What You Should Know About the Lateral Flow Test for COVID-19

5 Min Read
Shutterstock Photo License - By Jarun Ontakrai

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the biggest health crises of a generation. People still have many questions about the coronavirus that led to global lockdowns and caused the deaths of over 5 million people and counting.

As we continue to wade through the pandemic, we are starting to take new measures to improve testing and treatments. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to conduct COVID-19 tests more efficiently. This is actually becoming as important now as it was at the beginning of the pandemic, since the delta variant is spreading more quickly and people are doing less social distancing.

With more and more travel restrictions being lifted across the world, in addition to many more industries abandoning social distancing measures, the importance of regular COVID-19 testing and vaccination is becoming clear for many different nations across the world. Let’s take a more in-depth look at why the use of the lateral flow test is becoming such an important tool in the battle against COVID-19 and it’s growing use across the world.

Understanding How the Lateral Flow Test Works

  • The lateral flow test is a relatively simple test which is easy to use and understand. The test works by taking either a throat and nose swab or alternatively just a nose swab only from whoever is taking the test.
  • The testing sample is then dipped into a liquid provided in the testing kit.
  • Once this has been done, the liquid that the swab has been put in is then added to the testing kit using a tube supplied. The testing kit is then left for around thirty minutes before getting the result of the test.
  • The test result will be shown by a line displaying on the test.  One line typically means that your test has been recorded as negative for coronavirus, whereas as a lateral flow test with two lines may indicate that your test has been recorded as positive for COVID-19.

Lateral Flow Tests for Travel

In addition to regular testing, lateral flow tests may also be sought after for travel to destinations around the world. Government guidance now indicates that a test must be administered in most instances of travel to countries outside of the UK. You should take multiple lateral flow tests or PCR tests in order to confirm that you are not infected with COVID-19.

These lateral flow tests can be sourced from a variety of different private organizations and companies. Randox is of the best providers of this type of test due to their skills and experience in the field as well as the fact that these tests are very much widely available through this organization at a variety of accessible and easy to find testing centers across the UK.

What Are the Benefits of This Kind of Test?

Overall, there is a very wide range of different benefits when it comes to using the lateral flow test for people that want travel to another country.  Some of the main kinds of benefits that travelers can realize from these tests will include the following:

  • Value for money – Lateral flow tests are cheap and affordable.
  • Ease of use- Instructions for the use of these tests are widely available online. They are easy to use dispose of.
  • Results- Results of the test can be returned in as little as 30 minutes. This makes it an ideal tool for getting test results quickly.
  • Availability- due to the scale of the production of these tests, they are widely available online as well as at designated testing sites.

Is This Test A Good Option For Travelers?

Based on the research that we have gathered; we believe without doubt that this kind of test if a good option for travelers. Time is by far one of the most important considerations many holidaymakers and travelers need to make before travelling. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that these tests are amongst the fastest available.

They are also very affordable which makes them perfect for travelers travelling on a budget. To conclude, the use of lateral flow tests is highly effective and something that more travelers should consider when travelling abroad from the UK.

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