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 17, 2021, 10:27 am
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,439
Whilst continuing changes and disruptions are challenging for any organisation to keep up with in any quagmire, these new rules for England are far better than they were.
Sep 17, 2021, 10:32 am
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,657
No pre-departure test from 4th October. You can replace the overpriced day 2 PCR with a presumably overpriced LFT from an unknown date in October.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Sep 17, 2021 at 11:08 am Reason: Removed reference to a deleted post
Sep 17, 2021, 10:35 am
Join Date: May 2021
Location: YOW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 83
Here is all the guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-ambe...land#new-rules
Again, lots of arbitrariness: mix-and-match acceptable if you're Canadian, but not if you're European. Is a trial in France not as good as a trial in Canada? A step forward, but not enough.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-ambe...land#new-rules
Again, lots of arbitrariness: mix-and-match acceptable if you're Canadian, but not if you're European. Is a trial in France not as good as a trial in Canada? A step forward, but not enough.
Sep 17, 2021, 10:37 am
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
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What's missing is Mixed vaccines in EU (Germany, Norway and more) being accepted. They have not altered the bit about Mixed Vaccines in the general "what counts as fully vaccinated" section that I can see. I'm sure it will be though. If they accepted mixed vaccines from other countries, they have to accept them from Europe ?
Sep 17, 2021, 11:02 am
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Within Europe, a mixed dose gets you a DCC, and a DCC is and will be OK for entry into the UK. I think the mixed dose factor is a red herring here,which I don't think it's going to impact any of the key countries involved. The thing that most people seem to have missed is that going to the UK is now essentially about a PLF, which will be amended in October for the new testing options. All check-in now needs to check is that you have a completed PLF, since the rest of enforcement goes to NHST&T.
Sep 17, 2021, 11:17 am
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,751
New rules hilariously worse than what some 'experts' were spinning.
Basically green gone. Everything now amber.
Silly scraps of paper accepted as proof of vaccine from US where vaccine forgery is absolutely rampant and practically a religion among half the population.
A few extra countries now accepted for vaccine even where other countries will accept anything.
Just a tiny number of countries removed from the list even where they have been huge falls in infection rates, such as Indonesia.
So an arbitrary cliff between vaccine countries which are accepted and can go back to work and those who have to twiddle thumbs for 11 days, and then an even bigger cliff between countries such as Pakistan which have sent literally thousands of infected passengers to the UK but can go back and forward with impunity, and those added to the list at some point and thus subject to inertia for removal
Basically green gone. Everything now amber.
Silly scraps of paper accepted as proof of vaccine from US where vaccine forgery is absolutely rampant and practically a religion among half the population.
A few extra countries now accepted for vaccine even where other countries will accept anything.
Just a tiny number of countries removed from the list even where they have been huge falls in infection rates, such as Indonesia.
So an arbitrary cliff between vaccine countries which are accepted and can go back to work and those who have to twiddle thumbs for 11 days, and then an even bigger cliff between countries such as Pakistan which have sent literally thousands of infected passengers to the UK but can go back and forward with impunity, and those added to the list at some point and thus subject to inertia for removal
Sep 17, 2021, 11:24 am
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,709
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).
Sep 17, 2021, 11:27 am
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver, Amex Platinum
Posts: 149
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 !
Within Europe, a mixed dose gets you a DCC, and a DCC is and will be OK for entry into the UK. I think the mixed dose factor is a red herring here,which I don't think it's going to impact any of the key countries involved. The thing that most people seem to have missed is that going to the UK is now essentially about a PLF, which will be amended in October for the new testing options. All check-in now needs to check is that you have a completed PLF, since the rest of enforcement goes to NHST&T.
Sep 17, 2021, 11:38 am
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,812
Nothing I can see about young people and vaccine status today though. If they are not going to double vaccinate 12-16 year olds they won’t be considered ‘fully vaccinated’ so families with kids in this age group wishing to travel overseas still have to go through all the rigmarole of testing. I think those of us in this category need specific guidance - hopefully it will come.
Sep 17, 2021, 11:39 am
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,751
Nothing I can see about young people and vaccine status today though. If they are not going to double vaccinate 12-16 year olds they won’t be considered ‘fully vaccinated’ so families with kids in this age group wishing to travel overseas still have to go through all the rigmarole of testing. I think those of us in this category need specific guidance - hopefully it will come.
I would say it's extremely likely that will continue.
Sep 17, 2021, 12:36 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Sep 17, 2021, 1:03 pm
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,553
Scotland is NOT aligning with any of the testing changes
Sep 17, 2021, 1:14 pm
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
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Due to the domestic politics of the US, the CDC cards are all that is possible. And vaccine forgery is hardly "rampant and practically a religion among half the population." There are certainly cases of forged cards, but if they were "rampant," as you claim, the media would be screaming with constant headlines about it. And most of the minority of people who would go to the trouble & risk of forging a CDC card likely aren't the sort of people who would travel to the UK anyway.
Last edited by LETTERBOY; Sep 17, 2021 at 1:15 pm Reason: left out a word
Sep 17, 2021, 1:42 pm
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
If you happen to live in a country currently on the Green list (as we do) and happen to have an (unvaccinated) 11 year old with a birthday coming up very soon (as we do) this is looking like a temporary step backwards <sigh>
What's the last date an unvaccinated Green-lister can land in the UK under the existing rules without having to quarantine? EDIT: Sunday 3 October?
What's the last date an unvaccinated Green-lister can land in the UK under the existing rules without having to quarantine? EDIT: Sunday 3 October?
Last edited by shorthauldad; Sep 17, 2021 at 1:53 pm Reason: typos
Sep 17, 2021, 1:53 pm
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: I am a lowly ant
Posts: 1,751
Due to the domestic politics of the US, the CDC cards are all that is possible. And vaccine forgery is hardly "rampant and practically a religion among half the population." There are certainly cases of forged cards, but if they were "rampant," as you claim, the media would be screaming with constant headlines about it. And most of the minority of people who would go to the trouble & risk of forging a CDC card likely aren't the sort of people who would travel to the UK anyway.
https://www.npr.org/sections/coronav...s-on-instagram
https://apnews.com/article/coronavir...022b34087df8cb
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58309026
https://cbs4indy.com/news/fbi-receiv...vaccine-cards/
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/researc...-biden-mandate
(just a few of thousands of hits)