A student from the University of St Andrews takes a swab for a lateral-flow test in a mass testing centre. AFP
A student from the University of St Andrews takes a swab for a lateral-flow test in a mass testing centre. AFP
A student from the University of St Andrews takes a swab for a lateral-flow test in a mass testing centre. AFP
A student from the University of St Andrews takes a swab for a lateral-flow test in a mass testing centre. AFP

I’m going home for Christmas – how do I get a Covid test in the UK?


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Britons have been granted a temporary reprieve from coronavirus restrictions over Christmas.

Many are eager to see family and friends after enduring nearly a month of lockdown and other harsh restrictions across the country.

However, as travel is permitted, many of those returning home have asked how they can take a coronavirus test to help stop the disease from spreading. Those questions are answered here.

Can I get a free test?

You should only order a free NHS test if you are displaying symptoms of coronavirus or have been asked to by your council.

The main symptoms include a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, and a loss of, or change in, your sense of smell or taste.

If you are displaying symptoms, the government advises you to get tested as soon as possible. You can visit your nearest testing centre or order a home kit.

What if I don’t have symptoms?

People who are not showing symptoms can order a private test. A range of health providers offer the coronavirus tests for a fee. Boots, the UK’s largest pharmacy, offers the test for £120 ($160) with results made available within 48 hours.

What kind of coronavirus test will I get?

People who order a private coronavirus test are most likely to receive a PCR (lab-based) test, with results available between 24 and 48 hours after a swab.

Some healthcare providers offer lateral flow rapid Covid swabs, which can deliver a result in less than an hour, but these are not widely available.

A member of the community swabbing team carries out a doorstep COVID-19 test following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Chadderton. Reuters
A member of the community swabbing team carries out a doorstep COVID-19 test following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Chadderton. Reuters

However, the government has made rapid coronavirus testing available to all cities placed in Tier 3, including Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham and Bristol.

Anyone in a Tier 3 area – whether displaying symptoms or not – is eligible for a Covid-19 test. England returns to its tier system on December 2.

When should you get tested?

People returning home should calculate the correct time to take a test.

If planned too early, there is more time to catch the virus before meeting friends and family. Plan it too late, and there is the risk of results coming back after you head off, a potential risk if you happen to test positive.

Lab-based tests, the most common, take between 24 and 48 hours to return a result.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)

Engine 5.2-litre V10

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch

Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est) 

Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Match info:

Burnley 0

Manchester United 2
Lukaku (22', 44')

Red card: Marcus Rashford (Man United)

Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)

Tuesday results:

  • Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
  • UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets

Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
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ASHES FIXTURES

1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27 
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8

Race card:

6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.

8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.

8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.

9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.

10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

Race results:

1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min

2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec

3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

West Indies v England ODI series:

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.

Fixtures:

1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown

2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown

3rd ODI - February 25, St George's

4th ODI - February 27, St George's

5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet