AQW 19785/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 02/06/2021
Answered On Date: 20/08/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) why travellers entering Northern Ireland from amber-list countries are unable to use free-to-order lateral flow tests for their two and eight-day post-arrival testing; (ii) under what circumstances are lateral flow tests considered an appropriate method of testing; (iii) to explain these different approaches; and (iv) to explain the reasons for the £175 per person charge for post-arrival testing kits.

Answer:

Travellers entering Northern Ireland from amber-list countries must take a post-arrival day two and day eight PCR test;

and (iii) Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) are different to PCR and are used for a different purpose.

People with symptoms of COVID-19 must continue to be tested using a PCR test.

LFDs are most effectively used for regular testing of people who are asymptomatic – that is, people who are not displaying symptoms of COVID but who may who have the virus and may be spreading it unwittingly. LFDs are effective at detecting a high viral load in an individual. These are people who are thought to be the most infectious.

The cost of a post-arrival test varies depending on the test provider and has fallen since the launch of private sector testing. .