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Project Screen by Prenetics review: Private COVID-19 testing for travel
Offering some of the cheapest fit to fly tests around, Project Screen is a popular choice. Here's our analysis of what you get, and what customers say about the service.
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As of 4 October, the rules for travel are simpler. There's a red list of countries, and a non-red list. If you're planning to return to the UK, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right private COVID tests ordered, depending on where you’re travelling from and whether you've been vaccinated. One provider of these tests is Project Screen.
What is Project Screen?
Project Screen by Prenetics is a government-listed COVID test provider that says it uses technologies recommended by the World Health Organization and Public Health England, and has completed over 3 million COVID tests worldwide so far.
It offers testing in the workplace, in retail and in sport – Rio Ferdinand even makes a cameo appearance in a company promo video.
The company works with labs that are either UKAS-accredited or have applied to be.
What types of COVID tests can I get from Project Screen?
Project Screen is offering fit to fly (PCR or lateral flow), day 2 and day 5 tests (under the Test to Release scheme which operates only in England), and day 8 home test kits. It also has a “Test Pod” network across the UK with up to 190 time slots available each day at 30 locations. The pods are open-air and the tests are done as a self-swab to minimise contact. All tests apart from day 2 and day 8 are available on site.
Project Screen customer reviews
Project Screen has a score of 4.1 out of 5 on Trustpilot based on over 1,800 reviews (last updated October 2021). 65% of reviewers rated it as “Excellent”, praising its quick turnaround times, easy-to-follow instructions, professionalism of staff on-site and an overall seamless process.
While negative reviews are in the minority, some customers weren’t impressed with technical issues on the site, customer service issues and delays in test results being returned. Facebook users cited issues getting in touch with customer service, but this is for the global Project Screen page, so may not necessarily apply to the UK.
Are Project Screen tests accurate?
The company says that all its lab scientists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and are members of the Institute of Biomedical Science. Samples are processed in internationally-accredited labs with the highest levels of accuracy, achieving 100% sensitivity based on the QCED UK EQAP programme (which is an external quality assessment programme).
How long does it take to get results from Project Screen?
Once the UK-based lab has received your sample, Project Screen promises to return your results online within 24 hours.
What is Project Screen’s refund policy?
You’ll get a full refund if you cancel before the test has been dispatched. If you cancel within 2 months of the dispatch date and have not yet activated the test, you’ll get a full refund minus a £20 administration fee. If the test has been sent to the lab or activated, or the order was dispatched over 2 months ago, the company won’t give you a refund. Lateral flow tests are non-refundable after dispatch.
If you cancel an on-site appointment up to 24 hours beforehand, Project Screen will provide a full refund, otherwise you’ll be charged in full.
How much do Project Screen tests cost?
A fit to fly at-home PCR test from Project Screen costs £69 and on-site it costs £79. An at-home fit to fly lateral flow antigen test is £25. An at-home day 2 PCR on its own will set you back £69 and a bundle of day 2 and day 8 PCR tests are available for £134 (so you make a small saving). A day 5 test to release to end quarantine early is £69 at home, or £79 if you’d rather the thrill of having it done in a test pod. All at-home tests come with a free Royal Mail Tracked 24 return envelope.
Pros and cons of Project Screen
Pros
- Government-listed COVID test provider.
- 24-hour turnaround promised for all PCR tests.
- At-home and on-site testing available.
- Royal Mail tracking.
Cons
- Some customers experienced delays in test results being returned.
- Cancellation fees apply.
Our verdict: Is Project Screen any good?
Project Screen seems like a safe bet as it’s on the government list of COVID test providers (meaning it meets the minimum safety requirements to operate), it has reasonably priced testing services, it promises fast turnaround times, offers at-home and on-site testing and covers the full range of COVID tests that you could need for travel.
Although the negative reviews are in the minority, it seems that if things go wrong, contacting customer service can be a lengthy chore – which is a common criticism of almost all test providers as they try to accommodate a rapidly changing volume of tests. In fairness to Project Screen, its refund policy is fairer than most we’ve encountered, so provided you’re willing to take the risk of potentially spending a while chasing up a partial refund if things go wrong, it’s worth considering.
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