Test To Release Coronavirus PCR
Reduce your self-isolation period with our Real Time (RT) PCR Covid-19 tests. Results available within 24 hours of reaching one of the UK’s leading laboratories.
The Test to Release for International Travel scheme is for people who need to self-isolate on arrival in England. The scheme is voluntary and applies to those self-isolating in England only. Please note this is not a Fit To Fly product.
Simply deposit your saliva into the collection tube provided and send to our certified partner lab for analysis.
Collection method:
Number of biomarkers tested: 1
£69.00
If you require more than 1 test, please complete the form and “add to basket” then repeat the process for each additional test.
Your kits will be delivered to the shipping address entered during checkout. If you require multiple shipping destinations you will need to place separate orders please.
More about this test
Book A Travel Test are a provider for 2 & 8 day kits for travellers arriving into England with full genome sequencing for positive results.
You can still use the Test to Release for international travel scheme. The scheme lets you choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test. If the result is negative for your Day 2 & Day 5 tests, you can stop quarantining.
24 hour Shipping (Guaranteed Next Day) now available
Please check the ‘travel bans to the UK‘ list before purchasing. When you arrive in England, you must travel directly to the place you’re staying and not leave until 10 days have passed.
Day 2 Test
You will need to take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 of your quarantine period. The day of arrival in England will be treated as day zero. This first test is designed to help identify any potentially harmful variants of COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity. Tests will be taken in your own accommodation.
-If you get a positive result from your day 2 test, you must quarantine for 10 days beginning the day after the test is taken and for the next 10 days after the test was taken (this means until day 13). Your household will also need to quarantine until day 13.
Day 5 Test
You cannot take a test to release test until you have been in England for 5 full days.
If you’re planning to use the Test to Release scheme, you must still take a test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8, unless you’re exempt. Even if you get a negative result from your Test to Release and are released from self-isolation, you still need to take a test on or after day 8 to check that you do not have COVID-19.
Day 8 Test
You need to take a COVID-19 test on or after day 8, unless you got a positive result from your day 2 test.
If you get a positive test result from your day 8 test you will need to quarantine until day 19. Your household will also need to quarantine until day 19.
Ending quarantine
If you’ve quarantined for 10 full days (where day 0 is the day you took the test or had symptoms) and received a negative result to both your day 2 and day 8 tests, and you are well, you may leave the place where you’re quarantining.
You can see if you can end your quarantine early through the Test to Release scheme, below.
Children under 5 do not need to take the day 2 or day 8 test
Leaving quarantine
If you’ve quarantined for 10 full days (where day 0 is the day you took the test or had symptoms) and received a negative result to both your day 2 and day 8 tests, and you are well, you may leave the place where you’re quarantining.
You can also end your quarantine early through the Test to Release scheme.
Once you leave quarantine, you must still follow the national restrictions that apply.
You will be sent three PCR sampling kits which include everything you need to take your sample and send to our testing laboratory with a postage paid mailing bag.
Kits will arrive by Royal Mail Tracked 24. A Royal Mail Tracked 24 return label is also provided with every kit for you to return to our centre unless you choose to purchase an upgrade to our DX Tracked Specimen Service drop-off (select “Express Shipping” in the checkout) which offers a guaranteed next day delivery for samples sent Monday – Friday. You can see all the DX locations here: https://bit.ly/38lB3sI
Each kit includes:
• Nasal & throat swab sample kit
• ISO 17025 UKAS accredited lab testing
• 24 hour results from sample being received at lab
• Email and text alerts to confirm your sample has arrived at the lab and when results are ready
• Royal Mail tracked 24 shipping labels
• Order by 3pm for same day dispatch Monday – Friday & 10am Saturday (excludes Bank Holidays)
Your tests will be sent separately in accordance with Government guidelines. Your Day 2 test will be dispatched the day before you arrive in the UK. It should arrive on Day 0, the day you arrive in the UK. You must take this test anytime between Day 0 (when you arrive in the UK) and Day 2 of your quarantine.
We will dispatch your Day 5 & Day 8 test to you on the fourth day of your self-isolation. Your test kits should arrive on Day 5. If Day 5 falls on a Sunday, your kit will be dispatched on the Thursday for receipt by you on the following Friday.
Please note that we cannot send your tests earlier than this. You can, however, order your tests in advance prior to your arrival in the UK.
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How will the Test to Release system work?
If your country is not on the travel corridor list you will need to order your Test to Release kit if you wish to shorten your self-isolation period, subject to a negative result.
Day 1: Arrive in the United Kingdom. You need to go straight to your self isolation destination and follow the UK Government instructions.
Day 5: After 5 full days of self isolation you can now take your test. Follow the instructions and send back your sample using the provided postage paid mailing bag.
Day 6/7: Sample arrives at our partner laboratory for testing
Day 7/8: You will be notified by email and SMS text that your results are ready. If a negative result is returned, you are able to end your self-isolation period.
How do I take the test once I receive the kit?
Collect: Collect your sample by swabbing the back of your throat, then nose.
Send: Return your sample to the lab in the pre-paid return postage mailing bag.
How soon will I receive my results?
