General Questions
We provide testing services for various subcontractors which serve the corporate sectors including media, entertainment, aviation, sport, and health. Based in an ultra-modern molecular diagnostic facility, we have the capacity to test more than 100,000 samples per week from our mega lab facility based in the former Royal Air Force Coltishall, Norfolk.
Our team of highly experienced Scientist have been helping to support government effort to provide testing services since the beginning of this pandemic, with over 1,000,000 tests delivered for governmental agencies including the Department of Health and Social Care as part of Pillar 2 testing service consortium – to play our part in helping the UK to get back to ‘normal’ as quickly, and as safely, as possible.
The Reverse-Transcriptase Real-time PCR test looks for the presence of the virus currently in the body, it detects this from the RNA taken from the sample provided. The RNA is the genetic material contained within a virus. When your sample reaches our laboratory, a process called real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is commenced. If there is viral RNA present, this process starts a ‘chain reaction’ and creates billions of copies of the viral genetic material which is detected and analysed by scientists as positive.
In the event of no COVID-19 RNA being detected, we will report the sample as negative.
It is the gold standard in COVID-19 testing and is the test used by the NHS. It offers the most accurate results as it can detect even the smallest amount of virus. This means that a negative PCR test result provides the most reliable indication you can safely continue to work and travel. If you test negative, then you are most likely not currently infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 at the time of testing (Important note: a negative test result does not preclude current or later infection and the development of COVID-19 symptoms should not be ignored).
If you are experiencing the following coronavirus symptoms: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, our home Covid-19 PCR test will determine your current infection status so that you can take the right course of action. Up to 80% of people infected with COVID-19 will show none or only minor symptoms, so you should also consider taking a private COVID-19 PCR test if:
• you intend to travel internationally within the next 72 hours and require a travel PCR test report or a fit to fly test with a fit to fly certificate
• a family member, friend or colleague, or someone you have recently come into contact with is feeling unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, or has been diagnosed with COVID-19
• you are planning to visit elderly or vulnerable friends or relatives
• your child(ren), or another child within their school bubble, has been sent home from school with COVID-19 symptoms
• you have been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service
The RT-PCR assay used by ADNA for testing is independent validated with sensitivity and specificity >99% and approved by Public Health England/Technology Validation Group.
Our testing process has been validated and approved by the DHSC and assessed by the United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS), thereby ensuring high scientific standards are maintained throughout the handling, testing, and reporting of your test.
We also participate in External Quality Assurance and Proficiency Schemes, to ensure our systems and operations are consistently performing to the highest international standards.
Having extensive experience in direct-to-consumer genetic testing, drug and alcohol and other scientific testing services, we take the privacy of users’ data extremely seriously and we are fully compliant with the UK Data Protection Act (1998) and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation. Our databases are all encrypted at rest (AES-256) with strict whitelist access only. Users’ personal details are password protected and stored on secure servers.
Test result data and samples are anonymized using unique barcodes during processing. Samples are also kept safely under surveillance with restricted access only to the technical team involved in the processing of your samples.
After processing, negative samples are discarded within 7 days. Positive samples are stored for 2 years, for epidemiological purposes and referred for further testing or genome sequencing if requested by Public Health England or an agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. We retain all data relating to Covid testing for ten years.
Please note that where your test was purchased on your behalf by an employer for the specific purpose of health screening, we will share a summary of your results with them in the interests of public health. Returning your sample to us constitutes your acceptance of this processing. In all other circumstances, data (including test results) will be not shared with any third parties without a user’s express consent (unless there is a legal obligation or judicial order).
Reporting to Public Health England: Regulations now state that all private Covid-19 test providers are mandated by law to report test results to Public Health England. This includes personal data on the person being tested, to enable individuals who test positive to be effectively transferred into the National Test and Trace system.
Yes, you can book for your sample to be collected in your home by one of our Health Practitioners or in our Sample Collection Centres in London, Cardiff, Norwich, Birmingham and other places across the country for COVID-19 testing. Select and schedule your appointment with a Centre or Sampler during booking of your test. Unfortunately, discount codes are only applicable for online orders of home sample collection kits.
When you place your self-sample kit, we will send you a carefully packaged Covid-19 sample collection kit, via the postal service or by courier. When you receive our specially designed sample collection kit, follow the enclosed instructions to take your own nose and throat swab samples (or those of a family member from within your household unable to carry out the collection themselves, such as a child).
