Day 8 of Potentially Endless Quarantine, the System’s Bust Folks
**Update: we received results for three of the four PCR tests. Ju’s Day 2 result has not arrived after 10 days. The Day 8 results came back on Day 11. In the end our quarantine was only delayed by a few hours. It wasn’t a good experience though, the customer service was poor and we had low confidence in the system. Hopefully it’ll improve before widespread international travel restarts. Good luck future travellers. 👍**
Having travelled to I don’t know how many countries, I love my home town of Kimberley. It has no oceans, no beaches, no mountains, no desert dunes, no expansive lakes or endless forests, but it has something more, the sensation of belonging. I’ll always want to travel, in one form or another, as I’ve always been intrigued to discover what’s over the next hill or around the next corner, but I’ll always be drawn home too, I think, eventually. It feels good to be here.
Not that I can see much of home at the moment mind you. After leaving the van in storage eight days ago we’ve been in quarantine in the Cooler. That’s something which feels quite normal to say now after a year’s pandemic and our third time of self-isolating. We’ve watched ‘A Year in Space’ on Netflix these past few days and seeing footage of astronauts in quarantine before their flight got us thinking. They were sat behind glass talking to family on the other side with a microphone, closer contact than the video calls which have been most people’s only method of communication with their families for months. They had to be isolated for a couple of weeks, which viewed just over a year ago would have looked hard, but is now laughably easy compared with the many months people have had to ‘shield’ around us. In some ways their quarantine was probably easier than what a lot of the UK has gone through this past year, but then none of us have had to actually sit on a fiery rocket and be blasted into an airless vacuum, so hats off to those astronauts!
This will be the shortest of our three quarantines at only 10 days, the first was two weeks (we weren’t told to do it, but it felt like the right thing to do after coming back from Spain at the start of the pandemic) and the second was for 17 days or so (we added extra days to the required 14 day quarantine period so we would be virus free for my Mum’s funeral), and it doesn’t feel too confining to be locked in here. The Cooler measures 6m by 4m with a small mezzanine and a wet room, and we’ve access to a yard so can stand under the sky, feel the snow and rain and breathe in fresh air. Some folks might go mad being constrained in such a small space. It’s tempting to say we’re used to it after so much time spent living in a motorhome but I think the fact we feel OK in here is more down to (a) travelling back to the UK each time over these past 12 months has been stressful and it feels a huge relief to be home and (b) nothing much is happening outside. The UK’s easing of lockdown shifts forwards again in 3 days, on the 12 April when shops re-open and pubs are allowed to serve people outside. That’s the same day when we’re officially allowed out and accidentally good timing I suspect, as being locked in when lots is happening around is more difficult to handle.
When I say ‘we’re allowed out’ that legally requires us to have two negative PCR test results from days 2 and 8 of our quarantine, which isn’t looking very likely at the moment! As we were required to, we bought our tests from one of the companies approved by the UK Government, we chose Expert Medicals, who like many of the providers send the test kits directly to Oncologica labs for processing and sending out results. All started out well, and the kits were here when we got back home. All the bits were present in each of them, which we took for granted at the time but having read reviews since, we were lucky to have swabs, instructions, reference numbers etc (that said, the Royal Mail tracking codes on two of the included envelopes report as already being used on their website, so we can’t track them).
We completed the day 2 tests and I got a negative result 4 days later (the result was delayed by the Easter weekend, fair enough, although anyone waiting for their day 8 test would have been forced to quarantine to day 11 or 12). Ju’s result still hasn’t come, 6 days after taking it (update: no result after 8 days now). We’ve done a few PCR tests before these ones and know how careful we have to be registering the kits online, taking the tests and packaging them up for posting to the lab. We both did exactly the same thing and posted in the same box at the same time, so why one has gone missing we have no idea. She’s chased Expert Medicals numerous times on the phone and via chat sessions (we have no way to contact the lab direct) and has been fobbed off each time, with promises to return calls broken. We’re not hopeful we’ll get the day 8 results in time for us to leave quarantine after 10 days, or in Ju’s case, ever. We’ve checked their Terms and Conditions and it seems they aren’t liable for any of their third party suppliers, so if Royal Mail or the lab have lost Ju’s test Expert Medicals aren’t liable for that, oh and as soon as they have sent the kit out they don’t give refunds. So it looks like we coughed up £160 each for having the kits posted to us, and no guarantees that we’ll get any results!
Each day we’re in here we’re both called by folks from NHS Test and Trace, who check we’re in quarantine and ask if we’ve completed the tests. We’ve explained to them Ju’s test has gone AWOL. They’re a nice enough bunch, but have a script to stick to which says we have to have negative results for both tests before we can leave quarantine, and that we should contact our provider. When we say we have, all they can do is suggest we contact the NHS 119 number. None of them are massively surprised the results haven’t come (which in itself isn’t a surprise given reports like this on the BBC), and looking at reviews for Expert Medicals we can understand why, although to be fair the problem seems to be with the lab, who also get poor reviews. Expert Medicals have since featured in a short article in The Times.
