Pre-arrival Test Requirement Scrapped?
Jan 5, 2022, 9:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LHR/SEA/YVR
Programs: BAEC G/*O E
Posts: 917
Pre-arrival Test Requirement Scrapped?
Per Boris Johnson and a tweet from Grant Shapps Covid tests will not be requried if arriving in England after 4 am on Friday, January 7. My flight is on the 8th. Wonder if I shall cancel my testing appointment with Qured and hope systems are updated and agents allow me to board, or shall I play safe and still have a test ready?
Last edited by luitje; Jan 5, 2022 at 9:46 am
Jan 5, 2022, 9:47 am
#2
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,914
Moreover the Day 2 PCR test is replaced with a LFD test and the self isolation requirement removed for those fully vaccinated. These rules come in to affect at 04:00 on Sunday, 9 January 2022.
Last edited by Tobias-UK; Jan 5, 2022 at 11:15 am Reason: Corrected start date of LFD test
Jan 5, 2022, 9:56 am
#3
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
problem is none of the providers are offering day 2 lateral flow tests ( hopefully they will appear in a few hours) as now without booking a lateral flow for day 2 I will be denied boarding. Yougov have still not updated their websites but perhaps I need to be a bit patient I fly sauurday morning.
Jan 5, 2022, 9:59 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,183
problem is none of the providers are offering day 2 lateral flow tests ( hopefully they will appear in a few hours) as now without booking a lateral flow for day 2 I will be denied boarding. Yougov have still not updated their websites but perhaps I need to be a bit patient I fly sauurday morning.
Tried to use them last time, but the rules changed to PCR. They gave a refund promptly without any action on my part.
Jan 5, 2022, 10:01 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,745
Simplytestme are - https://www.simplytestme.co.uk/
Tried to use them last time, but the rules changed to PCR. They gave a refund promptly without any action on my part.
Tried to use them last time, but the rules changed to PCR. They gave a refund promptly without any action on my part.
Not going to please a lot these companies. A lot of chopping and changing etc.
Are they having issues getting hold of lateral flow tests, or is it just the NHS ones.
Jan 5, 2022, 10:01 am
#6
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
Haven’t booked anything as heard travel policy likely to change so haven’t forked out any money yet. Will wait and hope some providers update their websites so I can complete my UK locator form
Jan 5, 2022, 10:03 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,986
Jan 5, 2022, 10:06 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philly
Programs: AA, BA, NH, TP
Posts: 737
With this change - I wonder if the BA arrival lounge will reopen for flights arriving after 4am on Fri 7th Jan.
Jan 5, 2022, 10:08 am
#10
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
thanks for that just checked their website but nothing available till next week! This could be a problem guess I might have to still book an expensive PCR just to be able to get back. Will wait a bit and see if others have availability but think this is going to be the same problem with other companies. Ugh never gets easier!
Jan 5, 2022, 10:13 am
#11
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
thought the same. Ridiculous thing is that last flight that required LF tests on day 2 ( randox) didn’t work so to be sure we were not infectious used an NHS one I had in reserve which worked fine. There was no requirement to report the result. Main problem will be that I won’t be allowed to fill in UK locator form without one. So much for things getting easier but still early days. As usual government announcement lacks clarity but nothing new
Jan 5, 2022, 10:33 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Berkshire, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, VS Gold, HH Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 116
"After arrival in England, all fully vaxxed people & under 18s will now only need to take a LATERAL FLOW test (instead of a PCR test) if they arrive after 4am Sunday 9 Jan.
Free NHS lateral flow tests CANNOT be used for international travel, to protect NHS capacity [4/6]"
Jan 5, 2022, 10:34 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,986
thanks for that just checked their website but nothing available till next week! This could be a problem guess I might have to still book an expensive PCR just to be able to get back. Will wait a bit and see if others have availability but think this is going to be the same problem with other companies. Ugh never gets easier!
Jan 5, 2022, 10:45 am
#15
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
I am flying back Saturday so will miss having to book an LF by one day. Seems that the cut off is Sunday so you should be ok