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]
Sep 2, 2021, 7:42 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,038
one caveat. I am changing my flight from Dfw-Mia-lhr to dfw-ams-lhr and the reverse on the way out. No issues transiting ams either end?
Sep 2, 2021, 8:20 pm
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: HANDAN
Programs: Air China Phoenix Miles
Posts: 61
Well Not doing well. Went onto the UK Gov site to sign up and gave my number and added a + before the number and just not receiving any code and when I click on not received the code to resend it, nothing comes through? So do I put an international code fro the UK to the US in front?
Sep 2, 2021, 8:37 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
Sorry if these have been answered but 712 pages is too much to read through. I have a few questions related to travel to the UK and specifically going to attend the marathon.
1. It seems the 'free' tests from CVS/Walgreens in the States is sufficient for entry into the UK. Correct?
2. Does anyone have the best/cheapest method for the day 2 test? I'll want to use something closer to day 2 so that I can also use that result for return to the US (which would be on day 4).
3. Does anyone know what a lateral flow test means for the marathon runners? The website says a lateral flow test must be taken on the day you pick up your bib. But it also says you will need to show your negative test the morning of the race. So I assume the test taken to enter the UK isn't sufficient here?
Thanks in advance!
-RM
1. It seems the 'free' tests from CVS/Walgreens in the States is sufficient for entry into the UK. Correct?
2. Does anyone have the best/cheapest method for the day 2 test? I'll want to use something closer to day 2 so that I can also use that result for return to the US (which would be on day 4).
3. Does anyone know what a lateral flow test means for the marathon runners? The website says a lateral flow test must be taken on the day you pick up your bib. But it also says you will need to show your negative test the morning of the race. So I assume the test taken to enter the UK isn't sufficient here?
Thanks in advance!
-RM
Sep 2, 2021, 9:34 pm
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC/MNL
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE
Posts: 520
Hi Everyone:
Since this is going to be uncharted waters for me, just making sure I have my bases covered.
Planning to fly YYC-LGW Oct 10-16
- Landing in LGW Oct 11
Canada testing requires I do it 3 days before I depart so booking on the 8th; results to be received on the 9th
UK upon landing requires a day 2 test, which will be on the 13th; is there a pharmacy that can do this locally? And can it be received on time?
13th should be enough to cover my 3 day return test on the 16th right?
Since this is going to be uncharted waters for me, just making sure I have my bases covered.
Planning to fly YYC-LGW Oct 10-16
- Landing in LGW Oct 11
Canada testing requires I do it 3 days before I depart so booking on the 8th; results to be received on the 9th
UK upon landing requires a day 2 test, which will be on the 13th; is there a pharmacy that can do this locally? And can it be received on time?
13th should be enough to cover my 3 day return test on the 16th right?
Sep 2, 2021, 11:37 pm
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,751
Hello.
According to the Interpretation Act 1978 s9, a reference to time means GMT unless stated otherwise.
That being so, it seems if one were to leave Indonesia (red) at 01:30 am Jakarta time on the 2nd of September for Qatar (amber), then in fact for the purposes of the Coronavirus regulations, which don't mention timezones, but say
"any time in the period beginning with the 10th day before the date of their arrival in England departed from or transited through a category 3 country or territory."
That therefore one can enter England under the amber rules from Qatar on the 12 of September (or later), given that the departure time was actually 18:30 GMT on the 1st.
This is certainly the logical interpretation and would work both ways (if you left Brazil at 11pm then that that would be the next day in the UK), however I have seen no mention of it.
I have contacted the DSHC about various matters relating to quarantine since early July and they have been an absolutely disgraceful shambles, so have no intention of following any goldplating of the law by some jobsworth but I just wonder if anyone can confirm a few things:
1) if there is legally anything wrong with my 'leaving Indonesia at 1am counts as the previous day in England' scenario
2) if anyone has heard any official pronouncement on this matter either way
3) in terms of the PLF in the stated scenario then I guess you just fill in that you had been only in Qatar in the last 10 days. However is there any sort of check on arrival, where one might have to argue with some official ?
According to the Interpretation Act 1978 s9, a reference to time means GMT unless stated otherwise.
That being so, it seems if one were to leave Indonesia (red) at 01:30 am Jakarta time on the 2nd of September for Qatar (amber), then in fact for the purposes of the Coronavirus regulations, which don't mention timezones, but say
"any time in the period beginning with the 10th day before the date of their arrival in England departed from or transited through a category 3 country or territory."
That therefore one can enter England under the amber rules from Qatar on the 12 of September (or later), given that the departure time was actually 18:30 GMT on the 1st.
This is certainly the logical interpretation and would work both ways (if you left Brazil at 11pm then that that would be the next day in the UK), however I have seen no mention of it.
