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UK arrivals - pre-departure, quarantine and post-arrival [currently no requirements]

Old Jun 4, 2020, 5:57 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: NewbieRunner
Mod note on thread engagement:

A reminder that this thread is about the self-isolation requirements for UK arrivals.

It is a help/Information resource for those travelling or returning to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from outside the UK. Let's concentrate on news, questions and answers that are relevant and on-topic and stay away from speculations about the spread of the virus, the performance of politicians and other topics which are more suitable for OMNI.

Please stay within these requirements to avoid issues.

LATEST UPDATES

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-t...virus-covid-19


18 March travel to the UK changes

If you will arrive in the UK from abroad after 4am, Friday 18 March, you do not need to:
  • take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
  • fill in a UK passenger locator form before you travel

This will apply whether you are vaccinated or not.

You also will not need to quarantine when you arrive, in line with current rules.
Other countries still have COVID-19 entry rules in place. You should check travel advice before you travel.
If you will arrive in England before 4am, 18 March, you must follow the current rules as set out in this guidance.

*****

The following historical information is retained for the time being.

The Passenger Locator Form for passengers arriving into the UK can be found here:
https://visas-immigration.service.go...r-locator-form
This can only be completed once you are within 48 hours of arrival in the UK.

Exemption list from quarantine requirements - specific details:
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...k-border-rules

England
Statutory instrument for individual passengers arriving in to England: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/582/contents (this html version is updated, but may not have the very latest updates for Statutory Instruments released in the last few days)

Test to release for England only from 15 December, see post 4776 https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32841066-post4776.html

Statutory instrument for transport providers http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2.../contents/made

Scotland
Statutory instrument for individual passengers arriving in to Scotland: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/169/contents (this html version is updated)

Wales
Statutory instrument for individual passengers arriving in to Wales: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2020/574/contents (this html version is updated) &
Welsh language version: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2...0200574_we.pdf

Northern Ireland
Statutory instrument https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2021/99/contents (this html version is updated)


PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR QUICK RELEASE FROM SELF-ISOLATION (based on November 28th updates)
[This section has been moved lower down in the wiki post following the change in self-isolation rule on 7th January 2022[

Any PCR test noted as a UK Government Day 2 test will be accepted for release from self isolation as soon as you get the negative result. If it is any other PCR test (eg "Fit to Fly") and not advertised specifically as a Day 2 test then it won't be valid.

This means that you can:[list]
  • Book a suitable Day 2 PCR test before you travel and use the booking reference for the test on the PLF (Passenger Locator Form).
    • On your day of arrival go to your scheduled test.
      • Proceed to you place of self-isolation and await the result, which will hopefully be same / next day.

        Alternatively:
        • Book any Day 2 PCR test before you travel even if you do not intend to use this test, and use the booking reference for the test on the PLF to ensure entry to the UK.
          • Note that you are not strictly required to have a PCR booking before arrival, but your carrier might not know that so you run the risk of being denied boarding
          • On your day of arrival (or before end of Day 2) go to a walk-in test centre and take a different test to the one you booked.
            • Proceed to you place of self-isolation and await the result, which will hopefully be same / next day.

        If you are leaving the UK before the end of day 2 then you do not need to take a test, but are required to self-isolate for the duration of your trip (since you do not have a negative result). Also, if you are self-isolating while waiting for a result (and hence have not been informed of a positive result and need to isolate) you may travel to leave the country.

        If you take a test and it is positive for any variant of COVID you will be required to isolate for 10 days from the date of the test.

        Whether you take a test or not you may be contacted by the UK Test and Trace system at any time if it becomes apparent that you have been in contact with another case. This is very unlikely to happen before day 3 if it is in relation to your flight to UK. Depending on the suspected / identified variant for that case and if you are fully-vaccinated by an accepted programme (see below for links to what this means and valid exemptions) :
        • Omnicron or not fully-vaccinated: You will be required to isolated for 10 days, including a bar on travel to leave the country. A negative Day 2 test does not release you from this requirement.
          • Other and fully vaccinated : You will not be required to isolate.

