Jun 4, 2020, 5:57 am
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.
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.
- 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.
- Proceed to you place of self-isolation and await the result, which will hopefully be same / next day.
- On your day of arrival go to your scheduled test.
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)
UK arrivals - pre-departure, quarantine and post-arrival [currently no requirements]
May 1, 2021, 12:31 am
#7261
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
Hoping the idea is to keep people from getting sick not avoid cases. If the majority of a population is immune to serious illness based on vaccinations, what’s the worry? Requiring multiple PCR tests for vaccinated persons is questionable. Goes against the common understanding of how vaccines work. The jabs have been going into people for 5 months. If people were thought to spread covid regularly after the jab, we’d know it by now. If we can’t have any cases and don’t trust that the vaccines work, might just as well lock in forever.
So the testing requirements for vaccinated people are at odds with the vaccination policy or the rationale behind it.
That's why I wonder if political pressure will cause the authorities to reconsider the testing requirements or adding more green countries.
May 1, 2021, 12:34 am
#7262
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 963
What that Telegraph story is a pre-event article, indicating that the 17 May date is on (recently it hasn't been in any doubt) but illustrating how the presentation will be made. Namely next week around 5 to 7 May, either with the list of countries given or that following a day or two later, to avoid questions on "why country X?" during the press briefing. There are elections on Thursday and results on Friday, so that means it's more likely to be Wednesday I guess. But we will find out whether self administered LFD is OK for pre-arrival testing. I can't see HMG budging on the day2 PCR test due to the genome sequencing issue. We may hear a bit more on the digital vaccine certificate, which was trialled last week with some NHS staff.
The source of the story is clearly Shapps, so if he saying "about 10 countries" are Green then we can take it at face value. Shapps tends to leak stories in order to make it harder to row back on a policy that he thinks has been agreed. The PM may want to make the list a bit larger than that, notably whether USA is Green or not. Most of the factors are in America's favour, but the level of infection remains stubbonly high - five times the level of Britain - for a country that started vaccine rollout at pretty much the same time as the UK. On the other hand there are recent signs of this reducing downwards. I would expect the list to be a lot longer by end of June.
The source of the story is clearly Shapps, so if he saying "about 10 countries" are Green then we can take it at face value. Shapps tends to leak stories in order to make it harder to row back on a policy that he thinks has been agreed. The PM may want to make the list a bit larger than that, notably whether USA is Green or not. Most of the factors are in America's favour, but the level of infection remains stubbonly high - five times the level of Britain - for a country that started vaccine rollout at pretty much the same time as the UK. On the other hand there are recent signs of this reducing downwards. I would expect the list to be a lot longer by end of June.
May 1, 2021, 12:34 am
#7263
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
The source of the story is clearly Shapps, so if he saying "about 10 countries" are Green then we can take it at face value. Shapps tends to leak stories in order to make it harder to row back on a policy that he thinks has been agreed. The PM may want to make the list a bit larger than that, notably whether USA is Green or not. Most of the factors are in America's favour, but the level of infection remains stubbonly high - five times the level of Britain - for a country that started vaccine rollout at pretty much the same time as the UK. On the other hand there are recent signs of this reducing downwards. I would expect the list to be a lot longer by end of June.
As long as the hospitals are not being threatened to be overrun, anything goes in some parts of the country.
It would not surprise me if the same hot-weather states see high levels of new cases in the summer as occurred last summer because those are the states which have little or no restrictions.
But even states which have been more circumspect most of the winter and spring are now starting to loosen things up as summer approaches, with promises of being completely open soon.
So don't put it past Americans to mess it up again.
May 1, 2021, 12:50 am
#7264
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 963
Well some states have very little in the way of lockdowns.
As long as the hospitals are not being threatened to be overrun, anything goes in some parts of the country.
It would not surprise me if the same hot-weather states see high levels of new cases in the summer as occurred last summer because those are the states which have little or no restrictions.
But even states which have been more circumspect most of the winter and spring are now starting to loosen things up as summer approaches, with promises of being completely open soon.
So don't put it past Americans to mess it up again.
As long as the hospitals are not being threatened to be overrun, anything goes in some parts of the country.
It would not surprise me if the same hot-weather states see high levels of new cases in the summer as occurred last summer because those are the states which have little or no restrictions.
