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]
Jul 8, 2021, 12:42 pm
#9256
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 963
I suspect the reality is that if it shows on your NHS record then that's going to be good enough, so the key is persuading your surgery to do that. I really can't see that Border Force then Track & Trace - given everything we've heard on here about the contents of the phone calls - are going to start diving into the batch numbers of your vaccines to check that they match up with those administered in the UK. If someone from Northern Ireland moved to England it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to expect the NHS to recognise their UK vaccine, yet technically it also won't have been given by the NHS. The political fallout from something seemingly so small doesn't bear thinking about.
What I suspect is really meant here is "showing in the NHS system", which means that the non-approved vaccines with potentially lower efficacy won't count, and doctors likely wouldn't be able to add them because there's no category for them.
What I suspect is really meant here is "showing in the NHS system", which means that the non-approved vaccines with potentially lower efficacy won't count, and doctors likely wouldn't be able to add them because there's no category for them.
Jul 8, 2021, 12:53 pm
#9257
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 816
Wow, so much emotion based on this decision. For those crying out lack of fairness - has there been any equity in any decisions over the last 15 months? In any country? It’s all been a mish mash of poorly executed plans and ideas. All of a sudden you expect a well planned synchronised relaxation of all the rules for everyone at the same time? It was never going to happen.
In time, hopefully imminently the UK will come up with a way to start accepting other countries evidence of vaccination.
There is a fair chance of success.
Did you send the batch numbers of the vaccines to the GP practice? I know of a small cohort of people who were vaccinated in the UK - but not under the NHS or any clinical trials who (at least initially) were told to inform their GP that they were vaccinated and give them the batch numbers.
In time, hopefully imminently the UK will come up with a way to start accepting other countries evidence of vaccination.
There is a fair chance of success.
Did you send the batch numbers of the vaccines to the GP practice? I know of a small cohort of people who were vaccinated in the UK - but not under the NHS or any clinical trials who (at least initially) were told to inform their GP that they were vaccinated and give them the batch numbers.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Jul 8, 2021 at 4:05 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same member
Jul 8, 2021, 1:19 pm
#9258
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,507
I did send my surgery the batch numbers and they say the app will only generate the code for vaccines administered in the UK.
Jul 8, 2021, 1:59 pm
#9259
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
Our holiday trips, on the other hand, involve as much time as possible with family, outdoors, preferably on a beach, ideally with lots of bright sunshine.
You don't need to be a virologist to see that while there isn't much science there is a fairly obvious set of economic & political reasons that the former was allowed to continue while the latter wasn't.
Jul 8, 2021, 2:04 pm
#9260
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 888
Jul 8, 2021, 2:26 pm
#9262
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Accor Plat, IHG Diamond
Posts: 651
As shorthauldad said, I entered the day 2 test on my UK PLF and had a print out of both confirmations to give border control and the departing airport.
Jul 8, 2021, 2:28 pm
#9263
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 888
I'm disappointed that silly politics are keeping the UK from being open for guys like me (and the US being open to the UK) but you guys earned it the hard way and good for you. I hope BA and others are gearing up for large travel volumes for the remainder of the summer. Heathrow will be chaos!
Jul 8, 2021, 2:45 pm
#9264
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Miami Beach FL, Philadelphia PA, and Oxfordshire UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA Executive Platinum, PriorityPass, Global Entry, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 737
You did point as much out 
And I did get an NHS number. But based on when I became eligible - the US promised a much faster timeline - that became business critical due to the entry requirements on the continent.
In all seriousness - what is your estimate as to how long this lasts? Because I will go get more jabs if I need to which is a truly perverse outcome if that's what it comes to.
And I did get an NHS number. But based on when I became eligible - the US promised a much faster timeline - that became business critical due to the entry requirements on the continent.In all seriousness - what is your estimate as to how long this lasts? Because I will go get more jabs if I need to which is a truly perverse outcome if that's what it comes to.
Now stuck with having to wait for the CDC card to be recognised.
I have looked into vaccinating again in the UK, but the issue I have with taking the shots again is that the time between first and second shots is something between 8 and 12 weeks depending on your priority group. Add on 2 weeks for the vaccine to bed in, and you are potentially looking at 14 weeks before you are eligible to use this system, from your first vaccination date.
I am hopeful that within 14 weeks they will have sorted this overseas double vaccinated UK citizens not having to quarantine nonsense, so I personally think getting a 3rd and 4th shot is kind of pointless.
Anyway - I am following this with interest as like I said - this policy discriminates against us. But as CWS mentioned up thread, there is some kind of method (or a bargaining chip) in the madness…..
