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 4, 2021, 2:59 pm
#7381
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,664
You arrive on day 0. To avoid paying for day 8, you would need to leave by the end of day 7. If you pay for the day 8 test, you can leave any time from day 8 onwards without actually taking the test (it appears). You would not be able to leave self isolation until you have a negative result from the day 8 test, unless you have used the day 5 test to release. However, leaving the country is a valid reason to leave self isolation. There is the so far unexplained lack of requirement to actually take the day 8 test if you have used TTR.
May 4, 2021, 3:44 pm
#7382
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...se-abroad.html
...it's saying we can use the free NHS LFDs:
Whitehall sources told the Mail that fast-turnaround tests would be made available free of charge to people travelling abroad to cut the hassle and expense of getting a pre-return test in a foreign country.
...it's saying we can use the free NHS LFDs:
Whitehall sources told the Mail that fast-turnaround tests would be made available free of charge to people travelling abroad to cut the hassle and expense of getting a pre-return test in a foreign country.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; May 5, 2021 at 12:46 am Reason: Merge to comply with rule 7 & remove comment no longer needed
May 4, 2021, 4:06 pm
#7383
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,302
Holidaymakers are to be given Covid screening packs to use abroad... but you will still have to pay £50 for gold standard one back in UK
- Whitehall sources said travellers will be given free Covid tests under new plans
- Fast-turnaround tests made available free of charge to those travelling abroad
- PM to confirm on Friday that ban on foreign holidays will be lifted on May 17
Travellers will be issued with free Covid tests to take abroad under plans to help make foreign holidays a reality.
May 4, 2021, 6:26 pm
#7384
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, BA Silver, Marriott Plat., Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis First
Posts: 917
This article from The Guardian calls into question the accuracy / finality of the list of countries up-thread...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...sential-travel
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...sential-travel
May 4, 2021, 11:56 pm
#7385
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: RSW & HDS (Naples, Florida & Hoedspruit, South Africa); frequently flying via JNB, EWR, IAD, ORD
Programs: UA Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Silver, AA
Posts: 396
Just wanted to share our experience of recent arrival at LHR. If there is a more appropriate place to post this (mods) please feel free to move. Mom and I flew May 3 from MIA to LHR via BA208 for the purpose of obtaining her eye treatments for macular degeneration in Kingston upon Thames. At the check-in counter in MIA we were asked to produce copies of our negative covid test results and our passenger locator forms. Flight was very empty, about 40 people on board total. Upon arrival at LHR T5 May 4 around 9:30AM, an hour ahead of schedule, the immigration queue was very short and we were through in about five minutes. The immigration agent checked our passports, passenger locator forms, negative covid test results, and letter from my mom's doctor attesting to her requiring macular degeneration treatments and my accompanying her due to her visual impairment. The agent asked when her treatments would begin and we said "today." He said that would not be possible as we would be required to quarantine for 10 days first. We informed him about the quarantine exception for medical treatment, and after his colleague in the adjacent booth confirmed our understanding, we were on our way. We had pre-booked our "Day 2 or sooner" Covid test with Collinson at T5 and got our swabs immediately after retrieving baggage (90 minutes earlier than our appointments, but the testing staff did not seem to be adhering to appointment times very strictly and we were able to walk right in after showing our paperwork). We have also booked our Day 5 "Test to Release" with Collinson at T5, as well as our "Day 8 or later" test (which we have actually scheduled for Day 15 -- 3 days prior to our departure -- so that it can serve as our test for returning home so we can avoid having to purchase yet another test). There were less expensive test packages but we did not want to deal with the possibility of postal delays, especially as we are quarantining at an Airbnb and were uncertain about mail retrieval etc. (As it turns out, packages are delivered to a common mail room shared by many residents so that would not have been a great option and we are happy to do the tests in person at T5 which is not far from where we are quarantining.). Other than obtaining her medical treatments, our covid tests, and groceries, we are now isolating until we get the results of our Day 5 test to release. Since we were both fully vaccinated in March, the multiplicity of tests seems unduly burdensome IMO, but we are grateful she can resume her treatments. I appreciate all of the information and advice we received on this forum, which has been most helpful.