I’ve since checked reviews for a selection of the government’s approved suppliers and there are limited positive responses for postal testing and large numbers of 1 star reviews. Either few people getting a good service are writing a review or there’s a wider issue with the system. Not surprising perhaps, an expensive service which tens of thousands of travellers are mandated to use (with maybe hundreds of thousands once international leisure travel is legal again) is bound to attract lots of new suppliers whether they or their partner labs are able to offer any kind of decent service or not. There was one provider when the system was first launched, and around 15 when we booked our tests at the end of March, today there are 82. This morning’s news is saying that everyone returning from abroad, when travel is legal again, will have to take a test (or two for the amber and red countries) and that the price of testing needs to come down. I’m not sure the system has capacity to do this at the moment, and if they are struggling to provide a decent service at the current prices, I don’t know how it will be able to happen if margins are squeezed further.
Ju was told to call NHS 119 this morning after her daily test and trace call, to see if there is any other way to get a test to get out of quarantine should her Day 2 test never reappear. Their response is that we must have both results to end quarantine and we’ll need to buy another PCR test for Ju if her Day 2 one doesn’t come back before day 10. She’ll then need to take that AFTER we’ve taken the Day 8 PCR test. What’s the point of that? Arggghhhhh!!!! The system appears to currently be broken. We’ve both got our fingers crossed that our Day 8 test results come back quicker than my Day 2 results, because if they also take 4 days we’ll have to quarantine for at least 12 days. We’ve both had text messages offering vaccinations but we can’t book in as we’ve no idea when we can go. We will get out of here at some point, but there’s zero chance we’re going abroad again while this government-mandated test system, which costs a bomb and, broadly speaking, just doesn’t work, is still in place.
Ahem, sorry rant over. As you can probably tell, we’re finding it all a little frustrating. Anyway, in other news:
- We’ve finally got a big telly! We’ve a 43″ smart 4k job from Argos and it’s cracking, great sound quality too, like the best stereo we’ve ever had, and it means Ju can now read any subtitles on the screen.
- While we’re enjoying have a big screen, we’re avoiding watching it during the day and, when we’re not on the phone to the COVID testers, the NHS or chasing our test provider, we’ve been going through all our books updating them for Brexit, COVID and anything else which has changed since we last published them. This is one of the big advantages of using a print-on-demand self publishing service like Amazon’s, as we don’t have a stock of out-of-date books to get rid of and can update them as frequently as we like, so they’re always fresh.
- To give you an idea how exciting quarantine is, our highlight on Wednesday was completing our tax returns – but at least they are done now, probably the the earliest ones ever.
- We’re still looking around for a second-hand car, and the Hyundai i10 has taken a back seat, with a Mini (the BMW version) taking over as front runner, mainly as it looks more stylish and fun! We’ll get a 10(ish) year old one and go find it once we’re out of quarantine.
- We’re managing to keep exercising to some degree each day, but if I’m honest it’s hard to stay motivated to do this when you’re locked in a small box!
- We’ve ordered new mastic and other bits and bobs to reseal the main skylight on the van. The exhaust also needs replacing, the brakes looking at and (possibly) the wheel bearings we had fitted in Nerja swapping for OEM ones by our local garage. We’ve a fair few expenses at the moment, but it’s all budgeted for and Zagan will be ready to hit the road again.
And, of course, campsites in England can also re-open on Monday 12 April, woo hoo!!! Great news for the sites and for anyone wanting an escape. Although the weather’s a tad rubbish at the moment I imagine lots of folks will be desperate to get out in their motorhomes and this will be the first opportunity to go sleep under the stars (well, the clouds). We’ve come across a few anecdotes about campsites filling up, but can’t imagine many will be full in the spring, mid-week and away from the bigger club sites, although we’ve not tried to book in anywhere and I could well be wrong! If you are heading off, have a great time guys, let us know where you’re going as we’re after places to go later in the year.
Cheers, Jay
Sounds like your government organizes things about as well as the Canadian government does! What a circus. Currently, if we return to Canada we have to pay for an expensive three day government mandated hotel quarantine while waiting for your test results. If your test results come in earlier, you are free to leave the hotel and finish your quarantine at home. But you don’t get a refund on the unused portion of your stay. Unbelievable.
