Boots UK has launched an 'at-home' PCR self-test kit as English holidaymakers prepare for a summer break abroad from May 17.
The PCR kit offered by MyHealthChecked can be purchased online via Boots' portal and delivered to the customers’ homes the very next day.
The test, which is also available at over 500 Boots stores, is priced at £65.
Boots also offers an in-store Covid-19 PCR testing service, which is now available at over 200 stores in the UK. It offers results within 48 hours.
Its third private test, an in-store Covid-19 rapid antigen testing service provides results on the same day and is offered at over 15 stores.
“All three private Boots tests can be used as a private pre-flight testing service, depending on the specific requirements of the destination country and airline, for customers who require a negative Covid-19 certificate before travelling abroad,” the company said on Monday (May 10).
Boots is also now an accredited test provider for the government’s Test to Release scheme, offering next day results for those wishing to reduce their home quarantine by taking a voluntary test on the fifth day after arriving in England from a country not on the ‘red list’.
“Later this month, Boots will become an accredited test provider for day two and day eight testing for international arrivals, offering at-home PCR self-test kits with results typically within 48 hours from receipt of the sample at the laboratory,” the pharmacy chain said.
Asif Aziz, director of healthcare services at Boots UK, said: “Now that holidaymakers can start planning a summer holiday abroad, we look forward to helping them stay safe when travelling. With a negative Covid-19 test result becoming the norm for international travel, we have increased our testing services to make them even more accessible for customers.
“Regular testing is also really important for everyone as we move out of lockdown, which is why we are proudly supporting the government to offer free, rapid tests at our pharmacies in England through the Pharmacy Collect scheme.”
In addition to its private testing services, Boots now also offers free, rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs) at over 1,700 pharmacies in England as part of the government’s new Pharmacy Collect service.
As part of this scheme, people without symptoms will be able to visit their local Boots pharmacy and collect a box of seven rapid LFTs to use twice a week at home.
