Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

On Tues I spent an hour indoors with someone who has told me today they have tested positive. I'm double jabbed, so don't need to isolate, right? And no point getting a PCR as it is too soon after contact to show a result?

I'm double jabbed, so don't need to isolate, right?

That's my understanding too. I might be more likely to isolate just in case if I'd been especially close to them but I can work from home etc.

And no point getting a PCR as it is too soon after contact to show a result?

Allegedly 3-5 days after exposure it about right. Perhaps break out a batch of LFTs?

Sit rep, day 10: Nasal congestion has passed but my head still feels congested if that makes any sense? Head and face feel hot all the time and still have pressure behind my eyes that builds into a stonking headache throughout the day. Lost sense of taste and smell 4 days ago which is so strange, genuinely can't smell or taste anything. Silver lining is I'll stop gorging on Crosstown doughnuts I guess because what's the point. Energy levels are still rock bottom.

My partner's lows were worse than mine but she snapped out of it after a week. I think part of the reason this has dragged on for me is that I've not been able to properly rest; my boss and her boss have both been on annual leave these past couple of weeks; nobody else to cover so I've not been able to stop working completely. I can manage about a third of a day's actual work but I'm still keeping an eye on things the rest of the day.

I could do an LFT but again, a bit early to give an accurate result.

Wasn't particularly close to him, same room but no hugging etc :)

I've not been able to properly rest; my boss and her boss have both been on annual leave these past couple of weeks; nobody else to cover so I've not been able to stop working completely. I can manage about a third of a day's actual work but I'm still keeping an eye on things the rest of the day.

Sorry for being blunt, but this strikes me as idiotic. This is a deadly illness with potentially life changing long term impact.

Sod your job and look after you health.

Agree. Tell work you have Covid and that you will not be working until you recover as fully as possible. If you're struggling to manage a couple of hours, you shouldn't be working at all.

Wow, I fully agree with Matt!

You're all absolutely right, I'm an idiot and shouldn't be working. However, as with most things, it's not as straightforward as "I've got covid, I'm out". Both the people I'm covering for are on leave because of the loss of close family members (not covid related) and I really don't want to rope them back in. This isn't me trying to be a hero or some shit, it's a judgement call I made thinking 'I'm young, healthy, double-jabbed, it's August so relatively quiet, I'm sure I'll be fine to just muddle through'.

Clearly it's been the wrong call and I should have gone to other people in the business to find support. I'm on leave from tomorrow for 10 days and if I'm still not right after that I will say so and not come back until I'm well.

Stuck on the motorway near Romsey for 40 minutes, due to queues and congestion getting into Paulton's Park...

Peppa will be worth if

Meanwhile, I'm trying to help my dad go to visit family in Korea.

Korea's embassy information page is rubbish, but it says:

Travelers must have a medical certificate showing the negative result of a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. LAMP, NAAT, NEAR, PCR, SDA, and TMA tests are accepted.

UK travel guidelines suggest the following:

All foreign nationals arriving in South Korea are required to provide a negative PCR test declaration, issued within 72 hours of departure. All foreign arrivals, regardless of their point of departure, are required to be tested for COVID-19 on arrival in South Korea

So Korea say the test has to be taken within 72h, Gov website says test declaration within 72 hours.

So the only safe thing is to do the test comfortably within 72 hours. Dad is planning to leave at 5:30pm from Southampton to Korea with connecting flight in Amsterdam so test taken on Friday evening.
The connecting flight is then an issue, does his certificate need to be 72 hours for his connecting flight between Amsterdam - Korea, or is it considered one trip?

We had a PCR test booked for him on Saturday, but he's been emailed saying that the test centre is closed on Saturday outside their control, and they have offered slots on Friday or Sunday.
Sunday being a bit too close, in case there is an issue with the result coming back...

The connecting flight is then an issue, does his certificate need to be 72 hours for his connecting flight between Amsterdam - Korea, or is it considered one trip?

I'd assume the test has to be no more than 72 hours old at the point your dad lands in Korea, that is the case for some parts of the world.

Flew back to the UK today. There was a 200m queue leading to the actual immigration queue. Social distancing not possible. Feared the worst and girded myself for a really long wait but in the end, 90% of passengers were basically just waved through with no Covid paperwork checks so only took half an hour in the end.

If you have kids with you, you can jump the queue it seems.

Worth mentioning that BA checked our paperwork and wouldn't have let us board without neg tests and passenger locator form so maybe not such a shit situation if all airlines are doing that. That said, still not very much separation between red and amber/green passengers.

Korea does a covid test on arrival and holds you in the airport until clear.
I believe this is just to be allowed in the plane in the first place.
Total travel time is going to be about 15 hours.

Doing the PCR test on Sunday morning should be fine for all the potentially times, except very nervous that the test result won't turn up on Monday. Which doesn't give much time to get another test.

Yeah, we came back from France by ferry earlier this week, and checks at border control in the UK was pretty quick. Passenger locator form all in order electronically.

Departure took more time, but still not too bad.

Remember that it isn't annual leave if you are sick

Does anyone know if you can book a PCR test on a Saturday/Sunday/bank holiday Monday?

I was exposed on Tuesday evening, so having one today might be too soon to give an accurate result.

Have you googled the opening times of your nearest test centre? Waltham Forest says open everyday 8-8 so I’d assume that includes weekends and holidays.

As in use the internet search before asking on a bike forum.

Then come here as a last resort.

Sorry if I sound pissy, trying to fill out a passenger locator form.

That's a good idea. It might catch on.

"Both sites are open seven days a week 8am to 8pm and are pedestrian access only and easily accessible without a car. You need an appointment and should book via the national system."

trying to fill out a passenger locator form.

My condolences

Who are you using for your post return pcr test?