Frequently Asked Questions
How can I book a test
You can book online Here or by visting: https://blackandbantonoh.co.uk/testtorelease/start/
How does the process work?
The ‘Test to Release’ scheme is for people who need to self-isolate on arrival in England.
Black and Banton is a Government approved provider (link) of this service.
This scheme allows passengers arriving at the UK from a destination that does not have a Travel Corridor to take a test after 5 days, and if negative, be released from the 10-day quarantine restriction.
For a full and comprehensive understanding of the scheme please use this link to the government website which explains the process in full. Link to Government website pages
When Can I Take a Test?
The earliest you can take a test is 5-full days after you left the non-exempt country, territory or region.
When You Can Stop Self Isolating
If the test is negative, you can stop self-isolating as soon as you get the result.
If the test is positive you need to self-isolate for another 10 days. Count the 10 days starting from the day you took the test, or from when you first had symptoms if that is earlier.
If you’re living or staying with someone in the UK they should also self-isolate for 10 days, starting from the day you took the test.
If the test is inconclusive you also need to self-isolate for another 10 days. You can stop self-isolating if you take another test through Black and Banton, and the result is negative.
What You Need to Do
You must complete a passenger locator form * before you arrive in the UK. This form can be submitted at anytime 48 hours before you arrive in the UK. You must also provide proof of a negative coronavirus test (taken within 72 hours) before you leave for the UK – this will be required by the company you are travelling with.
*for the passenger locator form you need:
• your passport details.
• your travel details, including times and dates.
• the address where you will stay in the UK (if applicable).
• a booking reference number from Black and Banton, if you’re using Test to Release to find out if you can end self-isolation early.
You can book a ‘Test to Release’ appointment through Black and Banton Web site: https://blackandbanton/covid19testtoreleasescheme and get a booking reference before completing the passenger locator form.
Can I speak to someone prior to booking?
You can email our covid-19 team at covidteam@blackandbanton.co.uk with any queries one of ur knowledgeable clinicians will endeavour to answer your inquiry, usually within 24 hrs.
What happens when I book my test?
You simply fill in the online questionnaire, make a payment online. You will then be sent a booking confirmation; bring this with you to your appointment along with your passport.
What is the cost of a test?
A Test to Release test is priced at £99.00 per person. This includes free parking at Kingfisher House, Team Valley whilst you have the test, which will be undertaken by a qualified clinician, and analysed by our channel partner at their quality approved testing facilities.
We require payment at the booking stage which can be made online. You can, where an arrangement exists, claim the amount back through your university department. Please speak to your line manager to confirm how you can claim this amount back.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations up to 48 hours prior to appointment can be refunded in full minus a £15, administration fee per test.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of an appointment can be refunded 50%.
For rescheduled flights, you can change the date of your test to accommodate the time change if a suitable appointment time is available.
What happens when you arrive for a test?
Once you have parked and reported to the main entrance door you will be instructed on each step of the journey through the test centre, reporting first to the reception. When instructed, you will be called forward for your test. You will then be given more instructions and talked through the process.
The details completed online will be confirmed and your swab test will then be performed by one of our testing clinicians, who will explain in full the nature of the procedure before they proceed. The whole procedure from start to finish will take around 15 minutes on average to complete.
Your result will be emailed to you directly from the laboratory in the form of a pdf certificate of analysis which can be printed off to be used as a travel certificate and will be dated as when sample confirmed.
Getting Results?
If you have been a client of Black and Banton previously and we already have an email address saved on your record, we advise you to use the same email address when booking your appointment. This will ensure you receive your booking confirmation via the same email.
If you are a new client, you can use any email address to receive your booking confirmation.
If there are several members of your group and you require multiple tests, appointments will need to be booked for each of you separately.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes, you will receive a certificate via email within 24-48 hours of your test.
Black and Banton Location
Our Test to Release centre is located at Kingfisher House, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE110JQ, North East of England, our Testing Clinic is open from 9.00pm – 5.00pm or by special arrangement.
All within easy reach of Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, and Scotland.
Or you can call our admin team to discuss your appointment 0191 481 4085.
Payment online or over the phone before arrival by card transaction is preferred.
Who carries out the testing?
All of our Covid-19 tests are carried out by a trained Black and Banton Clinician who take the sampling (Nasal and Throat swabs). The Samples will be transported to a Lab for processing.
It is also possible to Self Swab, Black and Banton will supply you with full kit and Instruction sheet.
What do I do if my test is positive?
If your result reports to be positive you must follow the latest government guidelines on self-isolation which can be found here. Government Guidelines
What if my test is invalid?
The sample will be retested. This may cause delay to your result being sent to you and you may not be able to obtain a result within your timeframe. In most cases, you will receive the result after an invalid test has been retested. The incidence of an invalid test is 1:1000. We have reduced the risk of invalid tests and false negatives considerably by providing a face-to-face testing service which helps to ensure an adequate sample is collected.
