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]
Jun 23, 2021, 12:28 pm
#8776
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
Jun 23, 2021, 5:52 pm
#8778
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,591
The Independent is pushing the "vaccinated travellers shouldn't have to quarantine on return" story.
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-b1871074.html
"Fully jabbed Britons may not have to quarantine when they return home from amber destinations this summer, according to reports.
Ministers are working on plans to allow quarantine-free holidays this summer.
Meanwhile, Malta and the Balearic islands of Spain are slated for the green list, which is due to be updated tomorrow.
There are currently 11 countries on the green list, most inaccessible to British tourists.
It comes as the travel industry lobbies the government in a Travel Day of Action, putting pressure on the government to support the beleaguered travel industry."
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...-b1871074.html
"Fully jabbed Britons may not have to quarantine when they return home from amber destinations this summer, according to reports.
Ministers are working on plans to allow quarantine-free holidays this summer.
Meanwhile, Malta and the Balearic islands of Spain are slated for the green list, which is due to be updated tomorrow.
There are currently 11 countries on the green list, most inaccessible to British tourists.
It comes as the travel industry lobbies the government in a Travel Day of Action, putting pressure on the government to support the beleaguered travel industry."
Jun 23, 2021, 6:08 pm
#8779
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
Does anyone else have anxiety that they’ll test positive when abroad (through the pre-departure test)? That is what is putting me off.
I really want all tests to be scrapped for fully vaccinated travellers from Green List countries.
I really want all tests to be scrapped for fully vaccinated travellers from Green List countries.
Jun 23, 2021, 11:55 pm
#8780
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 29
I am traveling to the UK leaving tonight. I will document the arrivals traffic, what Border looks at (and what they don't). I am armed with my negative covid test, day 2/8 package (had to buy individually since the UK changed their minds again about those who aren't in the UK 8 days) and a small bottle of Tylenol.
LAX to LHR AA 134
LAX to LHR AA 134
Jun 24, 2021, 12:12 am
#8781
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
If you have had two vaccines it is possible to get infected. The chances of this actually reduce the further back from the second jab, so in my area of the UK only 1.3% of cases are in the over 65 years old, 65% of cases are in those under 25, which is almost a mirror image of the data from October 2020. Among that 1.3% about a third were not vaccinated (even though 99.8% of that cohort is vaccinated). Whereas only about 20% of under 25 year olds have had both vaccines and typically quite recently. So from that you can see the chances of catching Covid if double vaccinated is quite remote, and gets smaller as time goes on. The situation with more recently vaccinated isn't quite so extreme so we do need to get the vaccines a chance to build up immunity. And bear in mind that right now well over 99% of the population do not have COVID even with the Delta surge going on. If you do get infected when vaccinated the chances are getting severe Covid fall too, you are more likely to have just a few days of feeling lousy, even more so if you are under 40 years old.
It's very important not to travel if you are in a position to transmit COVID since within Europe there is still a high percentage unvaccinated. Even in the UK 40% of adults are unvaccinated or undervaccinated.
Jun 24, 2021, 1:16 am
#8782
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,657
Wanting tests to be scrapped because of the (small) risk of testing positive is not going to be a strong argument anywhere. Assuming you are vaccinated, you need to look at this sort of risk in the same way as you would for being run over by a bus. It is there, but don't let it rule your life. A backup plan for all these eventualities is always a good thing and for most of us a decent travel insurance policy and flexibility covers it.
Jun 24, 2021, 2:05 am
#8783
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
In the event new destinations are added to the green list, how will timing work? Will it be 4am on Tuesday again? If so, will you have to quarantine at home for 10 days if you arrive in the UK before then or just quarantine until 4am on Tuesday?
Jun 24, 2021, 2:09 am
#8784
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,208
Whatever changes are made will only apply to those arriving after the change has come into effect. Those already returned at that point will not benefit, unless the change expressly provides for this, which is highly unlikely.
Jun 24, 2021, 2:10 am
#8785
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,657
If you arrive before the announced time then you are stuck with the full 10/5+TTR days. It would be worth delaying your return if possible and if you are close to the date.
