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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
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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 May 11, 2021, 2:58 am
  #7741  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Originally Posted by DaveS
I don't know if the airlines carry any responsibility for this and you may be correct. I would not want to be the one arguing the point at check in though.
Indeed, I expect it would vary wildly depending on the airline representative you speak to. It would be great if there was a clear, official example which could be printed and presented stating that if you leave before day 2, no test is needed. However, I have yet to see such a document, other than long winded texts which could be open to interpretation and need cross referencing.

However, my take on the regulations is that you could return for 1 or 2 days, quarrantine with family for example, and leave without undergoing any tests in the UK.
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englisha is offline  
Old May 11, 2021, 3:07 am
  #7742  
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Originally Posted by englisha
However, my take on the regulations is that you could return for 1 or 2 days, quarrantine with family for example, and leave without undergoing any tests in the UK.
Yes, I agree it is clear in the regulations. Unfortunately it is less clear in the guidance or on timatic.
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KARFA is offline  
Old May 11, 2021, 4:54 am
  #7743  
 
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Originally Posted by KARFA
Yes, I agree it is clear in the regulations. Unfortunately it is less clear in the guidance or on timatic.
Which is a bit of a killer unfortunately as that's what the check-in staff will reference :-(

I wanted to be a good soldier and at least do the arrival test before leaving again. But I have also singularly failed to persuade Collinson to sell me just a 2 day test as opposed to the double test. Since I am still sitting on unused tests from the last time I had to buy them (for an overnight transit). I suspect I will end up trying to re-use that reference / booking and see where it gets me.

This will be another overnight transit so there really is no need for any test based on the legislation. But I'm not sure I have the energy to try and argue that at check-in if the computer is against me.
Fritz is offline  
Old May 11, 2021, 4:59 am
  #7744  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 24
Hi everyone very grateful for some advice from someone who has been through the day 2/8/5 test to release regimen and has experience filling out the UK passenger locator form.

We will be travelling to Crete as a family, two adults, two kids aged 3 and 1, in 10 day's time. Obvs it's amber, but the FCO took Crete off the banned list so travel insurance is valid. There are some specific circumstances behind why we need to make this trip, and whilst I know govt are advising in general against trips to amber destinations, as far as I can see it is legal to go provided we adhere to the testing and quarantine rules.

My specific questions:
- Our kids aged 1 and 3 are exempt from all testing outbound and back EXCEPT for Test to Release day 5 where gov.uk vaguely says children need to be tested to be released ... but is there a lower age cutoff for test to release like for the days 2 and 8 tests (where children under 5 are exempt)?
- When filling in the UK PLF form, I understand you need to enter details of the tests you have booked both for days 2/8 and day 5 test to release ... am I going to have to enter test details for the kids for day 5 test to release? (pretty sure I won't for days 2/8 as gov.uk says under 5s are exempt from those)
- Will test & trace be calling us every day even after getting the all clear from our test to release day 5 tests? As if the kids are exempt from day 5 tests we could be in some kind of weird limbo on day 6 where us two adults have had an all clear on test to release but the kids haven't been tested. Will the kids be released too if we are?

Very grateful for any advice!
basil_fawlty is offline  
Old May 11, 2021, 5:00 am
  #7745  
 
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Originally Posted by Fritz
Which is a bit of a killer unfortunately as that's what the check-in staff will reference :-(

I wanted to be a good soldier and at least do the arrival test before leaving again. But I have also singularly failed to persuade Collinson to sell me just a 2 day test as opposed to the double test. Since I am still sitting on unused tests from the last time I had to buy them (for an overnight transit). I suspect I will end up trying to re-use that reference / booking and see where it gets me.

This will be another overnight transit so there really is no need for any test based on the legislation. But I'm not sure I have the energy to try and argue that at check-in if the computer is against me.
Speaking of Collinson, I believe they still do not take payment until you show up in person. It would be taking advantage of them, and so not a civilized recommendation, but making a booking in order to get a confirmation receipt just to negotiate the check-in agent / Timatic situation, and then cancelling it after arrival, might be a workable tactic.
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Old May 11, 2021, 5:08 am
  #7746  
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Originally Posted by tjcxx
Speaking of Collinson, I believe they still do not take payment until you show up in person. It would be taking advantage of them, and so not a civilized recommendation, but making a booking in order to get a confirmation receipt just to negotiate the check-in agent / Timatic situation, and then cancelling it after arrival, might be a workable tactic.
Easy to do. I had to change the time of my Test to Release and the procedure is simple: cancel and rebook. So I can attest that it's easy cancelling a test with them and can be accomplished online.

Also, my one experience of the PLF and testing references etc. is that nobody marries anything up behind the scenes. My arrival into the UK was not married up with my passport number and the people from NHS Test and Trace who are meant to call you daily appear to have no record of anything that was put on the PLF, or indeed much else either.
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lhrsfo is offline  
Old May 11, 2021, 5:22 am
  #7747  
 
Join Date: May 2010
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Originally Posted by paulaf
Yes the website was really slow before, I guess if you order and it turns up whilst you are away that's no problem. I asked about separate orders as a couple of other providers I looked at said to order 2 separately so you got 2 codes in bold on their front pages. Can you put the same code on 2 PLFs then - i.e. me and my husband's ? I have e-mailed Randox to ask.
Update from Randox about this type of order for a couple say, order 2 separately or in one basket ? Randox have no idea they say ask the government! Guess a few more people will need to know this soon.
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Old May 11, 2021, 5:26 am
  #7748  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Originally Posted by basil_fawlty
Hi everyone very grateful for some advice from someone who has been through the day 2/8/5 test to release regimen and has experience filling out the UK passenger locator form.

