Coronavirus PCR - Test to Release Day 5

All international arrivals to England who do not qualify as fully vaccinated under the fully vaccinated rules must quarantine for 10 days and are required to take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of their quarantine period.

This Day 5 test allows you to shorten your quarantine period (if the result is negative) by taking a PCR test on day 5 after your arrival in England.

This Covid-19 'Test to Release' product gives you the option to have a kit posted to your place of quarantine, or for quicker results, you can complete your Day 5 test at one of our stores conveniently located across London and the UK.

If you live within the M25, we can also arrange a certified phlebotomist to take your day 5 swab from your home or office. Or for convenience we can arrange a courier to drop off your test kit at your home and you can post it back after conducting the test. 

The PCR swab test itself is 100% sensitive in detecting the presence of the RNA of coronavirus and will pick up the presence of COVID-19 in your nose.

To qualify for the Test to Release scheme, simply follow the steps below:

1. Order this test before you are due to leave the UK and book your in-store appointment for the 5th day after your return to England. If you decide to take part in the scheme after you have arrived in England, you will need to complete another UK government passenger locator form.
2. During checkout you will have a choice of free shipping, home visit phlebotomy, courier delivery or an in-store booking. If you choose in-store testing, you will need to book your day 5 appointment on the system when you book.
3. On the purchase confirmation page, follow the link to register your test with us and complete your registration. You will also receive a purchase confirmation email with the link to register your test.
4. You will then be given a unique code to reference (e.g. LMLAB1234567) when you fill out your UK government passenger locator form before you arrive in the UK.
5. It is vital you register your test before entering the UK as the information is required for UK quarantine release and your appointment. Also if you do not register your test we are unable to process your test in the laboratory. 
6. If you do not receive your confirmation email after this booking, please check your spam or junk email before contacting us.
7. Your test result will then be sent to you via email as soon as it is available (next day*) and if coronavirus is not detected, you can end your quarantine.

Please remember to register your test before entering the UK to obtain your LMLAB code.

Please note you can only select one shipping option per order (e.g. postal or in-store). If you wish to have multiple shipping options (e.g. 1 x in-store + 1 x postal) you must make two separate orders/transactions.

When will I receive my results?

You should receive your test result the day after our lab has received your sample. For quicker results we recommend you are tested in-store.

It is vital you register your test as the information is required for UK quarantine release and not providing your details can cause delays.

For our full terms and conditions, please visit our Terms & Conditions for more information.

How do I select the free shipping postal test?

Selecting the free shipping option will result in a kit being posted to your place of quarantine. Please remember to register your test kit before posting it to us. 

1. Select the free shipping option during check out.
2. When you select the option the booking system will ask you on which day you wish your test kit to be posted to you. We recommend you select the day before or on the day you arrive in the UK so your kit arrives on day 0 or 1. Please note that we do not post kits on weekends or bank holidays and there is no postal delivery on a Sunday. If you wish for a Monday delivery we recommend selecting Friday as the postal day.
3. Please carefully read the swab-kit instructions letter before taking your tests.
4. You will need to take a COVID-19 test on or after day 5 of your quarantine period. The day of your arrival in England is day 0.
5. You must accurately complete a test request form and post the test to us on day 5 - i.e. the day that you conduct the test.
6. Your Test to Release test results will then be sent to you via email as soon as they are available (next day* after your test arrives at our lab).
7. If the test result is negative you can stop quarantining as soon as you receive the result.

Please do not rely on Royal Mail if you need your result in a specific timeframe. The first class post usually takes a day to reach us but this cannot be guaranteed. We recommend that if you need the test in a specific timeframe to please use a courier service or come in to be swabbed at one of our sites (or you can drop off your swab at one of our clinics). We cannot be held responsible for delays in the post.

Please note you can only select one shipping option per order (e.g. postal or in-store). If you wish to have multiple shipping options (e.g. 1 x in-store + 1 x postal) you must make two separate orders/transactions.

How do I book an appointment and which day must I select?

The day you arrive in the UK is regarded as your day 0. Please note that you can conduct your day 5 appointment on or after day 5 which means you can book your appointment on day 5, 6 or 7. Please remember to register your test kit before entering the UK.

1. During checkout you will be provided with the option to book your day 5 appointment on the system (for a small additional fee).
2. Visit our branch on day 5 to have your swab taken.
3. Your Test to Release test results will then be sent to you via email as soon as they are available (next day* after your appointment).
4. If the test result is negative you can stop quarantining as soon as you receive the result.

Please note you can only select one shipping option per order (e.g. postal or in-store). If you wish to have multiple shipping options (e.g. 1 x in-store + 1 x postal) you must make two separate orders/transactions.

Can I leave my quarantine location to complete my Covid-19 tests?

Yes, you are allowed to leave your place of quarantine but only to conduct your Covid-19 Day 2 & 8, or Day 5 'Test to Release' tests.

What happens if I test positive on my day 5 test?

You must quarantine for 10 days beginning the day after the test was taken. Count the 10 days starting from the day after you took the test, or from when you first had symptoms if that is earlier. Please note if you tested positive on Day 5 you are not allowed to leave your quarantine address under any circumstances as per the UK quarantine rules. Any other members of your household should also quarantine for 10 days from the date of your positive test.

Does this test qualify under the UK government's 'Test to Release' scheme?

Yes, we are on both the UK government's general testing providers' list and 'Test to Release' list. This means that we not only meet the standards required for coronavirus testing but can provide this test which is used to determine if Amber List international travellers returning to the UK qualify for a shortened 5 day quarantine period.