Whilst the sample collection procedure is simple to carry out, you may experience some discomfort when rubbing the swab inside your nasal cavity or throat. Follow hand hygiene protocols to avoid cross-contamination of samples between different members within the household. Once you have collected the samples, carefully package the used swabs in the protective swab packaging and place them in the pre-paid, tracked-return polythene bag. Once your kit is sealed, follow the return post-procedure highlighted in your pack. Follow the link to find your nearest FedEx pick up or drop off point.
On receipt of your samples at our Covid-19 dedicated laboratory, our scientific specialists will test and analyse your swabs to determine if you are infected with the Covid-19 virus or if you are negative. If we receive your samples after 4 pm on any working day, please be aware that the samples may not be processed until the next working day.
Please note that ADNA cannot be held responsible for any delays or disruptions to Royal Mail’s postal service when returning your samples. If you want to guarantee ADNA’s receipt of your samples, you may want to deliver them in person to our premises located at 33 Scottow Enterprise Park, Lamas Road, Badersfield, Norwich, NR10 5FB. If you feel you require more information please email [email protected].
Orders are dispatched Monday – Friday. Orders received before 2pm are despatched on same day. We recommend you place your order well in advance of when you need to collect your sample. Please allow up to 2 business days from ordering for the home sample collection kit to arrive from our testing facility excluding weekends and bank holidays. Due to the extremely busy logistics network throughout the UK, some orders may take up to 3 days to arrive once dispatched. So from when you place your order, it may take up to 3 businesses days for your order to arrive.
For Day 2 Home Tests, your testing kit will be dispatched on the day of your arrival in the UK (Day 0).
For the most accurate results, samples should be collected from a symptomatic individual between days 1 – 5 of symptom onset. However, if you are not displaying any symptoms (asymptomatic) but you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you may take this test up to 14 days after the suspected exposure.
We have included a pre-paid Royal Mail 24hr Tracked address label on the back of the test kit box to send the test back to ADNA Laboratory via Royal Mail Priority Post Box near you. When returning your sample by post, please make sure to take note of the postal tracking number.
Anglia DNA accepts no responsibility for delays in the postal service when returning your sample via Royal Mail or other delivery provider.
Usually, within 24 to 72 hours of us receiving your swab at our laboratory, your sample will be analysed, and your results will be delivered securely by email. You will be notified by email when your results are ready, 90% of results are ready within 48hrs from receipt of activated kits.
Once your result is ready, we will email you a PDF of your laboratory results via our encrypted email.We will send this to the email you used to activate your sample kit .
If your sample is received in the laboratory, you will still get your results in exactly the same timeframe, regardless of which day of the week we received the sample. Our laboratories and support team operate 7 days per week.
We aim to return all results for activated kits within 72 hours of the lab receiving your sample, however, in the rare event that your results take over 48 hours from receipt by the lab, we will offer a 50% refund (Fit to Fly Only). If the results take over 72 hours from receipt, we will give you a full refund (Fit to Fly Only). However, please note that ADNA accepts no responsibility or liability for any costs arising from any delay, disruption or cancellation of your travel plans directly or indirectly caused by the requirement to produce a travel certificate.
A positive test result means that you were most likely infected with Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) when you provided your sample and can transmit the virus to others. According to government guidelines, if you had or currently have symptoms of Covid-19 (e.g. a new onset cough, high temperature, and/or loss of taste of smell), you should self-isolate and stay at home for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. If you do not have symptoms, you must immediately self-isolate for 14 days. For more information, please visit the Public Health England and NHS guidance pages.
It’s important to be aware that in order to detect the virus, the ‘viral load’ in your system must be of a sufficient level to detect a positive result. For example, if you caught the virus on Wednesday and gave your sample on the following Thursday morning, the viral load will not have had sufficient time to build up to detectable levels and therefore you would likely get a negative result, despite carrying coronavirus.
According to current government travel quarantine rules, “a test after 5 days of self-isolation provides materially better results, as it allows time for the virus, should it be present, to incubate, helping reduce the risk of a false negative result.” For this reason, we would advise anyone carrying out a test who wanted to optimise the likelihood that a negative test result is accurate at the time the sample was provided, to self-isolate and provide their sample on day 5 of their isolation or later. Finally, it is important to note that while the sensitivity levels of PCR tests for detecting coronavirus is extremely high, no test of this kind is 100% accurate and precautions should still be taken. A negative result should not be used to undertake activities contrary to government advice and anyone exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 should self-isolate, even if a test does not detect coronavirus.
