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]
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,652
The BBC are reporting this:
The Times is saying that Turkey will come off the red list (at last). I hope it is true this time!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58591550
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...avel-63wdh9v0d
Meanwhile, the Guardian and the Times have reported that dozens of countries will be removed from the red list - the highest level of alert for international travel which means returning travellers must spend 11 nights in hotel quarantine at a cost of Ł2,285.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58591550
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...avel-63wdh9v0d
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
Just saw a discussion on BBC News re an article in Friday's Telegraph. Doesn't help much, as its focusing on returning Brits.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...g-britain-set/
The parts that grabbed my attention:
"However, the rules could get a little tighter for the unvaccinated, who may have to quarantine for 10 days whichever country they return from, increasing the incentives to get jabbed."
"Instead, there will simply be two groupings: all countries that the Government is happy for people to travel to, and a separate red list of countries that pose a Covid risk."
"This new simplification actually means that the unvaccinated face slightly tougher Covid rules, as they will now have to quarantine from nations that were on the green list.'
"It is hoped within the Government that the reforms can be put in place in time for the autumn half term, which begins on October 25 for many schools."
The big question out of all of this, and was not addressed - will the "proof of vaccination" be expanded to the current Green countries ??
Whatever the plan is, it sounds like it may not be in place by Oct 1, which would be perfect for me !
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...g-britain-set/
The parts that grabbed my attention:
"However, the rules could get a little tighter for the unvaccinated, who may have to quarantine for 10 days whichever country they return from, increasing the incentives to get jabbed."
"Instead, there will simply be two groupings: all countries that the Government is happy for people to travel to, and a separate red list of countries that pose a Covid risk."
"This new simplification actually means that the unvaccinated face slightly tougher Covid rules, as they will now have to quarantine from nations that were on the green list.'
"It is hoped within the Government that the reforms can be put in place in time for the autumn half term, which begins on October 25 for many schools."
The big question out of all of this, and was not addressed - will the "proof of vaccination" be expanded to the current Green countries ??
Whatever the plan is, it sounds like it may not be in place by Oct 1, which would be perfect for me !
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greater Metropolitan Area
Programs: Yes
Posts: 367
I can't quite understand why everyone (including the media) is still just focusing on the number of positive covid tests, which is clearly a function of the number of tests you are actually performing...
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,184
Much to my surprise I got my result back from Expert Medicals this morning (I was expecting to never see it again based on reviews!).
Same turnaround time as the NHS test a few weeks ago.
Now do I have to upload that result anywhere? Will Test and Trace come pestering me for it? (Zero contact so far - amber arrival, double jabbed).
Same turnaround time as the NHS test a few weeks ago.
Now do I have to upload that result anywhere? Will Test and Trace come pestering me for it? (Zero contact so far - amber arrival, double jabbed).
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,652
Much to my surprise I got my result back from Expert Medicals this morning (I was expecting to never see it again based on reviews!).
Same turnaround time as the NHS test a few weeks ago.
Now do I have to upload that result anywhere? Will Test and Trace come pestering me for it? (Zero contact so far - amber arrival, double jabbed).
Same turnaround time as the NHS test a few weeks ago.
Now do I have to upload that result anywhere? Will Test and Trace come pestering me for it? (Zero contact so far - amber arrival, double jabbed).
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: 63,766
Much to my surprise I got my result back from Expert Medicals this morning (I was expecting to never see it again based on reviews!).
Same turnaround time as the NHS test a few weeks ago.
Now do I have to upload that result anywhere? Will Test and Trace come pestering me for it? (Zero contact so far - amber arrival, double jabbed).
Same turnaround time as the NHS test a few weeks ago.
Now do I have to upload that result anywhere? Will Test and Trace come pestering me for it? (Zero contact so far - amber arrival, double jabbed).
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,184
Thanks CWS, it's sat in my email, so I'll just leave it and wait and see if they get in touch.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,014
Any indication on when today's announcement will be? No times on BBC or other outlets which seems a bit odd.
