1.  What is the Test to Release Scheme?

• The Test to Release for International Travel scheme is for people who need to self-isolate on arrival in England.
• Under the scheme you can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test. If the result is negative, you can stop self-isolating.
• The scheme is voluntary and applies to those self-isolating in England only.

More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel

2.  If I’ve been contact traced does this release me from quarantine?

• No, this is only for people who have travelled to England from a destination not on the travel corridor list

3.  How long does it take?

The guidance for Laboratories issuing tests and results are here (please note the timings in point 10) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/testing-to-release-for-international-travel-minimum-standards-for-testing/minimum-standards-for-private-sector-providers-of-covid-19-testing-for-testing-to-release-for-international-travel

• Providers may only provide or administer tests to international arrivals on or after the fifth full day after the international arrival leaves a destination not on the travel corridor list (the provider may not issue tests before the end of the fourth full day). The provider should base the day of departure on the day the international arrivals declares on their booking form. Providers can, therefore, post or courier tests to arrivals before the fifth day, but this delivery cannot arrive earlier than the fifth day.
• The international arrival will therefore take the test on or after the fifth full day after they left the destination not on the travel corridor list. For most international arrivals, this will be after 5 full days of self-isolating. For example, an international arrival leaves a destination not on the travel corridor list at 11am on Monday, and declares this on their booking form. The test provider can then provide or administer a test on or after Saturday, posting or couriering a test before Saturday only if it will not arrive until Saturday. (please note Axiom only dispatch kits on Monday - Friday)
• Axiom will send the kit on a next day delivery service (please note there are no dispatch or deliveries on Sundays and we are unable to guarantee the Royal Mail delivery times)
• The international arrival will swab themselves and send the sample back using the Royal Mail tracked postal service ensuring they post the sample in a Royal Mail Priority postal box. There is a 24 hour access drop box at the Laboratory for anyone who wants to hand deliver their samples. The International Arrival will complete the online sample submission form on Axiom’s website.
• Axiom start the testing process at 09:00 each day. Any samples in the lab by that time will have results within 24 hours. Any samples arriving after that time are added to the next day’s run.

4.  Are you open on Sunday?

• Our service runs 6 days a week. Monday to Saturday only.

5.  Where is your laboratory?

• Ours is a postal service so we are unable to test you on the premises or hand you testing kits. We are based in Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4PB.

6.  Can I collect my kit from you?

• Unfortunately not. We have to run the lab in a COVID safe manner and can’t allow kits to be handed out.

7.  Can I drop the kit back at the lab?

• You can drop you finished kits into the drop boxes on the exterior of the lab. They are accessible 24 hours a day and any samples received by 09:00 will go on that day’s run.

8.  What does the test cost?

• £99 per test.