Test Providers for Day 2/8 tests & Day 5 Test to release
This section is for FTers to post their experience with specific providers (good or bad). Keep it brief and to the point. Please mention how the service is provided and your FT name.

DNA Workplace - Postal - Test kits arrived with me on time. Royal Mail slow for return. 5+ days for Day 2 result. #DaveS
DNA Workplace - Postal - Test kits both arrived on time, video of tests required, results by late evening Day 3 and Day 9. #TSE
ExpressTest Gatwick - Drive through - Tested early at 1000 a few times for TTR. Results came through in evening. #DaveS
NowTest - Postal - Day 2 kit arrived on time, day 8 did not. Will update with result arrival times when applicable. #wilsnunn
Collinson - Postal - Day 5 Test to Release kit arrived in time. Results and release by end of day 6. #tjcxx
CTM - Postal - Days 2/8 kits arrived together in time. Both sent results 2 days after posting. #tjcxx
Qured (Oncologica) - Postal -Day 2/8 kits arrived late. Results 3+ days from posting. #Gagravarr
Qured (Oncologica) - Postal - Day 2/8 kits arrived on time. Day 2 result on Day 5 and Day 8 result on Day 10 - happy customer! #EddLegll
Qured (Ocnologica) - Postal - Day 2/8 kits arrived on time. Day 2 result on Day 5 (after bedtime; ironically after my TTR result). #KSVVZ2015
Anglia DNA - Postal - Day 2/8 kits arrived early. (Both were labelled Day2). Results on Day 4 and Day 9. Cheapest on the list at the time, and good service/result. #tjcxx
Qured - Pre-flight test booked and bought through BA. Very efficient service. Highly recommended. #lhrsfo
Randox - Days 2 and 8. Booked two days before return, using BA discount. Kits already arrived on return. Slightly confusing instructions but manageable. Used Randox dropbox and results next day. Good. #lhrsfo
Randox - Day 2 (also used as pre departure test for a London to Milan flight). Used a drop box and results arrived at midnight the next day. #11101
Randox - Day 2 test centre - 2h30 queues outside the test centre in Waterloo. Results of antigen arrived 45 minutes later. #11101
Collinson - Test to Release at LHR T2. Good trip out! Very efficient service and well organised. Used BA discount. Results by end of day. Excellent. #lhrsfo
DAM - Test to Release in Fulham (they have many locations) - the cheapest fast turnaround TTR we have found. They promise 24 hours but in reality me, my wife, and my son (on different days) have received results inside of 12 hours. Very efficient staff as well. Princes outside of Central London as low as 99 GBP. Fulham is 129 GBP. #KSVVZ2015
Boots/Source Bioscience - days 2&8. Both packs sent in the same mail, waiting at the isolation address. Dropped off at postbox at 4pm, result back next day between 4 and 5 pm, very effective. Bought from Boots, 160, but same package sold directly bu Source Bioscience is just 120. Aaargh! Instructions said nasal and throat swabs, did only nasal and marked accordingly, no issues. #WilcoRoger
Collinsons/Stansted walkin TTR - test taken 1:30 pm, email with results 10:10 pm same day If the BA20OFF doesn't work (didn't work for us) there's another discount on the airport's site #WilcoRoger
Ordered Day-2 kit from Chronomics a week before our return for 18.99. Duly dispatched day we were returning to UK, so arrived on day following return. Reasonably simple process to do test and upload -ve result picture. Not sure where +ve result would have led to... #EsherFlyer
Hale Clinic testing centre (near Oxford Circus) - While not the least expensive, appoint schedules are accurate and results returned in promised timeframe. I've used the clinic for Day 2 tests (twice) and antigen test for US (once). I would def utilize again. #ecaarch
Halo at T5 (Sofitel) - Day 2 PCR spit test. Took the test 7pm, results arrived 7am the next day. No queues but a slightly awkward process to follow.