I have contacted the DSHC about various matters relating to quarantine since early July and they have been an absolutely disgraceful shambles, so have no intention of following any goldplating of the law by some jobsworth but I just wonder if anyone can confirm a few things:
1) if there is legally anything wrong with my 'leaving Indonesia at 1am counts as the previous day in England' scenario
2) if anyone has heard any official pronouncement on this matter either way
3) in terms of the PLF in the stated scenario then I guess you just fill in that you had been only in Qatar in the last 10 days. However is there any sort of check on arrival, where one might have to argue with some official ?
Last edited by meester69; Sep 2, 2021 at 11:44 pm
Sep 2, 2021, 11:48 pm
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
Sorry if these have been answered but 712 pages is too much to read through. I have a few questions related to travel to the UK and specifically going to attend the marathon.
1. It seems the 'free' tests from CVS/Walgreens in the States is sufficient for entry into the UK. Correct?
2. Does anyone have the best/cheapest method for the day 2 test? I'll want to use something closer to day 2 so that I can also use that result for return to the US (which would be on day 4).
3. Does anyone know what a lateral flow test means for the marathon runners? The website says a lateral flow test must be taken on the day you pick up your bib. But it also says you will need to show your negative test the morning of the race. So I assume the test taken to enter the UK isn't sufficient here?
Thanks in advance!
-RM
1. It seems the 'free' tests from CVS/Walgreens in the States is sufficient for entry into the UK. Correct?
2. Does anyone have the best/cheapest method for the day 2 test? I'll want to use something closer to day 2 so that I can also use that result for return to the US (which would be on day 4).
3. Does anyone know what a lateral flow test means for the marathon runners? The website says a lateral flow test must be taken on the day you pick up your bib. But it also says you will need to show your negative test the morning of the race. So I assume the test taken to enter the UK isn't sufficient here?
Thanks in advance!
-RM
2- Postal tests can be cheaper. Randox for example, but there is some risk with your timing. You could look to ExpressTest or Collinson.
3- This is a rapid test. I don't see too much information on the web site for what they will accept. The day 2 test you take for entry is far better than the rapid test, but whether they will recognise that on the day is unknown. I don't know if they would accept one of the free (NHS) tests here. Probably they will since they do not say anything.
Sep 2, 2021, 11:55 pm
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
Hello.
According to the Interpretation Act 1978 s9, a reference to time means GMT unless stated otherwise.
That being so, it seems if one were to leave Indonesia (red) at 01:30 am Jakarta time on the 2nd of September for Qatar (amber), then in fact for the purposes of the Coronavirus regulations, which don't mention timezones, but say
"any time in the period beginning with the 10th day before the date of their arrival in England departed from or transited through a category 3 country or territory."
That therefore one can enter England under the amber rules from Qatar on the 12 of September (or later), given that the departure time was actually 18:30 GMT on the 1st.
This is certainly the logical interpretation and would work both ways (if you left Brazil at 11pm then that that would be the next day in the UK), however I have seen no mention of it.
I have contacted the DSHC about various matters relating to quarantine since early July and they have been an absolutely disgraceful shambles, so have no intention of following any goldplating of the law by some jobsworth but I just wonder if anyone can confirm a few things:
1) if there is legally anything wrong with my 'leaving Indonesia at 1am counts as the previous day in England' scenario
2) if anyone has heard any official pronouncement on this matter either way
3) in terms of the PLF in the stated scenario then I guess you just fill in that you had been only in Qatar in the last 10 days. However is there any sort of check on arrival, where one might have to argue with some official ?
According to the Interpretation Act 1978 s9, a reference to time means GMT unless stated otherwise.
That being so, it seems if one were to leave Indonesia (red) at 01:30 am Jakarta time on the 2nd of September for Qatar (amber), then in fact for the purposes of the Coronavirus regulations, which don't mention timezones, but say
"any time in the period beginning with the 10th day before the date of their arrival in England departed from or transited through a category 3 country or territory."
That therefore one can enter England under the amber rules from Qatar on the 12 of September (or later), given that the departure time was actually 18:30 GMT on the 1st.
This is certainly the logical interpretation and would work both ways (if you left Brazil at 11pm then that that would be the next day in the UK), however I have seen no mention of it.
I have contacted the DSHC about various matters relating to quarantine since early July and they have been an absolutely disgraceful shambles, so have no intention of following any goldplating of the law by some jobsworth but I just wonder if anyone can confirm a few things:
1) if there is legally anything wrong with my 'leaving Indonesia at 1am counts as the previous day in England' scenario
2) if anyone has heard any official pronouncement on this matter either way
3) in terms of the PLF in the stated scenario then I guess you just fill in that you had been only in Qatar in the last 10 days. However is there any sort of check on arrival, where one might have to argue with some official ?