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,235
Learned ones, I remember that, for super-quick visits abroad (I have one such thing, out Thursday and back Friday morning, all in all 28hr outside of Blighty) I can use the same test for both departure and arrival in the UK. In other words, I can go on Wednesday evening to ExpressTest, have my LFD, get the results, fly out Thursday, do the needful, come back Friday. Local requirements are for test + vaccination and I'm good.
However, my local hosts aren't sure it's correct and would like to see the chapter & verse of the UK Legislation where this is allowed. I tried to check the SI's, gave up and went on to read ESA's quality requirements as it's actually easier to understand. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.
However, my local hosts aren't sure it's correct and would like to see the chapter & verse of the UK Legislation where this is allowed. I tried to check the SI's, gave up and went on to read ESA's quality requirements as it's actually easier to understand. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.
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: 63,766
Under Common Law, things are allowed unless prohibited. Your hosts only have a problem if they see this in Roman Law terms, where it's sort-of the other way around. The requirement for the UK's return - which I guess is your specific concern - do not state where you have to take the test, or that it has to be a new test. The requirements are for LFD, LAMP, PCR (etc) and the date range, that's it. So you are asking for something that by definition cannot be seen. In any event the pre-departure test was light touch and controlled by airline check-in staff, as you know from personal experience. And loads of people, including self, have taken advantage of doing this for short trips, and had almost no problem. The only one I had was a TAP agent asking when I went to Northern Ireland (i.e. I recycled a Randox test) but that was more out of curiosity as far as I could tell.
Maybe wait a few more hours, things are changing.
Maybe wait a few more hours, things are changing.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Sep 17, 2021 at 5:51 am
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,652
Learned ones, I remember that, for super-quick visits abroad (I have one such thing, out Thursday and back Friday morning, all in all 28hr outside of Blighty) I can use the same test for both departure and arrival in the UK. In other words, I can go on Wednesday evening to ExpressTest, have my LFD, get the results, fly out Thursday, do the needful, come back Friday. Local requirements are for test + vaccination and I'm good.
However, my local hosts aren't sure it's correct and would like to see the chapter & verse of the UK Legislation where this is allowed. I tried to check the SI's, gave up and went on to read ESA's quality requirements as it's actually easier to understand. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.
However, my local hosts aren't sure it's correct and would like to see the chapter & verse of the UK Legislation where this is allowed. I tried to check the SI's, gave up and went on to read ESA's quality requirements as it's actually easier to understand. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,235
There is nothing that says it is not allowed and that is what matters for the UK legal system. You will not find anywhere in the SI or guidance that I know of that says it is specifically allowed. But a valid test taken anywhere in the 3 days preceding the start of your flight/ferry home is OK. Even if that test was taken in the UK.
Join Date: May 2021
Location: YOW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 83
On a personal level, I'm travelling from Canada, and if the new plan, whatever is, is not in place on Oct 1, the day I arrive, I would be 100% certain that I would not need to quarantine.
It seems pretty certain that I will be OK, but was thinking of what could go wrong - such as when the plan takes effect, will they have worked out details of what they will accept for proof of vaccine. I'm a chronic over-thinker.
It seems pretty certain that I will be OK, but was thinking of what could go wrong - such as when the plan takes effect, will they have worked out details of what they will accept for proof of vaccine. I'm a chronic over-thinker.
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 607
Might be just a typo by BBC, but if indeed so, it's not nice. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-58593572
Hopefully they left out "unvaccinated" from last paragraph.
There is speculation that ministers will agree that fully vaccinated arrivals will no longer need to take a pre-departure lateral flow test or a post-arrival PCR test. This would save travellers around Ł100 per trip. According to reports, they could be required to quarantine at home and take two tests when arriving from a low-risk location under the new system.
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
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Posts: 8,476
Clearly not so much a typo as a major omission of a whole sentence! It makes absolutely no sense to state in one paragraph that vaccinated arrivals will no longer require any pre-departure LFT or post-arrival PCR test, then in the very next one say they need two tests at home.
I don't think there's any need to panic just yet .
I don't think there's any need to panic just yet .