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]
#8491
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
As I have very little brain I would appreciate if the panel could explain to me something that baffles me. If you receive your do-it-at-home tests and you do them as you are supposed to - how do they get to the post or the collection centres? You have to quarantine/self-isolate for 10 days. Great. So how do the tests get themselves to a pillar box or collection point. Indeed, they may tell you that you have to have someone do this for you. Like who if you have no family nor friends locally - I'm not saying that I don't but what if everyone is at work or lives a long way off. Food can be delivered - but suppose you need the dentist? Not all of us can pop our teeth in a bag and send them to Drill, Fill and Pull.
As I am coming to the UK and the rules appear to change daily, I am booking Day 2s even though I will be gone on Day 2 - maybe I should book Day 8 as well. I am not belittling the intention but I really think that this is getting OTT and, yes - I think that if you are fully immunised you need to be checked that you are not infected if needs must on Day 2. I want to infect nobody but I keep feeling that there are just so many inconsistencies with all this. I just think myself so fortunate to have you to ask and check as it is often so hard to get a straight answer to simple questions - such as is an Antigen test sufficient in order to come to Britain. As far as I can see it is, but as long as there in within certain norms - how on earth am I supposed to know that - I was a nurse not an Organic Chemistry Lab Girl. So I am off to the INED testing centre at Benidorm (of all places) to get mine and HI's next week.
Rant subsided but far from over.
As I am coming to the UK and the rules appear to change daily, I am booking Day 2s even though I will be gone on Day 2 - maybe I should book Day 8 as well. I am not belittling the intention but I really think that this is getting OTT and, yes - I think that if you are fully immunised you need to be checked that you are not infected if needs must on Day 2. I want to infect nobody but I keep feeling that there are just so many inconsistencies with all this. I just think myself so fortunate to have you to ask and check as it is often so hard to get a straight answer to simple questions - such as is an Antigen test sufficient in order to come to Britain. As far as I can see it is, but as long as there in within certain norms - how on earth am I supposed to know that - I was a nurse not an Organic Chemistry Lab Girl. So I am off to the INED testing centre at Benidorm (of all places) to get mine and HI's next week.
Rant subsided but far from over.
#8492
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
As I have very little brain I would appreciate if the panel could explain to me something that baffles me. If you receive your do-it-at-home tests and you do them as you are supposed to - how do they get to the post or the collection centres? You have to quarantine/self-isolate for 10 days. Great. So how do the tests get themselves to a pillar box or collection point. Indeed, they may tell you that you have to have someone do this for you. Like who if you have no family nor friends locally - I'm not saying that I don't but what if everyone is at work or lives a long way off. Food can be delivered - but suppose you need the dentist? Not all of us can pop our teeth in a bag and send them to Drill, Fill and Pull.
As I am coming to the UK and the rules appear to change daily, I am booking Day 2s even though I will be gone on Day 2 - maybe I should book Day 8 as well. I am not belittling the intention but I really think that this is getting OTT and, yes - I think that if you are fully immunised you need to be checked that you are not infected if needs must on Day 2. I want to infect nobody but I keep feeling that there are just so many inconsistencies with all this. I just think myself so fortunate to have you to ask and check as it is often so hard to get a straight answer to simple questions - such as is an Antigen test sufficient in order to come to Britain. As far as I can see it is, but as long as there in within certain norms - how on earth am I supposed to know that - I was a nurse not an Organic Chemistry Lab Girl. So I am off to the INED testing centre at Benidorm (of all places) to get mine and HI's next week.
Rant subsided but far from over.
As I am coming to the UK and the rules appear to change daily, I am booking Day 2s even though I will be gone on Day 2 - maybe I should book Day 8 as well. I am not belittling the intention but I really think that this is getting OTT and, yes - I think that if you are fully immunised you need to be checked that you are not infected if needs must on Day 2. I want to infect nobody but I keep feeling that there are just so many inconsistencies with all this. I just think myself so fortunate to have you to ask and check as it is often so hard to get a straight answer to simple questions - such as is an Antigen test sufficient in order to come to Britain. As far as I can see it is, but as long as there in within certain norms - how on earth am I supposed to know that - I was a nurse not an Organic Chemistry Lab Girl. So I am off to the INED testing centre at Benidorm (of all places) to get mine and HI's next week.
Rant subsided but far from over.
#8493
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
I posted this a few posts above, see 8459.
Transit as defined in the SI clearly relates to same day transit either staying at the same airport, or leaving that airport and going directly to another one to leave. This definition has not changed. If you are staying overnight (and therefore have to self isolate in a hotel) you would not fit in this definition of transit and therefore have to buy the post arrival tests regardless of when you plan to leave.
