You can now buy Covid PCR tests from Amazon, and the price will shock you

The retail firm’s PCR test is one of the cheapest on the market, with results processed at its own in-house laboratory, which has been used by Amazon for testing its staff for months. Amazon sells two types of Covid-19 tests – a general testing kit for domestic use, and the international arrivals service kit. If you’re planning on leaving the UK on a trip overseas, it’s the latter you’ll need, with prices starting from £34.99.

That compares pretty favourably to other PCR tests on the market. For example, high street pharmacist Boots offers an in-store PCR test for those who want to travel abroad (or have recently returned from abroad) for £79, while Heathrow charges £59 for a PCR test that delivers results within 48-hours and £119 for those who need their result in three hours.

There are three different types of PCR packages available to buy from Amazon, which meet the Government’s day two, day two and eight, or day two, day five and day eight test requirements.

The Amazon listing for these tests say it “fulfils government entry testing requirements and can be used for travel into the UK”. However, it does offer a test kit that isn’t suitable for international travel too, so before you hit the order button – make sure you’re purchasing the correct test.

Amazon says results of a PCR test will be sent back to you within 24 hours of your sample reaching its lab, with Royal Mail priority shipping used to send your sample to be tested.

The launch of the low cost Amazon PCR tests come amid ongoing criticism about the price of PCR tests for holidaymakers, which have been known to add hundreds of pounds to the cost of a family trip.

The Government offers free PCR tests for anyone that experiences Covid-19 symptoms, but if you’re looking to travel abroad you need to pay for a test from an approved, third-party provider.

Speaking about the launch of these new tests, Antoine Dreyfus, the Amazon director in charge of the firm’s coronavirus testing work in the UK, said: “Widespread access to reliable and affordable Covid-19 testing remains a critical tool in the fight against the spread of the virus.

“The Amazon test collection kit offers customers the convenience they’ve come to expect from Amazon.co.uk by providing access to highly accurate Covid-19 testing, at an affordable price.”

The day two PCR test from Amazon costs £34.99, while the day two and day eight test bundle costs £63.98. The most expensive bundle, the day two, five and eight package costs £95.97.

PCR testing was made compulsory for all UK arrivals at the end of November, with tests costing up to £150, depending on which provider is chosen and the speed in which results are delivered.

Number 10 has previously hit out at steep prices that holidaymakers have had to pay for private PCR tests. A spokesperson for the Government earlier this month said: “We’ve been clear that it is unacceptable for any private testing company to take advantage of holidaymakers.”