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]
Aug 7, 2021, 4:45 pm
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 331
If not subject to isolation, what is the legal position surrounding the “addresses for the first 10 days upon arrival into the U.K.” part of the PLF? I might easily stay at five addresses or change plans at short notice.
Aug 7, 2021, 4:47 pm
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
put the first one you will be at in the plf. I think strictly you should submit a new one with each new address when you move, but if you are exempt from self isolating it probably isn’t essential.
Aug 8, 2021, 2:07 am
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 61
Sorry if this is the wrong thread but a word of warning to anybody considering using medicspot for their Day 2 test. Based on my recent experience, I recommend people do not use them for their tests.
One of the Day 2 boxes they sent turned out to have 'already' been registered and so I couldn't register my results. This baffled me. How can a box they sent to me already have been registered? By whom? When?
All the chat service could do was send out a new box, which won't arrive until outside the Day 2 window. They could offer no explanation for how a brand new box could 'already' have been registered. Her best guess was that another customer had mistyped their own code.
This shouldn't happen: codes should be designed so that simple typos result in invalid values rather than registering somebody else's box. This is a lesson the credit card industry discovered over FIFTY years ago - it's not exactly rocket science. But the chat made me suspicious that this is a widespread problem for them, which could (stress could) mean many customers are missing their day two deadline and/or receiving somebody else's results. I can share more details of why I think this but the essence of it was that they were so quick to send out a new box without doing any 'sanity checking' with me first that it felt like I was by no means the first person to hit this problem.
So we potentially have a situation where some results are going to the wrong patients, and where some customers - like me - can't take their test in the legally mandated window, putting me at legal risk as well as losing an opportunity to detect a new infection should I have tested positive.
Net-net: I know I am just one example but the suspiciously routine way in which the chat session unfolded and the total indifference to the possibility that a mis-typed code could clash with another customer's valid code - makes me suspect that I may not be the only person to hit this problem with medicspot. Hence, sharing my story here, with a recommendation not to risk using them yourselves.
One of the Day 2 boxes they sent turned out to have 'already' been registered and so I couldn't register my results. This baffled me. How can a box they sent to me already have been registered? By whom? When?
All the chat service could do was send out a new box, which won't arrive until outside the Day 2 window. They could offer no explanation for how a brand new box could 'already' have been registered. Her best guess was that another customer had mistyped their own code.
This shouldn't happen: codes should be designed so that simple typos result in invalid values rather than registering somebody else's box. This is a lesson the credit card industry discovered over FIFTY years ago - it's not exactly rocket science. But the chat made me suspicious that this is a widespread problem for them, which could (stress could) mean many customers are missing their day two deadline and/or receiving somebody else's results. I can share more details of why I think this but the essence of it was that they were so quick to send out a new box without doing any 'sanity checking' with me first that it felt like I was by no means the first person to hit this problem.
So we potentially have a situation where some results are going to the wrong patients, and where some customers - like me - can't take their test in the legally mandated window, putting me at legal risk as well as losing an opportunity to detect a new infection should I have tested positive.
Net-net: I know I am just one example but the suspiciously routine way in which the chat session unfolded and the total indifference to the possibility that a mis-typed code could clash with another customer's valid code - makes me suspect that I may not be the only person to hit this problem with medicspot. Hence, sharing my story here, with a recommendation not to risk using them yourselves.
Aug 8, 2021, 2:25 am
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 90
If you're feeling cheeky and don't need the results urgently the Randox ones can be put in a normal pillar box, whether they get charged for it who knows - but I'm sure they're making vast profits out of this saga.
Aug 8, 2021, 3:41 am
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, FB Platinum, MB Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,403
Can you re-use the result of a Fit To Fly antigen test if the second flight is within the 3 day period of having taken the first test?
Thinking of scenarios where you are doing short or B2B trips.
Thinking of scenarios where you are doing short or B2B trips.
Aug 8, 2021, 3:48 am
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 331
I noted that the provision to submit a new PLF is in the statutory instrument, but one of the pre-submission declarations is “I declare that I will arrive in the UK within the next 48 hours”. That seems like a bit of a conflict in terms of making a false declaration (though I would accept the argument that this is too literal an interpretation!)