Hi guys. We knew we’d need to quarantine and buy these tests. That’s OK with us, we don’t mind doing it if it really helps manage the situation here. We’re doing our bit, but as far as we can tell our government isn’t keeping its end of the bargain and holding these shoddy test companies to account. We’ll see what happens next for us and for international travel as a whole in the UK – it might restart in a few week’s time and at that point if the system hasn’t been sorted out it will completely collapse. Interesting times! Still enjoying watching you guys explore Albania, thanks for posting. Cheers, Jay
I replaced our 2000 reg B544 Classic LHD exhaust with one supplied by Costal Motorhomes in 2019. RHD exhaust exits on the opposite side and mounts are also opposite. Found it on their ebay shop, but it isn’t listed at the moment. Might be worth giving them a call to check availability. Cost was £111.03 in 2019. Not connected to the company in any way – hope you get sorted..
Thanks Mick, appreciated, Jay
Hi guys. You may be able to reclaim the cost of Julie’s test by contacting your credit card company and requesting a Section 75 refund. Not much consolation for the test not arriving but you should at least get your money back. Probably worth a try, especially if you have to buy another!
Thanks Lynne. The Ts and Cs for Expert Medical basically say they don’t refund as soon as a test is sent out. Seems illegal to me, not to actually take responsibility for delivery of the results. We’ll see what happens next. Cheers, Jay
I agree, it surely must be illegal to put T&Cs that absolve them of the responsibility of providing the service you paid for, so maybe worth a try. Good luck!
Hi I think it may be worthwhile emailing your MP and asking them to get the Health Secretary to intervene maybe copy in the local paper – good luck!
Love your travels and followed you on and off for a couple of years.
Hoping my early semi retirement will be doing something similar.
Ct1 silicone is first class for any rapair on your van!
Even sets under water!
Cheers Chris, good luck for your travels and thanks for the info. 👍👌 Jay
Loved reading your very honest blogs however avoid sweeping statements about systems being broken, your personal system may have been and the -vers around are the ones to complain. We also returned from Spain, in fact we saw you at Nerja and we had no problems with our tests results, test and post day1 results first thing day3. If you absorb your mind with blame, negative thoughts you will become it and non of us want that. There are millions worse off than us.
Good stuff – hopefully you’ve left a good review for your test company. It’s just my opinion, based on reading maybe 100 negative reviews across 15 companies from the gov’s list, that the system isn’t currently working at the scale it currently needs to operate, and if large-scale international travel re-opens on 17 May with the same need for Day 2 and 8 testing, it’ll implode without major improvements being made. Cheers and happy travels! Jay
P.S. One small amend to your response if I may: there aren’t millions worse off than us, there are billions. Each of us in the UK (not everyone, I’m talking about the majority) are likely in the top 1 billion of the 7.6 billion on the planet in terms of prosperity (source: Factfulness by Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Hans Rosling, and Ola Rosling). Does that mean we ‘rich people’ should never complain? I don’t think that makes sense. I still 100% agree maintaining a positive mindset is key to a good life for us and for those around us.
For anyone else doing tests if you take the official .gov site route it takes you to CTM and we had no issue at all.
Can you just confirm you used this CTM Lisa: https://quarantinehotels.ctmportal.co.uk/Quarantine/Home.aspx
There’s another ‘CTM’ offering Day 2 and 8 tests which isn’t getting good reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.travelctm.co.uk
Thanks, Jay
Hi Jay, I have written to my MP and the BBC about this, the situation is awful and the Government need to step in… Glad you are both OK Brian.
Cheers Brian, we’re good, just getting a tad frustrated! 👍 Jay
Look at Clause 2 of Schedule 2C of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020. All the possible outcomes are listed there. Seems to me that 14 days in the cooler is worst case.
Best of luck.
Bob
Thanks Bob, yep, we’ve since found that too, appreciated though. It’s day 10 now and no results from day 2 for Ju or day 8 for either of us. Ho hum, more running up and down the yard followed by Netflix! Cheers, Jay
Hi, stay strong guys, I feel we will all be in a better place soon.
Can I be cheeky and ask if you didn’t have the cooler to come back to, would you feel so much at home
if say you were quarantining someplace else, or is it the cooler and the fact that it belongs to you, if you get my drift ?
Take care Ian
Thanks Ian, we’re out now and feel much, much better. This area’s my home, whether I’ve bricks and mortar here or not. We both enjoy being able to switch between house and van though, that really works well for us personally, although we’ve met a good number of people who full time and wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not sure if that answers your question? Cheers, Jay
So did you need to buy another test for the missing one or did test and trace accept only one test in the end?
Hi Rob – we went with the two negative Day 8 tests – Ju’s Day 2 never came back. Test and Trace only called us up until Day 10 so they didn’t ‘accept’ the situation. We opted to go with logic in the end. Jay
Sensible. Seems like you fell off the call handlers script. Just thinking through my options at the moment. Took the plunge and bought a motorhome last month. The only problem is that it is currently sat in Dusseldorf.
Ah yes, Germany’s a tad inaccessible at the moment but it’ll no doubt be great when you can get out there and pick it up. Good luck, cheers, Jay