretty negative but thought you should be aware of everything before you make a decision!
I just had to check out the new guidance for arrivals in the UK myself. They are described here. You can pay for a test after five full days in the UK. If it is returned with a negative result you are stop self-isolating. When you can stop will be largely reliant on the speed at which the lab processes the test and reports back to you. And you cannot use a Serco/NHS test for this process.
Based on the FCDO guidance for Zimbabwe you would not be able to obtain travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
Likewise sorry to be the bearer of bad news. As an expat myself I know the strong desire to reconnect with family overseas.
Thanks for that Starman. I didn’t think of it being on a separate notice. I would have expected it to be on the reentry to the UK details. Perhaps it’s becasue it doesn’t start until December 15th!
Gatwick airport charging £60