Testing Times - COVID, PCR tests and quarantine
Thankfully another Travel Counsellor put me in touch with Epistem in Manchester, and possibly the 2 nicest guys in science: Ben and Richard. Calm, reassuring and professional. I was actually guided to one of their partners Covid Smart in Heywood so that I could have the test done at a clinic, and then have it speeded to the to the lab for analysis.
Despite feeling that I was in good hands, my nerves were frayed all week: Would I get the result in time? Would it be positive? ..... which is bad news in the world of COVID! What if I couldn’t go on the trip?
I rationalised that if it turned out that I had COVID, whilst sad that I’d miss the trip, it was good that I knew before travelling and spreading the virus. But fingers crossed.
It was an early start for my 7:30am test in Heyward, but then done and dusted in a matter of minutes. All carried out in a gazebo in the clinic carpark!
Pretty much 12 hours later, the email I needed landed confirming that I was COVID free at the point that the test had been taken. But a COVID test result wasn’t the only thing which could thwart my plans…. What if the NHS Test and Trace service called to advise that I’d been on contact with somebody else who had COVID? Panic, a call from an unknown number “May I speak to Louise Hunt?” ..... oh no, it’s Test and Trace, I’ll need to isolate.... but it wasn’t!
So I made it all the way to Heathrow, clutching half a dozen printed copies of my test result to wave at anybody who might be remotely interested! The paperwork was verified at check in, and then I started to relax. It looked like I’d make it to the plane. I needed a calming glass of wine at Gordon’s Plane food, and then to be honest the flight was just a flight. I wore a mask, I drank gin, I watched films and I snoozed. The BA crew was friendly, yet firmly enforced all COVID protocols.
Barbados airport has implemented machines to assist with immigration, with the officers looking at passports through the glass…. No stamp in my passport this time though! There was however a queue for the COVID paperwork checking and advice counter, but thankfully, we had a VIP meet and greet service which whisked us through as quickly as possible. After a shower and a glass of rum punch, I started to think that there would be worse places in the world to h ave to isolate, than with stunning sea views and palm trees. Until we’d had the second test, I was not permitted on the beach, in the sea or in the hotel pool.
Thankfully our private COVID test which was taken at the hotel was turned around the same day, so additional worry was minimised. After the clear test in Barbados, we were free to swim in the sea, explore the island and eat out some of the fabulous restaurants.
Similar to the UK, when you move around, you wear a mask, but when you are seated to dine, or lounging on your sunbed, the mask is not required.
Was it worth it the stress? Absolutely