An ‘inconclusive’ result means that the test may have only partially detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in your sample, but the signal did not meet the criteria to be confirmed as a positive result. If you receive an ‘inconclusive’ result, we recommend retesting. In the meantime, you are advised to behave as if you have a positive test result and are currently carrying coronavirus – you should therefore self-isolate and stay at home for 10-14 days (see below) or until you receive the results of a retest.
Please note that ADNA will not issue Fit to Fly Certificate for Void or Inconclusive results. ADNA accepts no responsibility or liability for any costs arising from any delay, disruption or cancellation of your travel plans directly or indirectly caused by the requirement to produce a travel certificate.
According to government guidance, someone with an inconclusive result should self-isolate for 10 days from when symptoms started. If not showing symptoms, you should self-isolate for 14 days from when your original sample was first provided. If you subsequently receive a negative test result, you can stop self-isolating.
‘Void’ in this case, we have been unable to obtain a valid test result and a new swab sample should be taken and submitted for an additional test. A ‘Void’ result could indicate a failure in the sampling process or the presence of inhibitors that prevent the successful detection of viral RNA. A new order for a test should be placed to allow for a retest, please ensure you follow the sample instructions carefully to reduce this risk.
’Failed’ result means that we were unable to process your sample at our laboratory due to sample quality. If you receive a ‘failed’ result and are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. a new onset cough, high temperature, and/or loss of taste or smell), then, as per government guidelines, you should stay at home and self-isolate for at least 10 days from when symptoms started. If you receive a ‘failed’ result and do not have symptoms of COVID-19, then you do not need to self-isolate.
Broadly speaking, the difference between the two tests can be understood as: ‘Do I have it?’ (PCR) and ‘Have I had it before?’ (Antibody). ADNA’s PCR test can identify Covid-19 in those who suspect they currently have the virus, from the earliest pre-symptomatic stages of the infection. ADNA’s Covid-19 antibody test can identify those who develop an immune response to the virus. We also have antibody test which can measure an individual’s response to previous Covid-19 vaccination.
Our gold-standard PCR test detects whether you have the virus on board. This is typically from the day of exposure till the day the virus has been shed from your system (usually up to 14 days but can be shorter or longer in some cases). It should be undertaken when someone suspects they have Covid-19, or if they believe they have been recently exposed to it. The test can detect Covid-19 even if the individual is asymptomatic.
The antibody test determines a person’s immune response to Covid-19. IgM and IgA antibodies typically appear first in a patient’s blood when the body is fighting. IgG appears later and usually remains present in the blood once the body has mounted its response. Therefore, the laboratory recommends antibody testing from 14 days after the onset of symptoms or a positive PCR test. If a person tests positive for any of the antibodies, this means they have likely had Covid-19.
For our antibody test, a healthcare professional will visit your home and collect a venous blood sample, and they will take care of delivering the sample to the lab. For our RT-PCR test, you can choose to have a healthcare professional come to your home and swab you, and they will take care of delivering the sample to the lab. Select your preferred option for RT-PCR sampling during checkout.
If our PCR test is positive for Covid-19 and you recover, or if our antibody test is positive for antibodies, the test results each indicate that you have been exposed to the virus and developed antibodies against it.
There is still a great deal about Covid-19 immunity that we do not yet fully understand. For example, we do not yet know that just because someone has initially made IgA or IgM or later developed IgG antibodies to Covid 19, that they are fully protected from reinfection, or how long they will last in the blood. There is currently no scientific evidence confirming if the presence of antibodies correlates to immunity or how long the antibodies will last for.
If your antibody test is negative, it means you have not been exposed sufficiently to make an antibody response or there has not been sufficient time for the body to make an antibody response.
There is also a possibility that your body made an antibody response which has not been sustained and is therefore not detectable when it was tested for. Some patients with other underlying health conditions specifically related to their immune system may also not be able to mount a detectable or sustainable immune response and therefore may test negative. Please note that some people may not develop IgG antibodies even after proven infection with Covid-19 and will therefore test negative.