We will be travelling to Crete as a family, two adults, two kids aged 3 and 1, in 10 day's time. Obvs it's amber, but the FCO took Crete off the banned list so travel insurance is valid. There are some specific circumstances behind why we need to make this trip, and whilst I know govt are advising in general against trips to amber destinations, as far as I can see it is legal to go provided we adhere to the testing and quarantine rules.

My specific questions:
- Our kids aged 1 and 3 are exempt from all testing outbound and back EXCEPT for Test to Release day 5 where gov.uk vaguely says children need to be tested to be released ... but is there a lower age cutoff for test to release like for the days 2 and 8 tests (where children under 5 are exempt)?
- When filling in the UK PLF form, I understand you need to enter details of the tests you have booked both for days 2/8 and day 5 test to release ... am I going to have to enter test details for the kids for day 5 test to release? (pretty sure I won't for days 2/8 as gov.uk says under 5s are exempt from those)
- Will test & trace be calling us every day even after getting the all clear from our test to release day 5 tests? As if the kids are exempt from day 5 tests we could be in some kind of weird limbo on day 6 where us two adults have had an all clear on test to release but the kids haven't been tested. Will the kids be released too if we are?

Very grateful for any advice!
You have asked a very good question there. Logically there should be a lower age limit for the day 5 TTR, but there really is nothing in the guidance. The legislation just references the guidance, so no help there. My instinct would be to not book it. If things go wrong later, you should be able to opt into it by filling out another PLF or editing the existing one. Not having it on the PLF will not stop you from flying back. Unfortunately these rules are full of holes like this.
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Old May 11, 2021, 5:45 am
  #7749  
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Originally Posted by DaveS
You have asked a very good question there. Logically there should be a lower age limit for the day 5 TTR, but there really is nothing in the guidance. The legislation just references the guidance, so no help there. My instinct would be to not book it. If things go wrong later, you should be able to opt into it by filling out another PLF or editing the existing one. Not having it on the PLF will not stop you from flying back. Unfortunately these rules are full of holes like this.
Under the current legislation my understanding is unless the kid tests on Day 5, no TTR regardless of what the parents do?
KSVVZ2015 is offline  
Old May 11, 2021, 5:49 am
  #7750  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Originally Posted by KSVVZ2015
Under the current legislation my understanding is unless the kid tests on Day 5, no TTR regardless of what the parents do?
That is indeed how it reads.
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Old May 11, 2021, 5:54 am
  #7751  
 
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Originally Posted by tjcxx
Speaking of Collinson, I believe they still do not take payment until you show up in person. It would be taking advantage of them, and so not a civilized recommendation, but making a booking in order to get a confirmation receipt just to negotiate the check-in agent / Timatic situation, and then cancelling it after arrival, might be a workable tactic.
They told me today that this was no longer the case.

"This test is non-refundable and payable at time of booking online, as you are purchasing not just the tests, but also the booking confirmation which allows travel and entry to England'

I'm sorry my own experience with Collinson hasn't led to the desired outcome; they seem to get well reviewed generally and I was hoping to use them.
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Last edited by Fritz; May 11, 2021 at 6:02 am
Fritz is offline  
Old May 11, 2021, 6:06 am
  #7752  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Originally Posted by KSVVZ2015
Under the current legislation my understanding is unless the kid tests on Day 5, no TTR regardless of what the parents do?
TTR isnt compulsory, if you want your little children released you will have to get them tested.
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Old May 11, 2021, 6:38 am
  #7753  
 
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Originally Posted by DaveS
The situation for the day 2 test is not as vague as it is for day 8. With day 8, you take it on or after day 8 and the law does not say how long after day 8, so in theory you could never actually take the day 8 despite having to buy it. With the day 2, you have to take it on or before day 2, it is not open ended like day 8. There is some debate about the timing for day 2, but not about the necessity for taking it. By all accounts, you will be chased by track & trace daily to make sure you have done it. Welcome to FT!
Track and trace made sure the test was done but doesn't seem to care about results! Never got mine - they didn't seem concerned as long as I did the test! Incidentally that also means you can't count on the test results if you're planning to leave within 72 hours of taking it.
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Old May 11, 2021, 7:02 am
  #7754  
 
Join Date: May 2015
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Ok thank you, so consensus seems to be children of any age (right down to zero!) do need to get tested for Test to Release, I'll operate on that basis and if I learn anything different will post here.
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Old May 11, 2021, 7:44 am
  #7755  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 24
sorry can I ask wisdom on one more point of detail. If I have a flight landing at say 5.00pm on a Sunday, then according to gov.uk I can take a Test to Release test on the 5th full day. That would be the Friday. The question is can I take the test on the *morning* of the Friday? Or does it have to be taken after 5.00pm on the Friday (to allow five full 24 hour days)?
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