Useful data sources:

New cases per 100k - 7 days: https://covid19.who.int/table
New tests per 1000 - 7 days: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-testing
Vaccination doses per 100: https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations
Sequenced samples uploaded to GISAID: https://www.gisaid.org/index.php?id=208
NHS Track & Trace data (positivity rates for arriving passengers are published every three weeks, so if you can't find the data in the current release it will be in one of the previous two) https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...weekly-reports https://assets.publishing.service.go...ut_week_50.ods
UK daily COVID data https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/?_ga...827.1594116739
Risk assessment methodology to inform international travel traffic light system
Data informing international travel traffic-light risk assessments


Testing Terminology
Notes which may assist with understanding which tests to use and with "reuse" of UK tests for other countries regulations:
  • LFT: Lateral Flow Test - A rapid antigen test using nasal / throat swab typically performed by the traveler at home, hotel, etc using simple disposable device. Usually tests the "outer shell" of the nucleus (which causes the symptoms and is reasonably stable across variants) and not the "spikes" (which allow new variants to invade more easily), so gives a positive result for many variants. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-...d_antigen_test)
  • PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction - A laboratory based test which looks at the nucleus of the virus to determine which specific variant it is. After a positive LFT test ("I have some form of COVID") a PCR test ("You have the Gamma variant") allows identification and tracking of new variants to see if they are likely to become a "variant of concern". (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction)
  • NAAT: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test - A general class of laboratory based tests which includes PCR, LAMP, etc tests. (See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...b/naats.html)
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UK arrivals - pre-departure, quarantine and post-arrival [currently no requirements]

 
Old Aug 14, 2020, 8:38 am
  #2956  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,549
So if you're in Germany and drive back to the UK via the tunnel and never stop, you're good to go, right?
​​​​​​Someone mentioned the Scottish SI is stricter on this, is this true or are they wrong? I didn't notice a difference.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 8:45 am
  #2957  
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The language is the same and in fact both include transit.

SI for England
arrives in England from within the common travel area or from an exempt country or territory], and has at any time in the period beginning with the 14th day before the date of their arrival in England, departed from or transited through a non-exempt country or territory.
SI for Scotland
arrives in Scotland from elsewhere within the common travel area or from an exempt country or territory, and has within the preceding 14 days departed from or transited through a non-exempt country or territory.
I think for England at least there has been some guidance given which is referred to up thread stating if drive through a non-exempt country but do not get out you would not be required to self-isolate on return to England.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:01 am
  #2958  
 
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Originally Posted by KARFA
The language is the same and in fact both include transit.

SI for England


SI for Scotland


I think for England at least there has been some guidance given which is referred to up thread stating if drive through a non-exempt country but do not get out you would not be required to self-isolate on return to England.
its a shame France doesnt have serviced fuel stations as you can just sit in your car and get filled up ! (Like in Greece and turkey)
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:03 am
  #2959  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
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Hello! I don't know if anyone knows the answer, but would BSL be considered France or Switzerland? If a passenger arrives in the UK from BSL on a Swiss flight number, are they required to isolate or not?
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:06 am
  #2960  
 
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Originally Posted by tosaerba24
Hello! I don't know if anyone knows the answer, but would BSL be considered France or Switzerland? If a passenger arrives in the UK from BSL on a Swiss flight number, are they required to isolate or not?
no you are flying from Switzerland
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:10 am
  #2961  
 
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Originally Posted by ahmetdouas
no you are flying from Switzerland
Thanks. That's what I assumed. BSL is an interesting case as it is on French soil, and passengers from FR and CH mix up. The Home Office didn't even take this into consideration.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:21 am
  #2962  
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Originally Posted by Sailbot3310
As a side - Does anyone have the UK testing number/Positive tests from yesterday (13th August?) The data on UK.Gov isn't showing. I've been building some models as a bit of fun to try and predict/compare.
The recent figures from a UK date are
Wednesday 1009 (18.5)
Thursday 1129 (18.9)
Friday 1441 (19.8)
These get reported the next day to ECDC so Friday here is Saturday on my Excel table. The 14 day per 10,000 is in parenthesis.