You can cancel your appointment (collection centre and Sampler home visit only) up to 24 hours before your test slot to receive a full refund minus £45 admin fee. If your flight is cancelled and you no longer need your Fit to Fly booking, send us proof of your flight cancellation to receive a full refund minus £25 admin fee.
Fit 2 Fly
If your Fit 2 Fly test has been dispatched to you but you no longer wish to use it, a refund will be offered minus our £15.00 restocking and delivery fee.
Day 2 and 8
Travel Testing is mandatory upon arrival in England and we don’t issue any refunds or cancellation. If you choose to perform your test with other providers, you can keep your testing kit for use in future.
You may cancel your order for home self-collection by contacting us by phone or, if the phone is not available, email at any time before 2 pm on the day your order is placed. After the times outlined above, we will not offer any refunds or cancellations, however, you may retain your test kit for future use.
We take no responsibility and offer no refunds for failures or delays in delivery of the test kits to you or your return of test kits to the lab, if caused by any service provider we have contracted for delivery including but not limited to DPD, FedEx, Royal Mail and other Couriers.
We offer no refunds after the generation of your booking reference. If you change your travel arrangement or arrival date, you can use your booking reference so long as it has not been used previously to complete a passenger locator form.
Fit 2 Fly
Different countries have different requirements regarding entry, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries and airlines require individuals to provide a travel clearance certificate that shows evidence of a negative Covid-19 PCR test prior to travel, usually taken no more than 72-96 hours before your flight. Testing all passengers prior to flying helps to reduce Covid-19 transmission during flight. For many countries, RT-PCR is the accepted method of COVID-19 testing for travel purposes.
You are responsible for understanding the requirements of the country you are travelling to and for ensuring our fit to fly certificate and PCR testing service is sufficient for your travel needs. Provision of a fit to fly certificate is conditional on you receiving a negative PCR test result and your answers to a series of COVID-19 specific health-related questions.
Depending on which country you are visiting, you may be required to have proof of a negative Covid-19 result 48-96 hours before arriving at your destination. You will need to review the requirements of the country you are flying to regarding the specific timeframe for a Fit to Fly certification and prepare accordingly. During online booking, choose between either our Fit to Fly at home Covid-19 kit or schedule an appointment for the Fit to Fly test at one of our sample Collection Centres.
We are approved by the Government for General testing which includes pre-travel clearance often called Fit to Fly, we are one of the first service providers in the UK, we utilise RT-PCR tests which are recognised as the global, gold-standard Covid-19 testing method accepted by most airlines and countries.
We use test assays from brands which are validated by the Public Health England (PHE) to ensures the generation of accurate results. Our Fit to Fly test will confirm whether you are currently infected with Covid-19. Please note, our ‘fit-to-fly’ certificates refer to your Covid-19 status only and does not provide any confirmation of your fitness to fly related to any other health conditions.
Requirements vary by airline and destination and it is your responsibility to check the maximum number of hours/days prior to your flight you need to have taken your test by, for it to be accepted. Time windows between 48 – 96 hours are normally given by your airline or the country you are flying to.
We advise that you please check the individual requirements for your carrier and destination carefully before purchase, and before providing your sample, to ensure this service meets the stated requirements and that you provide your sample at the correct time.
Please be aware that a very small proportion of tests will return an inconclusive result and will require retesting, which we would arrange free of charge. We do therefore advise you take your test as soon as permitted for your trip. For instance, if you require a test taken no longer than 72 hours before your flight at 3pm on 7th November, the optimal time to take your test would be at approximately 4pm on 4th November.
Unfortunately, we are unable to advise on individual cases as travel regulations are continually being updated and are subject to change. But please check the government’s foreign travel advice for your destination to establish their exact requirements. This provides the most up to date information on which countries require a PCR Covid test. If you require further information, please call 01603 989 110 or email: [email protected]
In most cases, this is not required. If you chose a self-swab home collection kit, the sample collection can be completed in your home as the testing and results processing will be carried out by our certified laboratories. Please check the local government guidelines of your destination or your holiday provider for more information on this. Please conduct your sample within the time frame required by your destination country.
When attending your appointment, please bring your booking reference number (in your confirmation email) and some photo identification. Your ID needs to match the name that the booking is under. If you have booked a test with a Fit to Fly certificate or a Test to Release, you will need to bring a valid passport or national ID card for authentication.