Sep 3, 2021, 12:38 am
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,751
You are looking at some precise details and the legislation around travel restrictions falls far short when it comes to any sort of detail. I think it would be difficult for anyone to say what you want to do breaks the law or more importantly would be something you would get in trouble for here. However, the airline may and probably will take a different view at check in. That is where you will have your problems as you could be denied boarding. The airlines are being expected to police the badly drafted legislation that we have and therefore may take the strictest interpretation of that legislation. Your safest bet is to stay an extra day in Qatar.
I omitted that detail but actually the flight would be from Greece (the flight is actually Jakarta - Qatar - Athens) and almost certainly a LCC. Also the passenger has both British and Indonesian passports so there is no trace of the trip to Indonesia in the British passport.
I don't have any experience of the check-in process to the UK during this red quarantine nonsense, but are the check-in staff scrutinizing passports or what exactly ?
Sep 3, 2021, 1:45 am
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
Hmm
I omitted that detail but actually the flight would be from Greece (the flight is actually Jakarta - Qatar - Athens) and almost certainly a LCC. Also the passenger has both British and Indonesian passports so there is no trace of the trip to Indonesia in the British passport.
I don't have any experience of the check-in process to the UK during this red quarantine nonsense, but are the check-in staff scrutinizing passports or what exactly ?
I omitted that detail but actually the flight would be from Greece (the flight is actually Jakarta - Qatar - Athens) and almost certainly a LCC. Also the passenger has both British and Indonesian passports so there is no trace of the trip to Indonesia in the British passport.
I don't have any experience of the check-in process to the UK during this red quarantine nonsense, but are the check-in staff scrutinizing passports or what exactly ?
Sep 3, 2021, 1:48 am
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,991
Hello.
According to the Interpretation Act 1978 s9, a reference to time means GMT unless stated otherwise.
That being so, it seems if one were to leave Indonesia (red) at 01:30 am Jakarta time on the 2nd of September for Qatar (amber), then in fact for the purposes of the Coronavirus regulations, which don't mention timezones, but say
"any time in the period beginning with the 10th day before the date of their arrival in England departed from or transited through a category 3 country or territory."
That therefore one can enter England under the amber rules from Qatar on the 12 of September (or later), given that the departure time was actually 18:30 GMT on the 1st.
This is certainly the logical interpretation and would work both ways (if you left Brazil at 11pm then that that would be the next day in the UK), however I have seen no mention of it.
I have contacted the DSHC about various matters relating to quarantine since early July and they have been an absolutely disgraceful shambles, so have no intention of following any goldplating of the law by some jobsworth but I just wonder if anyone can confirm a few things:
1) if there is legally anything wrong with my 'leaving Indonesia at 1am counts as the previous day in England' scenario
2) if anyone has heard any official pronouncement on this matter either way
3) in terms of the PLF in the stated scenario then I guess you just fill in that you had been only in Qatar in the last 10 days. However is there any sort of check on arrival, where one might have to argue with some official ?
According to the Interpretation Act 1978 s9, a reference to time means GMT unless stated otherwise.
That being so, it seems if one were to leave Indonesia (red) at 01:30 am Jakarta time on the 2nd of September for Qatar (amber), then in fact for the purposes of the Coronavirus regulations, which don't mention timezones, but say
"any time in the period beginning with the 10th day before the date of their arrival in England departed from or transited through a category 3 country or territory."
That therefore one can enter England under the amber rules from Qatar on the 12 of September (or later), given that the departure time was actually 18:30 GMT on the 1st.
This is certainly the logical interpretation and would work both ways (if you left Brazil at 11pm then that that would be the next day in the UK), however I have seen no mention of it.
I have contacted the DSHC about various matters relating to quarantine since early July and they have been an absolutely disgraceful shambles, so have no intention of following any goldplating of the law by some jobsworth but I just wonder if anyone can confirm a few things:
1) if there is legally anything wrong with my 'leaving Indonesia at 1am counts as the previous day in England' scenario
2) if anyone has heard any official pronouncement on this matter either way
3) in terms of the PLF in the stated scenario then I guess you just fill in that you had been only in Qatar in the last 10 days. However is there any sort of check on arrival, where one might have to argue with some official ?
Firstly the referral to a definition of time is not correct since the current SI doesn't define the period in terms of time per se, but rather a period of days. The use of the word time is not as a definition of the period, but as a generic mention of some time during the defined period - which as you note is the 10 days prior to the day of arrival. Nor is there any reference to specific times so departing at 0100 or 1800 local time is irrelevant, it all counts as that day.
If you leave a red list country at 0100 on 2 September (local time) you have been in a red list country on 2 September. Should you arrive in the UK on 12 September or earlier you are a red arrival since you have been in a red list country during the preceding 10 days. In order to avoid this you need to arrive in the UK on 13 September or beyond.