Aug 8, 2021, 4:06 am
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: 63,809
Yes, see upthread for examples of this. Clearly it depends on the countries involved but if you mean UK->European mainland -> UK then that is ok, you will still need a Day2 PCR as well, and possibly a Day8 one too.
Aug 8, 2021, 4:15 am
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: 63,809
Thanks, I thought this might be the case!
I noted that the provision to submit a new PLF is in the statutory instrument, but one of the pre-submission declarations is “I declare that I will arrive in the UK within the next 48 hours”. That seems like a bit of a conflict in terms of making a false declaration (though I would accept the argument that this is too literal an interpretation!)
I noted that the provision to submit a new PLF is in the statutory instrument, but one of the pre-submission declarations is “I declare that I will arrive in the UK within the next 48 hours”. That seems like a bit of a conflict in terms of making a false declaration (though I would accept the argument that this is too literal an interpretation!)
Aug 8, 2021, 5:30 am
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,654
Sorry if this is the wrong thread but a word of warning to anybody considering using medicspot for their Day 2 test. Based on my recent experience, I recommend people do not use them for their tests.
One of the Day 2 boxes they sent turned out to have 'already' been registered and so I couldn't register my results. This baffled me. How can a box they sent to me already have been registered? By whom? When?
All the chat service could do was send out a new box, which won't arrive until outside the Day 2 window. They could offer no explanation for how a brand new box could 'already' have been registered. Her best guess was that another customer had mistyped their own code.
This shouldn't happen: codes should be designed so that simple typos result in invalid values rather than registering somebody else's box. This is a lesson the credit card industry discovered over FIFTY years ago - it's not exactly rocket science. But the chat made me suspicious that this is a widespread problem for them, which could (stress could) mean many customers are missing their day two deadline and/or receiving somebody else's results. I can share more details of why I think this but the essence of it was that they were so quick to send out a new box without doing any 'sanity checking' with me first that it felt like I was by no means the first person to hit this problem.
So we potentially have a situation where some results are going to the wrong patients, and where some customers - like me - can't take their test in the legally mandated window, putting me at legal risk as well as losing an opportunity to detect a new infection should I have tested positive.
Net-net: I know I am just one example but the suspiciously routine way in which the chat session unfolded and the total indifference to the possibility that a mis-typed code could clash with another customer's valid code - makes me suspect that I may not be the only person to hit this problem with medicspot. Hence, sharing my story here, with a recommendation not to risk using them yourselves.
One of the Day 2 boxes they sent turned out to have 'already' been registered and so I couldn't register my results. This baffled me. How can a box they sent to me already have been registered? By whom? When?
All the chat service could do was send out a new box, which won't arrive until outside the Day 2 window. They could offer no explanation for how a brand new box could 'already' have been registered. Her best guess was that another customer had mistyped their own code.
This shouldn't happen: codes should be designed so that simple typos result in invalid values rather than registering somebody else's box. This is a lesson the credit card industry discovered over FIFTY years ago - it's not exactly rocket science. But the chat made me suspicious that this is a widespread problem for them, which could (stress could) mean many customers are missing their day two deadline and/or receiving somebody else's results. I can share more details of why I think this but the essence of it was that they were so quick to send out a new box without doing any 'sanity checking' with me first that it felt like I was by no means the first person to hit this problem.
So we potentially have a situation where some results are going to the wrong patients, and where some customers - like me - can't take their test in the legally mandated window, putting me at legal risk as well as losing an opportunity to detect a new infection should I have tested positive.
Net-net: I know I am just one example but the suspiciously routine way in which the chat session unfolded and the total indifference to the possibility that a mis-typed code could clash with another customer's valid code - makes me suspect that I may not be the only person to hit this problem with medicspot. Hence, sharing my story here, with a recommendation not to risk using them yourselves.
Aug 8, 2021, 6:06 am
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 887
That is perfect - now I know exactly what to do and when. I will do in-person on Friday morning and that should be with me safely for Saturday and be valid for our return on Monday.