But even states which have been more circumspect most of the winter and spring are now starting to loosen things up as summer approaches, with promises of being completely open soon.
So don't put it past Americans to mess it up again.
Last edited by KSVVZ2015; May 1, 2021 at 1:40 am
May 1, 2021, 3:08 am
#7265
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
What that Telegraph story is a pre-event article, indicating that the 17 May date is on (recently it hasn't been in any doubt) but illustrating how the presentation will be made. Namely next week around 5 to 7 May, either with the list of countries given or that following a day or two later, to avoid questions on "why country X?" during the press briefing. There are elections on Thursday and results on Friday, so that means it's more likely to be Wednesday I guess. But we will find out whether self administered LFD is OK for pre-arrival testing. I can't see HMG budging on the day2 PCR test due to the genome sequencing issue. We may hear a bit more on the digital vaccine certificate, which was trialled last week with some NHS staff.
The source of the story is clearly Shapps, so if he saying "about 10 countries" are Green then we can take it at face value. Shapps tends to leak stories in order to make it harder to row back on a policy that he thinks has been agreed. The PM may want to make the list a bit larger than that, notably whether USA is Green or not. Most of the factors are in America's favour, but the level of infection remains stubbonly high - five times the level of Britain - for a country that started vaccine rollout at pretty much the same time as the UK. On the other hand there are recent signs of this reducing downwards. I would expect the list to be a lot longer by end of June.
The source of the story is clearly Shapps, so if he saying "about 10 countries" are Green then we can take it at face value. Shapps tends to leak stories in order to make it harder to row back on a policy that he thinks has been agreed. The PM may want to make the list a bit larger than that, notably whether USA is Green or not. Most of the factors are in America's favour, but the level of infection remains stubbonly high - five times the level of Britain - for a country that started vaccine rollout at pretty much the same time as the UK. On the other hand there are recent signs of this reducing downwards. I would expect the list to be a lot longer by end of June.
May 1, 2021, 3:13 am
#7266
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
Isn't that the case anyway based on the posts yesterday saying the ban on non EU/EEA citizens entering will be extended to end of May?
May 1, 2021, 3:16 am
#7267
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
See my post 7243 for the document.
May 1, 2021, 3:18 am
#7268
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
What that Telegraph story is a pre-event article, indicating that the 17 May date is on (recently it hasn't been in any doubt) but illustrating how the presentation will be made. Namely next week around 5 to 7 May, either with the list of countries given or that following a day or two later, to avoid questions on "why country X?" during the press briefing. There are elections on Thursday and results on Friday, so that means it's more likely to be Wednesday I guess. But we will find out whether self administered LFD is OK for pre-arrival testing. I can't see HMG budging on the day2 PCR test due to the genome sequencing issue. We may hear a bit more on the digital vaccine certificate, which was trialled last week with some NHS staff.
The source of the story is clearly Shapps, so if he saying "about 10 countries" are Green then we can take it at face value. Shapps tends to leak stories in order to make it harder to row back on a policy that he thinks has been agreed. The PM may want to make the list a bit larger than that, notably whether USA is Green or not. Most of the factors are in America's favour, but the level of infection remains stubbonly high - five times the level of Britain - for a country that started vaccine rollout at pretty much the same time as the UK. On the other hand there are recent signs of this reducing downwards. I would expect the list to be a lot longer by end of June.
The source of the story is clearly Shapps, so if he saying "about 10 countries" are Green then we can take it at face value. Shapps tends to leak stories in order to make it harder to row back on a policy that he thinks has been agreed. The PM may want to make the list a bit larger than that, notably whether USA is Green or not. Most of the factors are in America's favour, but the level of infection remains stubbonly high - five times the level of Britain - for a country that started vaccine rollout at pretty much the same time as the UK. On the other hand there are recent signs of this reducing downwards. I would expect the list to be a lot longer by end of June.
I know we need at least one PCR test from wherever you come from for genome sequencing and accuracy I guess - but why can't we have a mix of antigen/lateral flow for amber/red arrivals?
May 1, 2021, 3:35 am
#7269
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
This isn’t good news. It would essentially result in an ongoing ban until June. Limited options with enormous expense. Why would a family bother? There is playing it safe but it seems the U.K. is running from ghosts that aren’t there. No variant yet has been shown to defeat the vaccines. Most of the vulnerable now jabbed. It’s complete madness that’s going to bankrupt the travel industry.
