Returning to Portugal?

[Geoff]

Anyone had tests at Synlabs in Lagoa? We used them yesterday, had results BUT they don't include dob/age which is a requirement for UK! Hoping they can sort it, not hopeful.

[carolyn]

That’s worrying Geoff as we are also booked with them. I’ve seen plenty of posts on the CVO village Facebook page from people who’ve used them to return already?

[Geoff]

Just heard from a friend of ours who went back on tuesday:

"We got ours done at the same place, have checked our result form, and there is no age on either, but didn’t present us with a problem. The same firm does testing at the airport so should be okay. You only need it to get out of Portugal not into uk, as details are on passenger locator form."

So, perhaps Ok after all.

[carolyn]

That’s good to hear. Thanks for update

[Geoff]

Just been to Synlabs in Lagoa...they were surprised to hear of DoB requirement & said no one else had said there was a problem....they will look into it & ring me! Fingers crossed.

[Geoff]

Panic over...the Faro lab replied to my email and said form contained age.....if you look v closely, it does say 73 A ( m) for me and 73 A (f) for Sue.....but it isn't obvious!
Phew!

[williew]

We returned to UK on Monday. We had used the drive thru testing facility at Portimao Arena, cost 25 euro each. Left house in Cvo and back within the hour. Results with us in a further 15 mins, great service.

Since we returned to UK on Monday both Carol and I have been contacted twice each by Test & Trace.

Also, very impressed our Passenger Locator Forms were available on line at Passport Control in Birmingham - no need to show.

We have also used Randox for our 2 (& 8 day) tests - no probs at all.


Willie W

[djprescott]

You must have been out there at the same time as us Willie.
Sounds like the Portimao drive thru testing facility worked well as we ended up going Synlab sin Portimao anyway and paid €40 each. We have been contacted 2-3 times a day by T&T?
We need to meet up soon for a walk/coffee!

Dave

[Aldo]

Hi
how do you find out where testing centres are close to Carvoeiro and how do you book please

[williew]

You will find Synlab will be booked up far in advance. They ask that you email them at covid.lagoa@synlab.pt

If you google Unilabs Portimao you will find the drive through info - we rang and made an appointment. Make sure you ask for the antigen test at 25 euro.

Return testing is also available at Faro Airport - walk in I believe.


Willie W

[williew]

Dave

Yes, need no excuse to sample the fine beer at the Cape!

Quarantining till next Friday so maybe the week after?

Willie W

[Geoff]

We survived horrendous queues at EJ check-in yesterday only to be denied checking-in as we were " too early" at 2 h 30 mins prior to flight time. Security & passports all very quick, airport empty, plane only quarter full, Luton empty.....only EJ check-in wanted to see Covid Form/Locator form....had TT gestapo on to us already. 10 days of quarantine to look forward to, hope it stops raining!
At least with a free Hands Free I've got 10 ltrs Portuguese wine to remind me it was all worth it.
Hopefully, it should be easier in September!

[widge]

Congratulations Geoff on a safe trip.

Thanks for sharing your journey, it's helpful for the "not so early adopters" to learn from your experience.

We've booked the Santander ferry for August 18th and will let the forum know how it goes, assuming we're allowed to leave these shores !

[patti]

Our easyjet flight last week was cancelled without any notice whatsoever and we had to buy seats on a flight with Wizzair in order to get home,
The track and trace agents have rung us every day since our return sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. On the subject of Jota Lita I have been told that his sister is going to take over the business when she can sort things out
Patti

[carolyn]

We have also returned to the UK and this was our experience which may halp others.

Had antigen test at Synlab on Fatacil (emailed to book covid.lagoa@synlab.pt). We only went the day before our flight as they are only open Mon-Fri and our flight was a Tuesday. It was all very efficient = we were there 15 minutes before our appointment time and seen on time. Results back in 3 hours by email - which they had verified when the test was done. Email and also certificate (available through the Synlab app - but not essential)

Flew Easyjet. Arrived at Faro 2 hours before flight time. Went to Bag Drop/Check in (required now - regardless if you only have hand luggage). They checked Covid Test/Passenger Locator for UK and booking and gave us an 'old style' cardboard boarding pass - presumably an indicator that we had been 'checked'. As we had Speedy Boarding we had a dedicated 'queue' which was empty - none-SB had a queue of about 30-40 people - there were two EJ flights at the same time.

No delays in boarding - flight about 50% full.

Flew to Luton which was empty except for our flight - no-one checked Passenger Locator - though there were signs saying they would do spot checks - but of course we'd already had them checked at Faro.

We've just been called by TT police ( 24 hours after flight time) - so now its sit and wait - but as we are doing Test to Release - will be able to go to work on Monday.

Definitely worth it - even though expensive - as we have had 10 days holiday - and still fitted in to the pre-arranged 2 weeks off work.

Only disappointment was weather in CVO! Would have liked a bit more sun and less cloud/rain. Still great to be back after a year away. Felt perfectly safe in Portugal. And with so few people flying - suspect we are more at risk in our local Sainsburys at home:)

Hope this rather wordy post helps!