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 27, 2021, 6:24 am
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NH, USA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat
Posts: 393
The lack of a national database for the vaccinated in the US lies squarely with the prior administration. The states have their own databases, probably. As a provider I asked for permission to access the Texas database. I was initially denied because I did not provide vaccine administration for patients. So my back up plan was to message my PCP/regional clinic. They checked my status with the state database and put my vax status in the EMR. Now i can download a pdf with official looking letterhead. I suspect the CDC card may stop being OK. The fakes are selling like hotcakes. Meanwhile my ICU has no room for anyone else.
https://www.kxan.com/investigations/...vaccine-cards/
https://www.kxan.com/investigations/...vaccine-cards/
My personal opinion of the pandemic in the US is very disappointing, had the nation pulled together I believe a lot of lives could have been saved and the impact of Covid controlled much better, instead it is a massively politically charged situation with excuses galore. I read posts every day from people that even now do not understand the push for mask wearing along the lines of "if you're wearing your mask why do you care if I do?". It's a very sad state of affairs in my opinion.
Aug 27, 2021, 6:54 am
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 135
Yes it is very strange that CDC cards are allowed, given that the decision was made at the same time as the EU's digital equivalent (EU DCC) was also accepted by the UK - the EU DCC is a more secure recording system though not foolproof. Even stranger was that Canadians were not initially in the loop here because each Province / Territory / various other government agencies had their own proof system, so Canada was excluded because of complexity. It's bonkers that the land that invented open access databases is the one place not using them properly to record vaccines, but at least there is a common format CDC card which is easy to understand. So yes, the CDC card is totally ok for this purpose - it will mainly be checked by the airline rather than passport control - and that is also the same story in the rest of Europe. And happily another solution was found for Canadian residents.
The lack of a national database for the vaccinated in the US lies squarely with the prior administration. The states have their own databases, probably. As a provider I asked for permission to access the Texas database. I was initially denied because I did not provide vaccine administration for patients. So my back up plan was to message my PCP/regional clinic. They checked my status with the state database and put my vax status in the EMR. Now i can download a pdf with official looking letterhead. My third shot is not reflected in the EMR yet, just on the card. I suspect the CDC card may stop being OK. The fakes are selling like hotcakes. Meanwhile my ICU has no room for anyone else.
https://www.kxan.com/investigations/...vaccine-cards/
https://www.kxan.com/investigations/...vaccine-cards/
Aug 27, 2021, 7:14 am
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NH, USA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat
Posts: 393
Yeah, I found https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-1...tificates.html and I'm going to look into getting a cert like that in addition to the CDC ones. Not sure if I have to reach out to a medical professional in order to get that certificate though.
Aug 27, 2021, 8:18 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: 63,857
Don't take your passport around with you, you are not required to prove ID in the UK even by a police officer (to cut a long story short) and even if you do want to prove ID it can be something else other than a passport. So it's not worth the risk of loss / theft. Keep the passport and CDC card somewhere secure at the hotel - who may want to see the passport or other ID at check-in.
Aug 27, 2021, 9:19 am
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,593
It could be some combination of cookie and advert blocking but I mostly turned those off to test.
Aug 27, 2021, 11:05 am
Join Date: May 2021
Location: YOW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 83
I'd like to change the date and departure city of an Avios booking and have a few questions, hoping for a bit of feedback/advice.
Is it possible to change both details, or do I need to cancel and book a new flight? From what I see on the Manage My Booking tool, I can only change time and date. I think the two changes can only be done with cash bookings and by phone ? At the moment I'm on the phone, on hold with BA Exec Club (for about 90min so far). But if someone can confirm that I have to cancel my flight and book a new one, I don't need to talk to anyone at BA.
I'm currently booked YUL to LHR on Sept 26, and now with Canada being Green, I want to change date to 30th, and I'm thinking that by departing from YYZ there might be less risk of cancellation.
I want the safest surest booking, because the date of my departure is important due to events in London, but also the date of my pre-departure test Covid test.
It seems a lot of the YUL-LHR flights have been cancelled around now. But, I guess that's not surprising, and things will likely get better soon. But, I'm thinking Toronto might be better departure point for me, although more expensive to get there than Montreal. As my trip is getting closer, I'm at the point where saving a couple of hundred $$ is no longer a priority.
Re cancellations - does anyone know when BA decides to cancel flights? How many days ? What options are offered apart from refund ?
Re being Green, I would hope it's not possible that UK would move us back to Amber and unvaccinated before Sept 30 ? Even though our cases are going up?