Now you are of course quite correct about traveling between Portugal and Spain. However, Auntie Pucci is having a new kitchen installed in the UK. The fitter needs to have a full measure up and needs me there. The kitchen is my domain so I have the last word. I decided on the side trip to Portugal is me trying to give my beloved a belated Birthday treat so that we can see friends. It also means that I can start to use an accumulation of e-Vouchers. Now, does that appear a bit less crackers my Lovely? There is method in the Old Girl's madness, and let's face it who in the real world would not think some of the Tier Point Running, B2Bs, Mattress Runs is not sheer lunacy? Good, I agree. xxxxxxxx
Seriously thank you so much for your invaluable advice both for me and for others.
Now you are of course quite correct about traveling between Portugal and Spain. However, Auntie Pucci is having a new kitchen installed in the UK. The fitter needs to have a full measure up and needs me there. The kitchen is my domain so I have the last word. I decided on the side trip to Portugal is me trying to give my beloved a belated Birthday treat so that we can see friends. It also means that I can start to use an accumulation of e-Vouchers. Now, does that appear a bit less crackers my Lovely? There is method in the Old Girl's madness, and let's face it who in the real world would not think some of the Tier Point Running, B2Bs, Mattress Runs is not sheer lunacy? Good, I agree. xxxxxxxx
Seriously thank you so much for your invaluable advice both for me and for others.
Aug 8, 2021, 6:19 am
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Berkshire
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 380
Question, only half in jest.
Is the requirement for a Day 2 PCR test for fully vaccinated citizens arriving in England from Green list countries really still necessary? Or are we witnessing another Covid money-making scam?
Is the requirement for a Day 2 PCR test for fully vaccinated citizens arriving in England from Green list countries really still necessary? Or are we witnessing another Covid money-making scam?
Aug 8, 2021, 6:43 am
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 14
. In Germany there's no need to have any test arriving from the UK for fully vaccinated for example.
Aug 8, 2021, 7:27 am
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 569
Coming in from a green list country. I notice there are several test providers that charge very little money for day-2-tests, cheapest on-site tests are GBP 20 or less.
If I merely stay in the UK for one night, can I purchase one of these to fulfill the legal requirement and then just let the test expire? Is it immaterial were the test center is located? For instance, a test center in Bradford charges GBP 17. If I fly in and out of London without any intention of going to Bradford, is one of their tests still good, provided it is for the appropriate date?
If I merely stay in the UK for one night, can I purchase one of these to fulfill the legal requirement and then just let the test expire? Is it immaterial were the test center is located? For instance, a test center in Bradford charges GBP 17. If I fly in and out of London without any intention of going to Bradford, is one of their tests still good, provided it is for the appropriate date?
Aug 8, 2021, 7:36 am
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 907
I’ve got several Day 2 tests that I’ve entered the number for on various previous Passenger Locator Forms. However, I’ve not used those tests and they remain unopened because I left before I needed to take them. Can I reuse one of those numbers on the PLF, and actually use the
tesr this time?
tesr this time?
Aug 8, 2021, 7:46 am
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,654
Coming in from a green list country. I notice there are several test providers that charge very little money for day-2-tests, cheapest on-site tests are GBP 20 or less.
If I merely stay in the UK for one night, can I purchase one of these to fulfill the legal requirement and then just let the test expire? Is it immaterial were the test center is located? For instance, a test center in Bradford charges GBP 17. If I fly in and out of London without any intention of going to Bradford, is one of their tests still good, provided it is for the appropriate date?
If I merely stay in the UK for one night, can I purchase one of these to fulfill the legal requirement and then just let the test expire? Is it immaterial were the test center is located? For instance, a test center in Bradford charges GBP 17. If I fly in and out of London without any intention of going to Bradford, is one of their tests still good, provided it is for the appropriate date?
I’ve got several Day 2 tests that I’ve entered the number for on various previous Passenger Locator Forms. However, I’ve not used those tests and they remain unopened because I left before I needed to take them. Can I reuse one of those numbers on the PLF, and actually use the
tesr this time?
tesr this time?