May 5, 2021, 12:15 am
#7386
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,664
Just wanted to share our experience of recent arrival at LHR. If there is a more appropriate place to post this (mods) please feel free to move. Mom and I flew May 3 from MIA to LHR via BA208 for the purpose of obtaining her eye treatments for macular degeneration in Kingston upon Thames. At the check-in counter in MIA we were asked to produce copies of our negative covid test results and our passenger locator forms. Flight was very empty, about 40 people on board total. Upon arrival at LHR T5 May 4 around 9:30AM, an hour ahead of schedule, the immigration queue was very short and we were through in about five minutes. The immigration agent checked our passports, passenger locator forms, negative covid test results, and letter from my mom's doctor attesting to her requiring macular degeneration treatments and my accompanying her due to her visual impairment. The agent asked when her treatments would begin and we said "today." He said that would not be possible as we would be required to quarantine for 10 days first. We informed him about the quarantine exception for medical treatment, and after his colleague in the adjacent booth confirmed our understanding, we were on our way. We had pre-booked our "Day 2 or sooner" Covid test with Collinson at T5 and got our swabs immediately after retrieving baggage (90 minutes earlier than our appointments, but the testing staff did not seem to be adhering to appointment times very strictly and we were able to walk right in after showing our paperwork). We have also booked our Day 5 "Test to Release" with Collinson at T5, as well as our "Day 8 or later" test (which we have actually scheduled for Day 15 -- 3 days prior to our departure -- so that it can serve as our test for returning home so we can avoid having to purchase yet another test). There were less expensive test packages but we did not want to deal with the possibility of postal delays, especially as we are quarantining at an Airbnb and were uncertain about mail retrieval etc. (As it turns out, packages are delivered to a common mail room shared by many residents so that would not have been a great option and we are happy to do the tests in person at T5 which is not far from where we are quarantining.). Other than obtaining her medical treatments, our covid tests, and groceries, we are now isolating until we get the results of our Day 5 test to release. Since we were both fully vaccinated in March, the multiplicity of tests seems unduly burdensome IMO, but we are grateful she can resume her treatments. I appreciate all of the information and advice we received on this forum, which has been most helpful.
May 5, 2021, 1:58 am
#7387
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Delivered next day if your order early enough. Ordered a handful so have them ready for outbound and inbound travel when needed.
May 5, 2021, 2:32 am
#7388
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 524
Question: If the UK were to drop the stoplight system on us tomorrow and for example U.S. were to be on the green list, would that mean that any travel U.S. to UK would only require a test before boarding, or only if the travel takes place after May 17 and from May 6 until May 17th we'd still be in limbo and forced to quarantine and do Day 2/8 tests even though the U.S. is moving to Green?
Follow up, if I were to travel before May 17th, but my Day 5 and 8 would be after May 17th, would I have to do pre-departure and a day 2 then once U.S. clicked to green May 17th give up the charade, or still have to play out the theater by virtue of a pre-17th arrival?
Follow up, if I were to travel before May 17th, but my Day 5 and 8 would be after May 17th, would I have to do pre-departure and a day 2 then once U.S. clicked to green May 17th give up the charade, or still have to play out the theater by virtue of a pre-17th arrival?
May 5, 2021, 2:37 am
#7389
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,214
Question: If the UK were to drop the stoplight system on us tomorrow and for example U.S. were to be on the green list, would that mean that any travel U.S. to UK would only require a test before boarding, or only if the travel takes place after May 17 and from May 6 until May 17th we'd still be in limbo and forced to quarantine and do Day 2/8 tests even though the U.S. is moving to Green?
Follow up, if I were to travel before May 17th, but my Day 5 and 8 would be after May 17th, would I have to do pre-departure and a day 2 then once U.S. clicked to green May 17th give up the charade, or still have to play out the theater by virtue of a pre-17th arrival?
Follow up, if I were to travel before May 17th, but my Day 5 and 8 would be after May 17th, would I have to do pre-departure and a day 2 then once U.S. clicked to green May 17th give up the charade, or still have to play out the theater by virtue of a pre-17th arrival?
May 5, 2021, 2:40 am
#7390
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,032
Question: If the UK were to drop the stoplight system on us tomorrow and for example U.S. were to be on the green list, would that mean that any travel U.S. to UK would only require a test before boarding, or only if the travel takes place after May 17 and from May 6 until May 17th we'd still be in limbo and forced to quarantine and do Day 2/8 tests even though the U.S. is moving to Green?
Follow up, if I were to travel before May 17th, but my Day 5 and 8 would be after May 17th, would I have to do pre-departure and a day 2 then once U.S. clicked to green May 17th give up the charade, or still have to play out the theater by virtue of a pre-17th arrival?
Follow up, if I were to travel before May 17th, but my Day 5 and 8 would be after May 17th, would I have to do pre-departure and a day 2 then once U.S. clicked to green May 17th give up the charade, or still have to play out the theater by virtue of a pre-17th arrival?
May 5, 2021, 2:45 am
#7391
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 524
Welp, guess I'd better start looking at testing packages then 
May 5, 2021, 2:53 am
#7393
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,214
May 5, 2021, 2:55 am
#7394
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 524