This is so stressful. And I'm a chronic overthinker, which doesn't help !!!!
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Is it possible to change both details, or do I need to cancel and book a new flight? From what I see on the Manage My Booking tool, I can only change time and date. I think the two changes can only be done with cash bookings and by phone ? At the moment I'm on the phone, on hold with BA Exec Club (for about 90min so far). But if someone can confirm that I have to cancel my flight and book a new one, I don't need to talk to anyone at BA.
I'm currently booked YUL to LHR on Sept 26, and now with Canada being Green, I want to change date to 30th, and I'm thinking that by departing from YYZ there might be less risk of cancellation.
I want the safest surest booking, because the date of my departure is important due to events in London, but also the date of my pre-departure test Covid test.
It seems a lot of the YUL-LHR flights have been cancelled around now. But, I guess that's not surprising, and things will likely get better soon. But, I'm thinking Toronto might be better departure point for me, although more expensive to get there than Montreal. As my trip is getting closer, I'm at the point where saving a couple of hundred $$ is no longer a priority.
Re cancellations - does anyone know when BA decides to cancel flights? How many days ? What options are offered apart from refund ?
Re being Green, I would hope it's not possible that UK would move us back to Amber and unvaccinated before Sept 30 ? Even though our cases are going up?
This is so stressful. And I'm a chronic overthinker, which doesn't help !!!!
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Aug 27, 2021, 11:14 am
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: AC E50K (MM) FB (Platinum)
Posts: 216
Class dummy time -- I wonder if you could please explain that last sentence. What is the "other solution" for Canada? Is Canada being treated differently from other green countries, and if so, how? Thanks in advance.
Aug 27, 2021, 11:25 am
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DWC
Programs: OWS, *A G
Posts: 626
Has anyone booked with Express Medicals within the last day or two? The website isn't working for me - I fill in the form and then it just reloads empty when I attempt to submit.
It could be some combination of cookie and advert blocking but I mostly turned those off to test.
It could be some combination of cookie and advert blocking but I mostly turned those off to test.
Aug 27, 2021, 12:25 pm
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DWC
Programs: OWS, *A G
Posts: 626
…without the plastic tube with the liquid in it.
What is the best course of action? I am double vaccinated and work from home anyway so self-isolation is not a concern.
Thanks.
Aug 27, 2021, 1:07 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,784
Recognised vaccines for the USA
Residents in the USA must have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Proof of an approved USA vaccination programme
You need to show a CDC card showing you’ve had a full course of an FDA-approved vaccine in the USA.
You’ll also need to show proof of residency, such as a USA passport, visa or Green Card.
The above, and other info you will need can be found here.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-t...virus-covid-19
Aug 27, 2021, 1:20 pm
Join Date: May 2021
Location: YOW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 83
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Aug 27, 2021, 3:10 pm
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York City
Programs: JGC
Posts: 445
Had a random thought.
My flight to LHR leaves at 11PM on a Friday. If I take my predeparture COVID antigen test on Tuesday morning (3 calendar days before my flight) but my flight is delayed by an hour and instead leaves on Saturday at midnight, would that invalidate my test result (as Tuesday is 4 days before Saturday) and could I be denied boarding as a result? Should I take it on Wednesday to be safe?
My flight to LHR leaves at 11PM on a Friday. If I take my predeparture COVID antigen test on Tuesday morning (3 calendar days before my flight) but my flight is delayed by an hour and instead leaves on Saturday at midnight, would that invalidate my test result (as Tuesday is 4 days before Saturday) and could I be denied boarding as a result? Should I take it on Wednesday to be safe?
Aug 27, 2021, 3:24 pm
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,593
I would've done the Collinson on-site one at LHR except I arrive after 7pm when they close.
Aug 27, 2021, 4:04 pm
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DWC
Programs: OWS, *A G
Posts: 626
Thanks. Not that I care too much whether the test arrives or not (vax'd and coming from somewhere green, although I do like the idea that the UK does at least some arrivals sequencing) but the fact I couldn't order it meant I picked Randox instead. £43 instead of £28 though.
I would've done the Collinson on-site one at LHR except I arrive after 7pm when they close.
I would've done the Collinson on-site one at LHR except I arrive after 7pm when they close.
But an our away from Day 7 and with still no test to use, I’m getting a bit frustrated with it all.
Aug 27, 2021, 4:24 pm
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: 63,857
USA remains Amber, which brings in vaccination as an alternative to self isolation, Canada being Green is the other solution when vaccination proof is more tricky, since being Green means this isn't relevant to travel.