Shopping giant Amazon is entering the PCR COVID-19 testing market and is undercutting many rival suppliers with Day 2 compatible tests costing just £34.99. The tests are also discounted when bought in bundles of up to six tests to lower the eyewatering test costs faced by some families when returning from holiday.
Amazon says the tests are fully travel compliant for passengers entering the United Kingdom with results returned in just 24-hours after being received at the lab. Fully vaccinated travellers must take a PCR test within two days of entering the UK and must self-isolate until a negative result is returned.
In recent weeks, testing companies have lowered the costs of PCR testing for travel but the average cost per test is still around £60. Analysts expect Amazon’s entrance into the market will force competitors to lower their prices in response.
Along with Day 2 PCR tests, Amazon is also offering bundles for tests on Day 2 and Day 8 which is required for unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated travellers. The Day 2 and 8 bundle costs just £63.98.
On Tuesday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the emergency post-arrival PCR testing rules would remain in place until at least January. The government is expected to review the rules in the new year and may replace expensive PCR testing with quicker and cheaper antigen testing.
The travel industry, including the likes of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, are, however, calling on the British government to completely drop testing rules for fully vaccinated travellers. The definition of fully vaccinated is expected to be changed to mean people who have had at least three approved COVID-19 jabs.
Travellers looking to use Amazon’s testing service can order their tests in advance so that they are ready to take straight away from the comfort of home. Included with the test is an instruction leaflet and pre-paid returns envelope.
The tests are sent to Amazon’s very own lab in Manchester which the company developed last year to initially process tests for its own employees. Amazon says results should be provided within 24-hours.
Amazon has, though, issued a warning for travellers hoping to use the service over the Christmas period who might be forced to self-isolate for much longer. Due to a Royal Mail closure over the holiday period, travellers won’t be able to register their test kits between 23rd December to 27th December and between 30th December and 02nd January 2022.
