Edinburgh holiday couple sent Covid result - before they even had a test

A COUPLE needing a Covid test before flying on holiday to Tenerife got their results back – before they had even had the test.

Jim and Jane Findlay, from Musselburgh, booked online for a test at Edinburgh Airport on December 30, two days before they leave for the ten-day break with a group of friends

But the confirmation email from Express Test said they had been given slots on December 6. They tried phoning to get the date changed, but were then shocked to get an email the following day saying they had tested negative – even though they had never gone for the test.

Mr Findlay, 64, said: “We’re going on holiday on January 1 and you’ve got to have a Covid test 48-72 hours before you fly for a certificate to get into Tenerife.

Jim and Jane Findlay have been offered a refund and their tests for free

"We each got an email to say we had passed the Covid test and we’ve not even been for the test. And the money was taken out of the bank account – £80 each.”

The emails said they had had a test involving sampling of the throat and nose and concluded: “SARS-CoV-2 RNA Not Detected (negative for infection)”.

But the couple were left unsure how they could sort out the confusion.

Mrs Findlay, 60, said: "It’s really stressful when you think you’ve paid for a holiday you could lose because you’ve not had your Covid test.”

After the Evening News contacted Express Test, Mr Findlay got a call from the firm saying there had been a computer error and offering them a refund of their money.

"He was all apologetic and they’re giving us the tests for free, so that’s a positive result. This sort of thing shouldn’t have happened, but maybe this will help someone else in the same situation.”

A spokesman for the company said: “We are aware of a customer receiving a negative test result when they had not yet taken their test. This was an isolated incident that occurred as a result of a technical issue with their specific booking and we have spoken directly to Mr and Mrs Findlay to rearrange their test. All of our tests are closely and accurately monitored and any customer who tests positive for Covid-19 is contacted directly by our team and reported to the public health authorities.”

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