1. They will have a very minimal amount of countries to visit;
2. They will most likely have to shell out for 2 sets of expensive PCR tests (before they leave the UK and when they get back), as well as a test before coming back to the UK
May 1, 2021, 3:40 am
#7270
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
The next review is at the end of June, so this effectively kills the summer season for aviation. You don't need to be a genius to realise how many companies will go under and hundreds of thousands will lose livelihoods.
May 1, 2021, 4:19 am
#7271
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Kazakhstan
Programs: BA Gold, AirAstana Silver (much use as chocolate teapot)
Posts: 867
More convinced than ever that the system is just not joined up...
May 1, 2021, 4:26 am
#7272
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 963
This won't change much for many. It's good news that its finally not illegal for someone to leave the country, however, this will still keep tourists away and not allow families to travel. I'm happy that I can finally see my fiance after 6 months, however, I understand that is a selfish view, because this does nothing for millions of people in the travel industry.
The next review is at the end of June, so this effectively kills the summer season for aviation. You don't need to be a genius to realise how many companies will go under and hundreds of thousands will lose livelihoods.
The next review is at the end of June, so this effectively kills the summer season for aviation. You don't need to be a genius to realise how many companies will go under and hundreds of thousands will lose livelihoods.
your passion on this subject now makes sense as I didn’t know you are separated from your fiancé. I’m sorry. Where is he or she? I will have to say I’m surprised you actually let the non essential travel ban keep you apart given the loopholes. I did transatlantic with my fiancé and we saw each other roughly every theee weeks. I can asssure you BJ would not have changed that!!!
May 1, 2021, 5:01 am
#7273
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
I take your point but I think it’s still a bit more pessimistic. Last I read there is a big Increase in demand for July/august traditional EU holidays. And green or amber there are still many Whobare happy to take a holiday before that.
your passion on this subject now makes sense as I didn’t know you are separated from your fiancé. I’m sorry. Where is he or she? I will have to say I’m surprised you actually let the non essential travel ban keep you apart given the loopholes. I did transatlantic with my fiancé and we saw each other roughly every theee weeks. I can asssure you BJ would not have changed that!!!
your passion on this subject now makes sense as I didn’t know you are separated from your fiancé. I’m sorry. Where is he or she? I will have to say I’m surprised you actually let the non essential travel ban keep you apart given the loopholes. I did transatlantic with my fiancé and we saw each other roughly every theee weeks. I can asssure you BJ would not have changed that!!!
She's in Paris. And I'm aware there are many people in worse situations, such as a couple of close friends in the industry who have lost jobs permanently (pilot and check in agent). We didn't use loopholes I guess because of me - I particularly just don't want to break any rules, and in some part I was hopeful that the government would turn around and actually make travel feasible - which IMO they haven't. My passion has come from the fact that thousands being separated from loved ones - and the insensitivity of those that have said we should shut down travel because people don't need a holiday. In my case, I'm still not going on holiday and probably won't for a while.
May 1, 2021, 5:22 am
#7274
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Landed T5 around 1pm yesterday. No lines at immigration, met by 2 officers in front of the E gates, did a quick check of docs, tried 2 different machines but still had to see an officer. Even though I had my day 2 and 8 booking code on the form, they still wanted to see the email, although I am not required to show proof. I didn't want to argue after a long flight, but system still doesn't seem it works as good as it could.
May 1, 2021, 5:34 am
#7275
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,964
Landed T5 around 1pm yesterday. No lines at immigration, met by 2 officers in front of the E gates, did a quick check of docs, tried 2 different machines but still had to see an officer. Even though I had my day 2 and 8 booking code on the form, they still wanted to see the email, although I am not required to show proof. I didn't want to argue after a long flight, but system still doesn't seem it works as good as it could.
On the point about the border force officer, you are obliged to include the the name of the provider of the tests and the reference number on the PLF as you did of course. However the BF officer (or a police officer) is explicitly allowed to ask to see evidence, so you are obliged to provide evidence if requested - so I think arguing wouldn't have got you very far in that case.
Last edited by KARFA; May 1, 2021 at 5:42 am