The rolling 7 day death level has now fallen to below 50 for the first time since March, today's figure is 42 per day, and will fall further on the new methodology.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:25 am
  #2963  
 
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Originally Posted by tosaerba24
Thanks. That's what I assumed. BSL is an interesting case as it is on French soil, and passengers from FR and CH mix up. The Home Office didn't even take this into consideration.
you are giving the home office or whatever office decides this far too much credit!
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:33 am
  #2964  
 
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Originally Posted by ahmetdouas
I did the whole of France (Calais-Chamonix) in about 5 hours (yes I was speeding)
Calais to Chamonix is 893 km, so you must have averaged 180 km/h. Impressive.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 9:50 am
  #2965  
 
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Originally Posted by Misco60
Calais to Chamonix is 893 km, so you must have averaged 180 km/h. Impressive.
Sorry 6 hours = ) 180 itself is not that high a speed (my Mini goes 210) , but averaging that is quite difficult. My fuel stop was 5 mins.

Anyhow, what the BBC is saying is now hilarious.

​​​​​​You can stop in a remote place in France, for example to stretch your legs or walk your dog, and if you don’t have any contact with other people or enter any public spaces you will not have to quarantine for 14 days when you get back.But if you get out of your vehicle at a service station or on ferry while crossing from France to the UK, you will be required to self-isolate on your return.

​​​​​​https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-53775682

So if you stop for fuel in a self service station, like I did when I drove by France, I guess you are ok! The court case for this would be borderline hilarious if we ever got there.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 10:18 am
  #2966  
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
While I think anyone who manages to drive back from Germany and never get out of the car once deserve the fine for endangering the life of others!!! There is a hell of a lot of sense in saying that people should stop every 2 hours for a break when they drive...

More seriously, I think that the transit exemption is absurd and should actually be scrapped. As discussed upthread, it is unverifiable and unenforceable to the point of absurdity
It's actually not far at all. From the German borders, it can be as little as 2-2.5 hours to Hook of Holland and 3.5 across Belgium to the tunnel.

The last time I drove south from the Harwich - Hook ferry, I was quite a distance into Germany for my first stop.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 10:40 am
  #2967  
 
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Originally Posted by ahmetdouas
no you are flying from Switzerland
Do you have a source for this? Or is this just your opinion of how it will be treated?
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 11:00 am
  #2968  
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Originally Posted by ahmetdouas
It's easily doable. I did the whole of France (Calais-Chamonix) in about 5 hours (yes I was speeding) and only stopped once for fuel for 5 minutes, but that was mainly because I was driving so fast my fuel economy was terrible! So with a diesel and slow driving, you can drive the whole of France without stopping.
"The whole of France" is actually your choice of Brest to Menton (about 1500km), or if you want shorter distances, Calais-Perpignan or Strasbourg-Biarritz (both about 1200km). I'd be very much in favour of cancelling the licence of any public hazard who believes that it is a good idea to drive any of those distances without stopping several times. In fact, if a truck driver or coach driver does half of that distance without stopping, they'd face a serious risk of getting a jail sentence. The 180km/h (even for only a short period of time) will also earn you an immediate license retention in many countries, France included (in theory, your car may also be confiscated though it is unlikely to happen if this is your first high speed offence). I can confirm that if you finish your trip by foot, you are liable to self-quarantine upon arriving in the UK
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 11:17 am
  #2969  
 
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Originally Posted by tosaerba24
Hello! I don't know if anyone knows the answer, but would BSL be considered France or Switzerland? If a passenger arrives in the UK from BSL on a Swiss flight number, are they required to isolate or not?
Common sense would suggest that it will depend on what country you were in before flying home.
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Old Aug 14, 2020, 11:28 am
  #2970  
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Originally Posted by orbitmic

More seriously, I think that the transit exemption is absurd and should actually be scrapped. As discussed upthread, it is unverifiable and unenforceable to the point of absurdity
You mean like the whole UK quarantine policy?
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