British holidaymakers have complained of missing return flights because of long delays by a Government-approved Covid test provider. Various Government departments have attempted to pass the buck for resolving the matter, with the Department of Health concluding that the provider will be removed from the Government’s website if it continues failing to meet certain standards. The Sun has the story.
Qured promises users a “fit-to-fly” certificate within 30 to 40 minutes of receiving a negative test done via a video call.
But customers tell of hours of delays, making them miss return flights.
Others have complained that the firm’s £39 test kits were not delivered to their homes on time before they were due to fly out – meaning they could not leave.
One said of trying to get home: “Almost 24 hours later and no fit-to-fly certificate, despite a negative result in 20 minutes.”
The holidaymaker takes the test while on a video call to Qured and emails a picture of the result.
Confirmation is due back in the form of an official medical certificate, meaning they are fit to fly…
Qured said: “While the timings of delivery and results are generally accurate, they are subject to change due to circumstances out of our control.”
The Foreign Office said it was an issue for the Department for Transport.
The Department for Transport said it was an issue for the Department of Health.
The Department of Health said: “If a provider is failing to meet required standards, they get a five-day warning and are then removed from the gov.uk list.”
Qured is rated 2.4 out of five on Google Reviews and has received a good deal of criticism in recent days. One user commented on Friday: “I [am] deeply distressed and concerned. I did my online Covid test at 2:15 today (Friday) to enable me to return back to the U.K. on Saturday. I have not had my results back (this was now over 10 hours ago). My account does not show that the test has been undertaken let alone provide me with the ability to download my certificate to fly. Without this, I cannot book into my flight and am at risk of missing my flight altogether.” Another said: “If they can’t handle the volume of tests then they shouldn’t book so many appointments. This is really not acceptable.” Similar reviews can be found on Trustpilot, despite the firm having an average rating of 3.4 out of five.
The Government’s list of Covid test providers – which still features this firm – was last updated on May 28th.
The Sun report is worth reading in full.
