Our secure rabies testing laboratory will be closed temporarily to ensure the laboratory and
equipment are maintained to the highest standard. The temporary closure will enable our
engineers to gain access for servicing. All other areas of our business will remain open during
this period.

This will be done in January 2022, with a timetable as follows:

17 Jan 22 (Mon) Last tests will be set up
19 Jan 22 (Wed) Tests from 17 Jan 22 will be read and reported.
21 Jan 22 (Fri) No testing
01 Feb 22 (Tues) Normal testing resumes (Subject to engineer service sign off).
03 Feb 22 (Thurs) First results will be reported.

This means that for the approximate period of twelve days, no rabies results will be available.

As with previous shutdowns we will clear the backlog as quickly as possible to enable your
results to get back to you within our usual normal published timescales.
Express Testing will not be available between 19 Jan 22 and 31 Jan 22 as the unit is closed and
no tests can be set up, regardless of their urgency. As mentioned above normal testing will
resume on Tues 01 Feb 22 subject to engineer service sign off.
If you are aware that any clients require certificates before 21 Jan 22 we would encourage you
to send in samples as soon as possible. This will avoid client disappointment where we cannot
put the sample on test.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information regarding the
shutdown.

Biobest will be open over Christmas as normal but please note that the testing days for Respiratory PCR will be different. Double check the table below before sending samples and please note the following instructions.

• Samples should be sent using a specified service on the highlighted days so that they are received at the laboratory within a specified time.
• If samples have been taken and the recommendation is not to post then samples should be frozen and sent to us on the next highlighted posting day preferably with freezer packs/blocks to ensure they remain frozen.
• If samples are sent out-with the recommended dates they will not be able to be stored correctly once they are in transit/arrive at the laboratory.

Please refer to the Respiratory PCR section on Biobest website for guidance on suitable sample types https://biobest.co.uk/sending-samples/