Results are available online within 24 hours from when your sample is received by the lab. We are not liable for any delays due to increased demand or delays with postage.
Is your laboratory safe and approved?
Our Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by RT-qPCR test is approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Our tests are performed by an ISO 17025 UKAS accredited lab supporting the NHS and healthcare industry. Check My Body Health are a gov.uk approved private test provider.
How do I send my sample?
You will be sent a PCR sampling kit which includes everything you need to take your sample and send to our testing laboratory with a postage paid mailing bag. Kits will arrive by post by Royal Mail Tracked 24. A Royal Mail Tracked 24 return label is also provided with every kit for you to return to our testing centre.
Please note that all PCR tests can only be returned using Royal Mail priority postboxes. Priority postboxes are listed on the Royal Mail website at https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you
You can select DX return shipping during checkout. This is charged at £10/kit.
Can I leave the house to return my swab sample?
You may leave your house to post your test or to travel directly to and from a testing site. You should follow safer travel guidance and avoid public transport if possible.
When should I take the test?
After 5 full days of self isolation you can now take your test. Do not take you test or send before otherwise you will void your test. Follow the instructions and send back your sample using the provided postage paid mailing bag. Samples should be sent to the lab the same day as you collect them. The test can only detect if you were infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the time you’ve collected your sample. The test does not check if you have been infected with the virus previously.
What is the NHS coronavirus helpline?
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
What results could your report tell me?
Your test results will be described as negative, positive or unclear.
Countries subject to bans on travel to the UK
The Test to Release scheme is not available to anyone who has been in or through any country that is subject to a travel ban in the 10 days before arrival in England.
If you arrive in England and have been somewhere that is subject to a travel ban during the last 10 days you must complete a passenger locator form and self-isolate along with members of your household.
Who do you notify if my result is positive?
All results of tests will be reported within 24 hours of them becoming available. We will hold this information for a period of one month in case the PHE need further information, after this time it will be deleted. If further clarification is required after this period we may need to request the information from you again.
Delivery Options
– Kits dispatched same day with Royal Mail if ordered before 3pm Monday – Friday & 10am Saturday (excluding Bank Holidays)
– Orders placed after 10am Saturday will be dispatched on the following Monday for delivery on Tuesday
Sample Return Options
You can choose any of the following:
- Free Royal Mail Tracked 24 (included)
- DX Tracked Specimen Drop-off (purchase at checkout for £10/kit)
- Arrange your own courier (at customer expense)
- Drop off to lab (at customer expense)
1. Royal Mail Tracked 24 (included with each kit)
A free Royal Mail Tracked 24 returns label is included with every covid-19 kit to return your sample to our laboratory. You must return your sample using a Royal Mail priority post box. Please check the postbox collection time to avoid delays. The tracked 24 service is intended for next day delivery but this is not guaranteed by Royal Mail. This can take 1-2 working days. Please take note of your tracking number to check on the delivery status of your returned sample.
Please note, we cannot be held responsible for delays out of our control or lost samples.
Due to current delays we recommend using this service only if returning Monday-Friday.
Samples returned on Saturday after 11am & all day Sunday are expected to arrive at the lab on the following Tuesday.
Please note that your test can only be returned using Royal Mail priority postboxes. Do NOT take to a Post Office as they won’t accept and it may delay your sample.
Find your nearest Priority postboxes at: www.royalmail.com/services-near-you
2. DX Tracked Specimen Drop-off (£10/kit)
Drop off your sample at any of DX sample return points. There are 55 points across the UK (some might require a booking in advance, please check here). Your sample will be collected from the drop box Monday to Friday and is transported to our lab overnight. Click here to find your nearest drop off location.
3. Arrange your own courier (at customer expense)
You can arrange your own courier to deliver your sample. The address for our lab is C/O Health Hub, Unit 6 Osyth Close, Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton NN4 7DY.
4. Drop off to our laboratory (at customer expense)
If it is safe and you are able to do so, you can drop your sample off to the laboratory.
Our opening times for sample drop off are: 7 days a week 9am – 6pm
At the entrance of the building is a yellow bin labelled ‘Covid tests’. Please place your sample in the bin and our regular sample collection will pick this up. You do not need to meet anyone to do this. During the weekend please press the bell next to the shutter to advise the team you you are dropping a Covid sample off before placing this in the yellow bin labelled ‘Covid tests’ at the entrance of the building.
The laboratory address is:
C/O Health Hub, Unit 6 Osyth Close, Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton NN4 7DY.
How it works
Choose your test
Choose the test you need and we’ll send the kit straight to your door. If you’re not sure which kit to order, you can use our test finder here.
Return your sample
Simply collect your sample at home and return to one of our fully accredited labs for expert analysis. You have a choice of several delivery options. Find out about them in the box below.
Get your results
Your results and accredited documentation will be delivered via email, text, and our secure online platform within days.
Your results
Once your sample has been analysed by our laboratory experts, your results will be collated into a clear, easy to understand report.
We always recommend sharing your report with your doctor or healthcare provider as supplementary information to your overall healthcare. Our tests are not intended as a substitution for professional medical advice and you should speak to your doctor if you are seriously worried in any way about your symptoms.