Yes. Many countries require your passport number to be present on your test results certificate. You will be invited to enter your passport number or ID number during booking. It will then be shown on your test results certificate.
Our laboratory normally processes and return results within 24 hours (Fit to Fly Only) from receiving the activated test kit at the laboratory. You will receive an email notifying you that your results and certificate are available to view and download. For RT-PCR Tests including General testing, Fit to Fly, Test to Release and Arrivals Day 2 and Day 8 tests, we aim to email your result to you between 24 to 72 hours, however in some cases, this could take up to 5 days of receiving your sample.
Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Arrivals
Fully vaccinated means that you have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England. The day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days.
The vaccine must be administered under either:
- the UK vaccination programme
- an overseas vaccination programme with an approved proof of vaccination for travel to the UK
Unvaccinated from non-red list countries: You will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test, and two PCR tests on return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). Optionally you can take a test on Day 5 (Test to Release) to leave quarantine early.
Vaccinated from non-red list countries: You will not need to quarantine on return, and you do not need to take a pre-departure test. You are required to take a PCR test on or before Day 2 of your return to the UK.
Yes, the Day 2 test is mandatory for anyone travelling into the UK from abroad. Failure to take the tests can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
You can take your Day 2 test on or before day 2 following your arrival in England.
If you are coming from a non red list country and have been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, you must book and pay for a Day 2 test which must be taken on or before day 2 following your arrival in England. Quarantine is not required when arriving to the UK while fully vaccinated.
If you are coming from a non red list country and have not been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, you must take a COVID-19 test and get a negative result during the 72 hours before you travel. You must also book and pay for a Day 2 and Day 8 test package, which includes COVID-19 tests to be taken on or before Day 2 and on or after Day 8 of your quarantine.
If you are coming from a red list country regardless of vaccination status, you must pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests upon return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). You will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish national or you have residence rights in the UK.
All arrivals must complete a passenger locator form with details of where you will quarantine when you arrive and the Day 2 test package booking reference number.
As required by the UK Government, everyone arriving who does not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England will need to:
If you are not fully vaccinated you must follow these simple steps:
Step 1
Pre-book your Day 2 PCR test before you arrive. Your booking reference number will be provided within 4 hours of confirmation of purchase. This must be used to complete your Passenger Locator Form.
Step 2
Complete a passenger locator form.
Step 3
After you arrive, you will need to take your Day 2 PCR test on or before day 2. You will only need to quarantine if it’s positive.
If you’ve paid for and made a booking, your booking reference number will be emailed to you; this could take up to 30 minutes to receive after you’ve made your booking. We suggest you also check your Spam/Junk folder for the email, as some email providers may place it there. If after 30 minutes of paying for and making your booking you have not received your email in either your Inbox or your Spam/Junk folder, please email [email protected]
Please note: your booking reference starts with ADNTP plus your unique 7 digits booking number which is assigned to you for completion of your passenger locator form.
If your airline has cancelled your travel or government requirements have changed, then you can cancel your whole arrivals package providing this cancellation is no later than the day before your first test. If your date of travel has changed, you will need to cancel and re-book.
You can stop self-isolating on day 6 if you do a rapid lateral flow test on days 5 and 6 of your self-isolation period and:
- you do the tests at least 24 hours apart
- both tests are negative
- you do not have a high temperature
For further information, read the NHS guidance on how long to self-isolate.
You can take your day 2 test any time on or before day 2 following your arrival in England.
When you arrive in England you must go straight to the place where you intend to quarantine. Only use public transport if you have no other options. Do not travel by public transport if you have any Covid-19 symptoms. Please see the government website for further details.
Yes, you are permitted to leave your quarantine location to collect or conduct your COVID-19 test but you are required to return to your quarantine location as soon as this is complete.
For full details of quarantine requirements, please see the government website.
If your day 2 test result is positive then you must quarantine for an additional 10 days from the day you took the test – further advice will be provided with your test results.
If your test shows that you have a variant of coronavirus known as a ‘variant of concern’ you will get an additional call and anyone you have been in contact with will be asked to be tested.
Please see the government website for more information.
We offer no refunds after the generation of booking reference. If you change your travel arrangement or arrival date, you can use your booking reference so long as it has not been used previously to complete a passenger locator form.
You can find more information on the passenger locator form on the government website.
