Huge travel boost as Covid-19 saliva-based test launched – 24-hour test costs £89

Doctor says weekly covid tests are ‘colossal waste of money’

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Halo has launched a ‘Day 2 and 8’ testing service for international arrivals in the UK. The tests cost £89 each and include door-to-door courier and pick-up.

Travellers arriving into the UK from holiday destinations don’t have to go through the uncomfortable swap procedure anymore or book an appointment with a medical professional.

Biotechnology company Halo has developed an innovative saliva-based test that will make things much easier for Britons that return from holiday this summer.

The company said that they are the first “Day 2 and 8” tests available in the UK to be saliva-based.

It will have a cost £89 each and will include delivery and pick up.

The test will take 24-hour from arrival at the lab, and travellers can use an app to check the results.

Under the Government’s new traffic light system, arrivals from green list destinations need pre-departure and return tests on day two.

Those returning from amber countries also need a test on day eight.

The new PCR test means a major change as UK travellers do not need to go through the invasive nasal swab procedure anymore.

Halo explained that “saliva is the gold standard sample for COVID-19 testing, compared to uncomfortable and technically challenging nasal swabs.

“It’s a safe, accurate, affordable, and painless way of collecting samples for COVID-19 testing.”

Founder and chief executive at Halo, Jonathan Biles, said: “With our new Day 2 and 8 test service, we will provide British travellers with a painless, safe, reliable and cost-effective way to approach travel.

According to Halo, scientific evidence supports that saliva sampling avoids the false positives that swabs can sometimes cause.

Following the test, users can track their progress via the Halo app and get notified when the results are ready.

Travellers also receive a verification certificate which can be downloaded for proof of test.

“With a test success rate of over 99 percent, our own first-class lab at Imperial College London and a UK-based customer support team operating 24 hours a day seven days a week, we pride ourselves on offering the most complete, best-value testing service available.”

Halo also claims to be one of the most economical options in the UK.

At the moment, there are three different types of test available.

Lateral flow tests

They are cheap and give quick results but with limited accuracy.

LAMP tests

Halo uses saliva samples as opposed to nasal swab. The results are often available within 90 minutes. They can also detect the virus before symptoms develop, reducing the risk of infection to others.

RT-qPCR tests

They are most expensive but more accurate and the samples need to be processed at the laboratory.

Halo uses saliva samples for PCR tests. The results are available under 24 hours.

Passengers can now book a saliva-based test when coming back from their next holidays.

Source: Read Full Article