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, Ł160, but same package sold directly bu Source Bioscience is just Ł120. 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 Ł18.99. 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 9, 2021, 10:50 am
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I did understand DaveS's reply, but I'm wondering if the PLF states she's exempt from testing requirements, will the airline still ask her to produce payment confirmation for the tests despite the PLF stating she's exempt from testing? I ask because TIMATIC and Traveldoc don't clarify this point and they just say that payment confirmation for the test must be presented with few exemptions, none of which include landside transit.
And no, she wouldn't qualify as fully vaccinated per the UK program. Plus, she's also not staying overnight; she has a five-hour layover and has to get from terminal 2 to terminal 3.
And no, she wouldn't qualify as fully vaccinated per the UK program. Plus, she's also not staying overnight; she has a five-hour layover and has to get from terminal 2 to terminal 3.
As it’s same day it’s extremely unlikely an airline is going to start demanding she should have a day 2 test. The problems on that point have more been for those doing overnight connections.
if she is concerned then just have the details of a day 2 test she could book on the day at check in - but I emphasise she won’t need it.
Sep 9, 2021, 10:51 am
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Thanks for the details. I couldn’t find them in your previous posts and they help to clarify what the advice should be.
As it’s same day it’s extremely unlikely an airline is going to start demanding she should have a day 2 test. The problems on that point have more been for those doing overnight connections.
if she is concerned then just have the details of a day 2 test she could book on the day at check in - but I emphasise she won’t need it.
As it’s same day it’s extremely unlikely an airline is going to start demanding she should have a day 2 test. The problems on that point have more been for those doing overnight connections.
if she is concerned then just have the details of a day 2 test she could book on the day at check in - but I emphasise she won’t need it.
Sep 9, 2021, 10:53 am
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After my post last night, I did a bit more thinking. Trying to put a positive spin on it. Does this make sense ?
If the UK is scrapping green and amber, that means countries are either red or they're not. No colour needed to describe them . So, they will have to accept vaccination proof from more countries.
If the UK is scrapping green and amber, that means countries are either red or they're not. No colour needed to describe them . So, they will have to accept vaccination proof from more countries.
Of course, we have only seen the early mutterings of speculation.
Sep 9, 2021, 11:40 am
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Just checking so I don't mess things up:
If my mother is to enter the UK on 17 October - what date does she need to land in another country to make sure that she is out of a red country for 10 'UK days' for counting purposes?
It is an overnight flight from her red listed country to a green listed country. Can she land there on 07 October, leaving the red country on 06 October? Or does it need to be one day before?
If my mother is to enter the UK on 17 October - what date does she need to land in another country to make sure that she is out of a red country for 10 'UK days' for counting purposes?
It is an overnight flight from her red listed country to a green listed country. Can she land there on 07 October, leaving the red country on 06 October? Or does it need to be one day before?
Sep 9, 2021, 11:54 am
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Just checking so I don't mess things up:
If my mother is to enter the UK on 17 October - what date does she need to land in another country to make sure that she is out of a red country for 10 'UK days' for counting purposes?
It is an overnight flight from her red listed country to a green listed country. Can she land there on 07 October, leaving the red country on 06 October? Or does it need to be one day before?
If my mother is to enter the UK on 17 October - what date does she need to land in another country to make sure that she is out of a red country for 10 'UK days' for counting purposes?
It is an overnight flight from her red listed country to a green listed country. Can she land there on 07 October, leaving the red country on 06 October? Or does it need to be one day before?
Sep 9, 2021, 12:10 pm
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And I can confirm that this is the correct answer. Ensure she retains evidence of departure from Brazil (I presume) on or before 6 October. As with the similar USA restrictions if she leaves Brazil on say 5 October then it puts the issue beyond discussion - there are more than 10 days involved - but 6 October would be OK too.
Sep 9, 2021, 12:28 pm
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Great, thank you. Her flight to Germany would leave Brazil 06 October at 1830, arriving in Germany 1105 on 07 October. 05 Oct would be great but she is an elderly lady arriving in DE several days before I will arrive (earliest I can meet her there is 09 October), so I really don't want to make her be there alone any longer than needs be.
Assuming the green/amber list is scrapped as of 01 October, do we think she going to have an issue with her Brazilian vaccination card (CDC style little paper, without the 'power' of recognition of it being an American piece of paper versus a third world piece of paper...) being recognised for quarantine-free entry?
Assuming the green/amber list is scrapped as of 01 October, do we think she going to have an issue with her Brazilian vaccination card (CDC style little paper, without the 'power' of recognition of it being an American piece of paper versus a third world piece of paper...) being recognised for quarantine-free entry?
Sep 9, 2021, 1:03 pm
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Assuming the green/amber list is scrapped as of 01 October, do we think she going to have an issue with her Brazilian vaccination card (CDC style little paper, without the 'power' of recognition of it being an American piece of paper versus a third world piece of paper...) being recognised for quarantine-free entry?
Sep 9, 2021, 1:46 pm
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Frustrating - since she is going to a green place that would have meant no isolation!
Sep 9, 2021, 2:06 pm
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Yes in your case you would want the old Green scheme to remain. We just have to see how the details work out. There are a number of broader impacts that need to be reolved, so for example Canadians can now enter the UK vaccinated or otherwise, since they are now Green, would we really want to make them go down the self isolation route again? Now they will be getting some sort of COVID pass, so that may unlock that one, but Brazil is more problematic.
Sep 9, 2021, 2:13 pm
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The above is this week's update from the ECDC. This shows the 14 day cumulative figures per 100,000 population.
Much of Europe is seeing some declines in rates, UK remains drifting upwards and Germany seems to be on the Delta line now. The USA figure shows a reduction, but I think that's Labor Day related. Australia is seemingly headed towards European levels of infection, it will overtake Italy on the 7 day numbers within a few days. I have retro-corrected Spain to show as Amber.
Sep 9, 2021, 3:56 pm
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... for example Canadians can now enter the UK vaccinated or otherwise, since they are now Green, would we really want to make them go down the self isolation route again? Now they will be getting some sort of COVID pass, so that may unlock that one, but Brazil is more problematic.
From Sept 1.
At first, fully vaccinated Ontarians will need their current vaccination receipt with a valid photo identification to enter premises covered under the new system. The government says that on Oct. 22, it will shift to certificates that include QR codes containing much of the same information included on the vaccination receipts that are already available. That shift will be accompanied by the release of a "verification app" that can be used to validate the QR codes and provide the vaccination status of an individual.
I have my Ontario receipts, which I will upload to my phone. I contacted the Royal Albert Hall a couple of weeks ago, after reading their page about proof of UK, EU or US vaccination, or a negative LFT. The said contact if you had been vaccinated somewhere else. So, I did, and explained the Canada situation . This was their reply.
If you have official proof of your double vaccination (whether this is the card that was given to you when receiving your vaccine, a code on a government app or an official letter from your doctor), you should be able to gain entry to the auditorium. Lateral flow tests can be picked up from most Chemists in England, so if you do not have proof you should be able to take one with ease. You can then receive a text or email with your negative result and you can bring this with you to the event.
So that eased my mind, and then yesterday happened !! Have to hope the UK gov will be as sensible
Sep 9, 2021, 8:20 pm
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Sep 9, 2021, 11:47 pm
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Sep 9, 2021, 11:49 pm
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