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UK arrivals - pre-departure, quarantine and post-arrival [currently no requirements]

Old Jun 4, 2020, 5:57 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: NewbieRunner
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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.

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)
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UK arrivals - pre-departure, quarantine and post-arrival [currently no requirements]

 
Old Sep 3, 2021, 7:41 am
  #10696  
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,703
Originally Posted by Eudemian
Just looking to book my return flight to London now. I'm flying from the West so time zones are "in my favour" as it were.

I leave MEX at 23:00 on 5th Sept local time (which is technically 6th Sept in UK time). I land in the UK, before transiting to Switzerland, in the afternoon/ evening on the 6th.

"If you have been in a red list country on 2 September you must arrive in the UK no earlier than the 13 September in order to avoid being classified as a red list arrival."

Based on this, I wanted to make sure it's the case that I can arrive in the UK on the 16th of Sept with no problems right? 16th is much preferable for me vs the 17th -- so just wanted to check with everyone here to be sure! Thanks.
So if you are doing a same day transit that would be fine anyway, which would cover you for your MEX-LHR-Switzerland when you pass through LHR on 6 September.

In terms of a later flight back to the UK, if you were last in a red list country on 5 September as you note then if you came to the UK on 15 September or earlier you would be a red list arrival. You need to arrive no earlier that 16 September to avoid that, so yes I agree with your reasoning as you would have a clear 10 day period before (6 to 15 September) where you had not been in or transited a red list country.

Arriving in the UK on 16 September should be fine and you won't be a red list arrival.
DaveS likes this.

Last edited by KARFA; Sep 3, 2021 at 7:52 am
KARFA is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 7:48 am
  #10697  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,760
Originally Posted by Buster
A number of people have used binaxNow for entry, but it has to be the proctored kind you get from eMed (not just the kind you get from the store and administer yourself). The Walgreens administered kind that you are using should be fine. As I understand it, it's just binaxNow, but adminstered by Walgreens at their store. I don't have one near me that does it, so I'm using the eMed kit.

Otherwise, my plan is exactly the same as yours: eMed for entry to UK, Randox for day 2, binaxNow for US return.
Yes that's what I have -- doctored test I bought available only as a six pack for $150. I might as well use them both ways if I can
enviroian is online now  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 8:05 am
  #10698  
mhy
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York City
Programs: JGC
Posts: 445
Will be landing in LHR then taking a train to Scotland (Edinburgh). Just got an email from NHS Scotland telling me I need a day 2 test on arrival in Scotland.
I already have a day 2 test booked at Heathrow after landing. Do I need another test in Scotland?
mhy is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 8:28 am
  #10699  
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
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Posts: 17,832
Originally Posted by mhy
Will be landing in LHR then taking a train to Scotland (Edinburgh). Just got an email from NHS Scotland telling me I need a day 2 test on arrival in Scotland.
I already have a day 2 test booked at Heathrow after landing. Do I need another test in Scotland?

Hi,

No you don't. the heathrow test will do fine.

Regards
Tbs
KARFA, DaveS and mhy like this.
The _Banking_Scot is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 8:42 am
  #10700  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC/MNL
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE
Posts: 520
Thanks @Buster about Randox. Im going to use them for my Day 2 which, by timing, might be sufficient as proof for my return back to Canada
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Old Sep 3, 2021, 8:54 am
  #10701  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NH, USA
Programs: AA Million Miler, Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat
Posts: 393
While many here have been through the fit to fly process I had not and tend to be a worrier, as I just did my first test I thought some may find it of use. I booked my Fit to Fly tests via Qured, they have an online proctored/supervised test where you book a video call. The test had arrived several days back and the process was straightforward. It seemed my call was with a young guy in England sat in his bedroom - the wonders of work from home. A few verification questions, swab my nose, stick the swap in the liquid for 30 seconds then stick the test strip in and start a 15 minute timer. He had me write out the date, time and a reference to his initials then told me I have to place the strip on the paper with my passport and send a photograph when the fifteen minutes is up.

Fifteen minutes later a neat blue line shows a negative result, took a picture, mailed it off and within five minutes I had my "fit to fly" letter in my account. I thought I'd get a VeriFly QR Code but must have misunderstood so I just did a manual uplaod to VeriFly for confirmation, haven't heard back from them as yet but it all looks promising.
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Old Sep 3, 2021, 9:18 am
  #10702  
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by KARFA
So if you are doing a same day transit that would be fine anyway, which would cover you for your MEX-LHR-Switzerland when you pass through LHR on 6 September.

In terms of a later flight back to the UK, if you were last in a red list country on 5 September as you note then if you came to the UK on 15 September or earlier you would be a red list arrival. You need to arrive no earlier that 16 September to avoid that, so yes I agree with your reasoning as you would have a clear 10 day period before (6 to 15 September) where you had not been in or transited a red list country.

