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]
Nov 28, 2021, 4:32 am
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Is there anybody on this planet among those who do a modicum of international travel who has not yet understood, despite the experience of the last 18 months, that covid-related rules and requirements can change at short notice and that, if you buy tests or make other arrangements well in advance based on the current requirements, there is a substantial risk that you may need to cancel/re-arrange your plans?
Nov 28, 2021, 4:42 am
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
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The Welsh Government has confirmed Wales is bringing in the same international travel measures as the rest of the UK. It was pointed out that they were not in favour of moving away from PCR tests as day two tests back in October.
Nov 28, 2021, 4:43 am
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The reason that this was changed to a PCR is because among the mutations of the B.1.1.529, one does not lighten up a particular sequence on a PCR test and make Omicron possible to identify with a PCR without sequencing. Which is a good news because it means easier and quicker follow up of the dispersion and transmission.
https://www.who.int/srilanka/news/de...ant-of-concern
So there is a scientific, logical and very sensible rationale for the change to a PCR.
Fact-based break completed, the regular mocking can continue.
https://www.who.int/srilanka/news/de...ant-of-concern
So there is a scientific, logical and very sensible rationale for the change to a PCR.
Fact-based break completed, the regular mocking can continue.
Putting massive extra workload on a PCR system that has presumably been somewhat wound-down only seems likely to delay identification of Omicron cases, if anything.
Nov 28, 2021, 5:02 am
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Can you not get the same by requiring a follow-up PCR for anyone who gets a positive on the LF though? (Which would be a wise thing for the traveller to do anyway) If there is some new worry regarding the accuracy of LF and Omicron, then that ought to be widely published as it affects non-travellers. If the issue is incubation then change the test to be only on day two.
Putting massive extra workload on a PCR system that has presumably been somewhat wound-down only seems likely to delay identification of Omicron cases, if anything.
Putting massive extra workload on a PCR system that has presumably been somewhat wound-down only seems likely to delay identification of Omicron cases, if anything.
PCRs - fortunately - can give a very quick rough and ready check on Omicron, it drops one of the 3 markers used, Alpha was similar (different marker though). On the other hand the unconfirmed reports that we have are that the symptoms of Omicron are different (and seemingly milder) than Delta so I can see a LFD approach isn't going to work. This is about slowing down Omicron rather than stopping it, so the measures coming in should be read in that context. At this stage it would be useful to identify Omicron cases and keep it confined until we know more.
Nov 28, 2021, 6:25 am
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,974
Am I reading the updated requirements right that Scotland requires a PCR Day 2 test but not self isolation while you wait for the results
Edit: never mind the scot.gov site hasn’t been updated yet.
Edit: never mind the scot.gov site hasn’t been updated yet.
Last edited by olouie; Nov 28, 2021 at 6:33 am
Nov 28, 2021, 6:29 am
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PCRs - fortunately - can give a very quick rough and ready check on Omicron, it drops one of the 3 markers used, Alpha was similar (different marker though). On the other hand the unconfirmed reports that we have are that the symptoms of Omicron are different (and seemingly milder) than Delta so I can see a LFD approach isn't going to work. This is about slowing down Omicron rather than stopping it, so the measures coming in should be read in that context. At this stage it would be useful to identify Omicron cases and keep it confined until we know more.
For my part, I was meant to be flying in to BHX on Thursday afternoon for my father's retirement ceremony on Friday morning. The only chance I seem to have of attending now is hoping that ExpressTest can turn that round before I wake up on Friday.
Nov 28, 2021, 6:43 am
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I'm not taking issue with keeping a better eye on Omicron, nor requiring self-isolation until a negative test has been recorded. My point is that the variant insight given by a PCR test can be gained by a mandating a follow-up PCR in the event of a positive LF test [I don't know if this was already policy or just good sense left to the traveller]. Obviously, this has the advantage of only burdening most travellers with self-isolation for long enough to take their mandated LF test rather than the much longer - and unknown - processing time and higher cost of a first-up PCR.
Nov 28, 2021, 6:58 am
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I hope that it works out. When my wife and I took the ExpressTest PCR test at Heathrow T2 in mid-September around 11am, we had the emailed results back to us late that same day (just prior to midnight). I'm hoping for the same speed with our tests this coming Saturday, but I appreciate that their stated turnaround is the following day by 10pm.
Nov 28, 2021, 7:00 am
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If the symptoms are milder, as we all hope they are, then i am unclear why we tighten the borders
Hopefully you are correct and everything opens back up soon
Hopefully you are correct and everything opens back up soon
Nov 28, 2021, 7:08 am
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The DfT has just circulated a guideline update to airlines and other transport operators, amending the script for those arriving in England - recent travellers will be familiar with the current version. This is the version that should be read out to passengers from Tuesday.
Fully vaccinated passengers who are not red-list passengers
Still no sight of the SI yet, I suspect that will be Monday now.
Originally Posted by DfT
Fully vaccinated passengers who are not red-list passengers
- Book a test for day 2 – this must be a PCR test
- Complete a passenger locator form
- Self-isolate on arrival and until the result of your day 2 test is known. You may only leave self-isolation if the test is negative.
Still no sight of the SI yet, I suspect that will be Monday now.
Nov 28, 2021, 7:25 am
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Finland
Posts: 1,212
Can fit to fly be used as a day 2?
I noticed some providers can do extremely quick turnarounds (3 hours) for 'fit to fly' tests. Can this be done as a day 2 test? Appreciate any advice here!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Nov 28, 2021, 7:28 am
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One area of clarification if anyone can help.
With “self isolate until your negative result”, what impact would that have on folks wanting to use public transport or taxis from the airport to their isolation location?
With “self isolate until your negative result”, what impact would that have on folks wanting to use public transport or taxis from the airport to their isolation location?
Nov 28, 2021, 7:34 am
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Don't think too much into it. But yes that's fine.
Nov 28, 2021, 7:50 am
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Appointments availability
Is anyone else noticing limited availability in early December already? I went to book ExpressTest online. As I did not see terminal 2 listed for the arrivals PCR, I selected Paddington. The first available date shown was December 9! Luckily I needed it a day after, so I was able to make a booking and pay GBP 69. I did not see a faster option than “by 10pm the next day”. They had added a disclaimer to say results MAY take up to 48 hrs…. I’ll be watching reviews here to see what the actual turnaround times end up being.
Nov 28, 2021, 7:51 am
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Because we do not know that at all. "If the symptoms are milder" are based on an out of context quote from one ZA doctor. The quote is longer and anyone bothering to read it would read that this is among a population of very young and healthy people,some vaccinated, and that it is unknown about older people or ones with comorbidites.