Jul 8, 2021, 2:47 pm
#9265
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,848
Wow, so much emotion based on this decision. For those crying out lack of fairness - has there been any equity in any decisions over the last 15 months? In any country? It’s all been a mish mash of poorly executed plans and ideas. All of a sudden you expect a well planned synchronised relaxation of all the rules for everyone at the same time? It was never going to happen.
In time, hopefully imminently the UK will come up with a way to start accepting other countries evidence of vaccination.
In time, hopefully imminently the UK will come up with a way to start accepting other countries evidence of vaccination.
Meanwhile the framing of this issue in the media and from government is almost exclusively around Brits being able to go on holiday for a week in the sun, with almost no mention let alone recognition of the impact on thousands of families in the first category.
Now, should we be surprised, given the history of political decisions the last 15 months - especially in the UK? Perhaps not. But should we expect and demand better? In my opinion, yes.
I’m not expecting a fully implemented and working solution to the many issues raised here on day 1.
But would it really have been so hard for the Government to say, alongside the announcement, something along the lines of “while today’s announcement applies only to people who received vaccinations in the UK, we know there are many British people and visitors vaccinated abroad who are not covered by this. We are working on this and will announce our plans in 2 weeks” (or whatever).
This would be both good politics - showing that you care, without necessarily committing to anything specific - and good comms.
Last edited by squawk; Jul 8, 2021 at 2:59 pm
Jul 8, 2021, 3:04 pm
#9266
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
Wow, so much emotion based on this decision. For those crying out lack of fairness - has there been any equity in any decisions over the last 15 months? In any country? It’s all been a mish mash of poorly executed plans and ideas. All of a sudden you expect a well planned synchronised relaxation of all the rules for everyone at the same time? It was never going to happen.
In time, hopefully imminently the UK will come up with a way to start accepting other countries evidence of vaccination.
In time, hopefully imminently the UK will come up with a way to start accepting other countries evidence of vaccination.
Perhaps someone could explain to me why simply being resident in England and having been vaccinated by the NHS somehow makes such a substantive difference here? The UK is currently reporting in the region of 32k cases per day compared with 23k with the USA. The UK has almost 5x the positivity rate of the USA.
Being vaccinated either works or it doesn't. Amber list countries either present a lower risk or they don't. Unless I have missed something obvious I don't think anyone has said that the vaccines being distributed in the UK are somehow superior to the same vaccines being distributed elsewhere. Is it really the case that Kevin & Tracy's return to England after a fortnight's lounging on a beach somewhere in Amber Europe is somehow a significantly lower risk to the overall health of the UK than my visit to England from the USA - simply because they live in England and have been vaccinated by the NHS?
Jul 8, 2021, 3:06 pm
#9267
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,621
Wanted to confirm my understanding that for a short UK->green->UK, where I am in the green country for less than 48 hours, I can get my "return to the UK" test done in the UK before departure.
I am double vaccinated and the trip will be after July 19th, so I think I just need the "return" test and a day 2. What is currently the cheapest package?
I am double vaccinated and the trip will be after July 19th, so I think I just need the "return" test and a day 2. What is currently the cheapest package?
Jul 8, 2021, 3:35 pm
#9268
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: 63,838
Wanted to confirm my understanding that for a short UK->green->UK, where I am in the green country for less than 48 hours, I can get my "return to the UK" test done in the UK before departure.
I am double vaccinated and the trip will be after July 19th, so I think I just need the "return" test and a day 2. What is currently the cheapest package?
I am double vaccinated and the trip will be after July 19th, so I think I just need the "return" test and a day 2. What is currently the cheapest package?
Jul 8, 2021, 3:38 pm
#9269
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: 63,838
I have looked into vaccinating again in the UK, but the issue I have with taking the shots again is that the time between first and second shots is something between 8 and 12 weeks depending on your priority group. Add on 2 weeks for the vaccine to bed in, and you are potentially looking at 14 weeks before you are eligible to use this system, from your first vaccination date.
There has been a noticeable uptick in demand for vaccines in the last 24 hours, I've got to work an extra hour tomorrow......
Jul 8, 2021, 3:43 pm
#9270
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: 63,838
But would it really have been so hard for the Government to say, alongside the announcement, something along the lines of “while today’s announcement applies only to people who received vaccinations in the UK, we know there are many British people and visitors vaccinated abroad who are not covered by this. We are working on this and will announce our plans in 2 weeks” (or whatever).
Originally Posted by Rt Hon. Grant Shapps MP
Madame Deputy Speaker, the change I am announcing today will prioritise those vaccinated in the UK. However, as I made clear last week, we want to welcome international visitors back to the UK and are working to extend our approach to vaccinated passengers from important markets and holiday destinations later this summer, such as the USA and the EU. I will update the House in due course on how we approach vaccinated individuals from other countries.