Arriving in the UK on 16 September should be fine and you won't be a red list arrival.
Thank you KARFA! Super helpful, lifesaver with the advice. As with the GVA b2b will report back with how everything goes
DaveS likes this.
Eudemian is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 9:34 am
  #10703  
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 129
Originally Posted by enviroian
Yes that's what I have -- doctored test I bought available only as a six pack for $150. I might as well use them both ways if I can
Yes, this is my plan as well.

eMed BinaxNOW for both UK and US entry with a boots day 2 test
jsimon926 is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 1:07 pm
  #10704  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: BHX
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 162
Expert Medicals being investigated...

Just read on the BBC that a 'probe' has been launched into Expert Medicals by the CMA:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58439049

Like a number of users, I opted for their 28+7.99 option for my recent trip, posted our tests out to them on Weds and not yet heard anything... could well receive results this evening but judging by the story on the beeb, it's unlikely!

It'll be interesting to see whether refunds will follow for late results etc. - their website explicitly states they're not liable, and I'm not sure if it's a three day turnaround from posting or receipt, but they've had over 100 from me to do a lateral flow test - given it's all pretty much a government backed scam, I hope there is some recovery for travellers, but not holding my breath!
DaveS and remaxmac like this.
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Old Sep 3, 2021, 2:27 pm
  #10705  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,627
Originally Posted by dadio77
Just read on the BBC that a 'probe' has been launched into Expert Medicals by the CMA:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58439049

Like a number of users, I opted for their 28+7.99 option for my recent trip, posted our tests out to them on Weds and not yet heard anything... could well receive results this evening but judging by the story on the beeb, it's unlikely!

It'll be interesting to see whether refunds will follow for late results etc. - their website explicitly states they're not liable, and I'm not sure if it's a three day turnaround from posting or receipt, but they've had over 100 from me to do a lateral flow test - given it's all pretty much a government backed scam, I hope there is some recovery for travellers, but not holding my breath!
Unfortunately the day 2 testing is looking like a scam now from some providers. I don't know if it is a majority. I reported earlier in this thread that Randox had not provided results for my family. Others an I have had good experience with Randox in the past, but not so this time. We are on day 13 now and still nothing. The tests were returned on time and delivery very quickly by Royal Mail. No response from Randox to a support request sent Wednesday afternoon. Who knows, our tests could have been positive and we have been spreading COVID around Kent... I kind of hope not to hear anything as the next step will be a chargeback through the credit card used.
dadio77 likes this.
DaveS is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 3:05 pm
  #10706  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 601
Originally Posted by dadio77
Just read on the BBC that a 'probe' has been launched into Expert Medicals by the CMA:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58439049

Like a number of users, I opted for their 28+7.99 option for my recent trip, posted our tests out to them on Weds and not yet heard anything... could well receive results this evening but judging by the story on the beeb, it's unlikely!

It'll be interesting to see whether refunds will follow for late results etc. - their website explicitly states they're not liable, and I'm not sure if it's a three day turnaround from posting or receipt, but they've had over 100 from me to do a lateral flow test - given it's all pretty much a government backed scam, I hope there is some recovery for travellers, but not holding my breath!
Great! You can guess three times who ordered the kit from them yesterday... Since they are no longer on Gov list I guess PLF won't accept their booking reference.
flyslow is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 3:19 pm
  #10707  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC/MNL
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy SE
Posts: 520
Oh dang is there a trusted source that can do Day 2 Testing via a person and not a home kit?
flipstah is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 3:40 pm
  #10708  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
Originally Posted by DaveS
Unfortunately the day 2 testing is looking like a scam now from some providers. I don't know if it is a majority. I reported earlier in this thread that Randox had not provided results for my family. Others an I have had good experience with Randox in the past, but not so this time. We are on day 13 now and still nothing. The tests were returned on time and delivery very quickly by Royal Mail. No response from Randox to a support request sent Wednesday afternoon. Who knows, our tests could have been positive and we have been spreading COVID around Kent... I kind of hope not to hear anything as the next step will be a chargeback through the credit card used.
Are you absolutely sure they received your tests? Both mine and a friend's family have done the tests and received results all within the time you have been waiting. We all used their drop boxes though.
1010101 is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 6:07 pm
  #10709  
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: YOW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 83
Originally Posted by 1010101
For what it's worth tests within Europe are significantly cheaper than those available in the UK. In Germany specifically you can get a PCR test for <50 and an antigen test for about half that, and it's one of the more expensive countries...
A friend is traveling to England from Germany (she lives Kempen NR-W) in a few weeks. Any links for pre-travel testing (preferably a UK accepted rapid antigen test) that I could share with her would be greatly appreciated. I offered to help her get her trip organised, as she's got lots going on, doesn't have a lot of time to research, and wants to make sure she gets everything right. I'm pretty OK with the rest, including what she needs to do to return home.
Thanks in advance.
Baygirl2017 is offline  
Old Sep 3, 2021, 8:14 pm
  #10710  
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Anyone got any experiences booking the 10 day Quarantine Hotel through the gov.uk/ctm website?

I put the application in 2 days back but the website did not give any reciept or accept that the form was in the system. Is this usual?
The helpline and ctm email are not helpful and have not confirmed if the booking is being processed.
The flight is scheduled for sept 13th how soon/late do they reply if the booking is confirmed?

Thank you
NU94 is offline  

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