Transit as defined in the SI clearly relates to same day transit either staying at the same airport, or leaving that airport and going directly to another one to leave. This definition has not changed. If you are staying overnight (and therefore have to self isolate in a hotel) you would not fit in this definition of transit and therefore have to buy the post arrival tests regardless of when you plan to leave.
I seem to keep asking the same questions - and I really apologise for this to all and sundry - but I do not want issues at check-in or arrivals next Thursday. I just want to give them exactly what paperwork they need and go and hide myself from the eyes of men () . Until I fly back out on Saturday to Greece where my double dose of AZ appears to let me in without a PCR test.
I'm sure that it is me, but it is getting tricky getting to grips with so many requirements.
#8494
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
#8495
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
#8496
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,982
OK KARFA let me ask you this - Even if one is staying no longer than 2 day (arrive Thursday leave Saturday) must we buy a Day 2 and a Day 8 test? Even if we do not use them? This is not a beginning of a hairbrush armed G&T fuelled tantrum but a need to know and prepare. I bought a Day 2 test already from Collinson at LHR just in case and I see that Randox sells Day 8 only - am I allowed to mix-sand - match like this?
I seem to keep asking the same questions - and I really apologise for this to all and sundry - but I do not want issues at check-in or arrivals next Thursday. I just want to give them exactly what paperwork they need and go and hide myself from the eyes of men () . Until I fly back out on Saturday to Greece where my double dose of AZ appears to let me in without a PCR test.
I'm sure that it is me, but it is getting tricky getting to grips with so many requirements.
I'm sure that it is me, but it is getting tricky getting to grips with so many requirements.
#8497
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
I have a house (now rented) in Swish Surbiton - so am uncertain where leafy Surrey begins and ends. If it helps I had all my calls for Him Indoors and me between 10.45 and 13.30. I say all because I accumulated no less than 8 one particular day, I deal with the calls as Him Indoors would probably say something discourteous at some point, whereas I accustomed to dealing with BA passengers am inured to being asked the same thing 300 times and keeping out of First Class where possible where no question could ever be too solipsistic or trivial ( I was going to say asinine but was unsure if it was a word or one that my Papa used to use frequently)
#8498
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,180
You need to buy a day 2 & 8 test package now if staying for one night or more (i.e. you are not doing a same day transit) regardless of the length of your stay.
No apology needed, this has changed several times now since the start of the year. Had you asked that question last week I would have given you a different answer - and possibly if you ask again in a few weeks time you will get another answer
No apology needed, this has changed several times now since the start of the year. Had you asked that question last week I would have given you a different answer - and possibly if you ask again in a few weeks time you will get another answer
It says at Randox If you order a ‘Green Pack’ and your country of destination turns ‘Amber’ you can order a stand alone Day 8 product.
#8499
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,208
Also seems a little insane we are lining the pockets of testing companies instead of having the option to pay the NHS for some of their massive unused testing capacity. I have a testing station next to my flat and I have yet to see a single person using it with staff sat around doing nothing, while I'm either paying £155 for a local TTR or driving to London and giving them £80.
#8500
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,919
One last quickie - I already have a Test 2 booked for our arrival - would purchasing a Day 8 to take at home cover that or should I buy the whole Day 2 and 8 in one package?
It says at Randox If you order a ‘Green Pack’ and your country of destination turns ‘Amber’ you can order a stand alone Day 8 product.
It says at Randox If you order a ‘Green Pack’ and your country of destination turns ‘Amber’ you can order a stand alone Day 8 product.
Hi
I think if you just buy the day 8 package since you already have the day 2 one booked you should be fine.
Regards
Tbs
#8501
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
Well it turns out that we can pay for an NHS test ! When T&T called yesterday they asked (not for the first time) whether my testing was private or NHS. When I pointed out that NHS tests could not be used for travel, they told me they could if purchased through CTM. No idea if that is actually correct !?
#8502
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
If it was me, I would not buy the day 8 if I was departing on day 2. That does appear to be at odds with this weeks version of the legislation. However, there is always the risk that there will be a problem at check in if the airline decides you do need the day 8. You would need a backup plan to buy one at the airport. Likewise a smaller risk at the UK border.
#8503
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Gold, Caesars Diamond
Posts: 923
How does this stop people doing a same day landside throwaway ticket to avoid the day 2/8 test?
#8504
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
Yes we did many thanks did us the world of good though husband wasn't impressed by our visit within about 12 hours of getting home.
If we need some essential shopping that we forgot to get can we pop out briefly as no-one nearby can help?
If we need some essential shopping that we forgot to get can we pop out briefly as no-one nearby can help?
Last edited by paulaf; Jun 11, 2021 at 7:50 am
#8505
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 963
That is indeed a codified exception. I think its important to note, however, that the result of not answering the door once is almost certainly just going to be a visit again the next day rather than some deep investigation as to where you were at the time and why.