Jun 24, 2021, 2:14 am
#8786
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: UK (currently)
Programs: BA Gold (and many other greater and lesser distinctions)
Posts: 7,208
This is one of several risks that are not much talked about. Another, for those for whom day 5 TTR is really important, is that they may not have the option of early release if contacted by T&T and told to isolate for the full 10 days because someone else on the flight has tested positive.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Jun 26, 2021 at 1:02 am Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same member
Jun 24, 2021, 2:57 am
#8787
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, SIA KrisFlyer, Qantas FF, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 1,850
I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday who practices commercial law here and she said that if the 2,500 UEFA officials are exempt for the Wembley Final, "normal" people can mount and a legal challenge if they are caught not self-isolating and in her opinion would have a decent chance at winning that case. The issue however is the fact that individually it would be too much cost and hassle, but a large collective group/class action had a chance because the government is in fact breaking its own laws.
Jun 24, 2021, 3:10 am
#8788
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
Greetings from self-isolation in West London!
Brief report of my return journey so far.
Day -2: did my Qured online test with Isa from the Philippines, negative test back in two hours.
Day -1: did my PLF, first in 7 months so quite a few things have changed including the possibility of creating an account. Added my Collinson day 2 & 8 test, printed both the PLF & Qured test result... Added both on the VeriFLY app.
Day 0: drove to LIN, dropped my backpack, VeriFLY was ignored and I had to produce the actual paperwork. "It's an aid de memoire for you, really" said the check in agent of the app. The flight was really smooth, landed to a quiet T5 and was through the e-gates with minimal fuss. Only a handful (I'd say 3 or 4) e-gates open and lots of American passengers who couldn't get them to work.
I'm now at home for the self isolation. The big difference between Italy and here, sadly, is mask discipline. Today in LIN everyone - workers, travellers, police - wore them and wore them correctly. Land in T5 and no UKBF agent had them, though they were talking very loudly and close to passengers. On the tube I'd say that a third of passengers wasn't wearing them and another 20% was in chin-warmer mode.
Brief report of my return journey so far.
Day -2: did my Qured online test with Isa from the Philippines, negative test back in two hours.
Day -1: did my PLF, first in 7 months so quite a few things have changed including the possibility of creating an account. Added my Collinson day 2 & 8 test, printed both the PLF & Qured test result... Added both on the VeriFLY app.
Day 0: drove to LIN, dropped my backpack, VeriFLY was ignored and I had to produce the actual paperwork. "It's an aid de memoire for you, really" said the check in agent of the app. The flight was really smooth, landed to a quiet T5 and was through the e-gates with minimal fuss. Only a handful (I'd say 3 or 4) e-gates open and lots of American passengers who couldn't get them to work.
I'm now at home for the self isolation. The big difference between Italy and here, sadly, is mask discipline. Today in LIN everyone - workers, travellers, police - wore them and wore them correctly. Land in T5 and no UKBF agent had them, though they were talking very loudly and close to passengers. On the tube I'd say that a third of passengers wasn't wearing them and another 20% was in chin-warmer mode.
Jun 24, 2021, 3:16 am
#8789
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,968
I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday who practices commercial law here and she said that if the 2,500 UEFA officials are exempt for the Wembley Final, "normal" people can mount and a legal challenge if they are caught not self-isolating and in her opinion would have a decent chance at winning that case. The issue however is the fact that individually it would be too much cost and hassle, but a large collective group/class action had a chance because the government is in fact breaking its own laws.
Jun 24, 2021, 3:18 am
#8790
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 804
I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday who practices commercial law here and she said that if the 2,500 UEFA officials are exempt for the Wembley Final, "normal" people can mount and a legal challenge if they are caught not self-isolating and in her opinion would have a decent chance at winning that case. The issue however is the fact that individually it would be too much cost and hassle, but a large collective group/class action had a chance because the government is in fact breaking its own laws.
I understand the reasoning for having the traffic light system but it seems the rules only apply to general population and not to politicians or their friends.