Sep 3, 2021, 2:01 am
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Accor Live Limitless Gold, Hilton Honours Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,807
I will (for the moment) post these only every two weeks with a full two tables.
Risk assessment data as of 26-AUG-2021
Risk assessment data as of 09-SEP-2021
As with my previous post (see here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33505650-post10411.html), there have been relatively few changes; the vaccination rate continues to increase and for a vast majority of countries, so does the infection rate. I would like to see countries testing more, a number of the test positivity rates are over 5% which is indicative (if I recall correctly) of significant under testing.
Saudi Arabia and Czech Republic look like good Green target countries.
Risk assessment data as of 26-AUG-2021
Risk assessment data as of 09-SEP-2021
As with my previous post (see here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33505650-post10411.html), there have been relatively few changes; the vaccination rate continues to increase and for a vast majority of countries, so does the infection rate. I would like to see countries testing more, a number of the test positivity rates are over 5% which is indicative (if I recall correctly) of significant under testing.
Saudi Arabia and Czech Republic look like good Green target countries.
Sep 3, 2021, 2:03 am
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,751
You are trying to overcomplicate this far too much.
Firstly the referral to a definition of time is not correct since the current SI doesn't define the period in terms of time per se, but rather a period of days. The use of the word time is not as a definition of the period, but as a generic mention of some time during the defined period - which as you note is the 10 days prior to the day of arrival. Nor is there any reference to specific times so departing at 0100 or 1800 local time is irrelevant, it all counts as that day.
If you leave a red list country at 0100 on 2 September (local time) you have been in a red list country on 2 September. Should you arrive in the UK on 12 September or earlier you are a red arrival since you have been in a red list country during the preceding 10 days. In order to avoid this you need to arrive in the UK on 13 September or beyond.
Firstly the referral to a definition of time is not correct since the current SI doesn't define the period in terms of time per se, but rather a period of days. The use of the word time is not as a definition of the period, but as a generic mention of some time during the defined period - which as you note is the 10 days prior to the day of arrival. Nor is there any reference to specific times so departing at 0100 or 1800 local time is irrelevant, it all counts as that day.
If you leave a red list country at 0100 on 2 September (local time) you have been in a red list country on 2 September. Should you arrive in the UK on 12 September or earlier you are a red arrival since you have been in a red list country during the preceding 10 days. In order to avoid this you need to arrive in the UK on 13 September or beyond.
I'm aware that the red list stuff is an expensive waste of everyone's time and cannot hope to keep any variants out of the UK given the fact that most red countries can fly into Ireland and just enter the UK or mingle with UK residents on Ireland and I have no attention of paying it any more regard than the bare minimum required under law. That means not spending any more days on an enforced holiday in Greece than is necessary.
The Interpretation Act says 'expression of time'. That means expressions such as 'within seven days'. It is not, as you suggest, only a reference to a specific time of day.
Last edited by meester69; Sep 3, 2021 at 2:26 am
Sep 3, 2021, 2:15 am
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I'm not trying to overcomplicate anything
I'm aware that the red list stuff is an expensive waste of everyone's time and cannot hope to keep any variants out of the UK given the fact that most red countries can fly into Ireland and just enter the UK or mingle with UK residents on Ireland and I have no attention of paying it any more regard than the bare minimum required under law. That means not spending any more days on an enforced holiday in Greece than is necessary.
I'm aware that the red list stuff is an expensive waste of everyone's time and cannot hope to keep any variants out of the UK given the fact that most red countries can fly into Ireland and just enter the UK or mingle with UK residents on Ireland and I have no attention of paying it any more regard than the bare minimum required under law. That means not spending any more days on an enforced holiday in Greece than is necessary.
Sep 3, 2021, 2:19 am
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I'm aware that the red list stuff is an expensive waste of everyone's time and cannot hope to keep any variants out of the UK given the fact that most red countries can fly into Ireland and just enter the UK or mingle with UK residents on Ireland and I have no attention of paying it any more regard than the bare minimum required under law. That means not spending any more days on an enforced holiday in Greece than is necessary.
At the end of the day I have given you an answer, although I appreciate you don't like it due to your strong feelings on the subject. You are free to choose what you want to do but some choices may be subject to consequences if you get it wrong.
Sep 3, 2021, 2:34 am
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Fine, in which case just allow 10 full days, by the calendar, before you get to the UK. You can reasonably assume that the Border Force has a better record of your movements than you have. Much of English and Welsh legislation is based on calendar days rather than blocks of 24 hours. In any case 10 days in Greece at this time of year would be quite a bonus.
Anyway, the law is ambiguous; if there is something definitive somewhere that someone can point to that would be helpful.
Last edited by meester69; Sep 3, 2021 at 2:45 am