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]
#6346
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,510
A reminder that this thread is about UK arrivals requirements. Several posts discussing the declaration form for international departures and restrictions on leaving the country have been moved to the UK and Ireland forum.
/mod
/mod
#6347
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: DL, UA, AA, VS
Posts: 5,226
Read an article about a passenger who flew from the UK to Dallas. He had negative tests before boarding but had congested nose. By the time he landed he tested positive and brought a nasty variant with him. CDC was unable to contact trace the passengers on that flight or people he might have seen after arriving.
#6348
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 885
A word to the wise on the test to release providers, whilst I can't name names of those that are not it would be good to get a list of those that are reliable.
My day 5 was Monday, I'm sat here Friday still waiting for test results. I currently expect to get my date 8 results before the day 5.
My test to release package was not sent until day 5 so was not received until day 6, they said they received my return on day 7, but then sent a email saying I should contact them if I did not receive results by what would be my day 10. Complete waste of time. Told them no results by yesterday & I would be treating their product as not fit for purpose. They got the hint & with no results yesterday have agreed to refund payment.
My day 5 was Monday, I'm sat here Friday still waiting for test results. I currently expect to get my date 8 results before the day 5.
My test to release package was not sent until day 5 so was not received until day 6, they said they received my return on day 7, but then sent a email saying I should contact them if I did not receive results by what would be my day 10. Complete waste of time. Told them no results by yesterday & I would be treating their product as not fit for purpose. They got the hint & with no results yesterday have agreed to refund payment.
#6349
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 963
I can see where confusion comes in. CTM sends firstly a confirmation by email, with a confirmation number. Then they send an invoice by email, with text saying "this is the number you need for the PLF", presumably meaning the invoice number. The PLF however asks for the confirmation number.
When I travelled last Sunday, I put the invoice number into the PLF, as per CTM's instruction, and was through the BF hurdle very quickly.
When I travelled last Sunday, I put the invoice number into the PLF, as per CTM's instruction, and was through the BF hurdle very quickly.
#6350
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: LON, between FAB and EGTD
Programs: OWS - AA Lifetime Platinum, BA nobody (blue)
Posts: 861
I found that bit very confusing but interpreted it differently. The PLF asks for booking reference number which is given both on the initial email receipt as well as the formal invoice (but is separate from the invoice #). I was also through quickly. It seemed the real issue (amongst people who had in fact tried to comply with all requirements) when I arrived yesterday people without either the CTM formal invoice (which is sent later by all accounts) and/or any doc showing they had booked the test.
You're also right, I'm sure, in that you could probably write any number down in the PLF, so long as you have the invoice itself to show.
#6351
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 376
Sorry if it's been answered before - I browsed the last hundred posts on this thread but didn't see it - I read that if you arrive in the UK from non-redlist, and depart before the 2 and or 8 day test needs to be taken, you need to purchase the test, but you don't need to take tests once you leave. In this case, is there some official form to fill out or person you can/must notify that you have left the UK before the test date, and thus will not be sending it back? Thank you.
#6352
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,649
Sorry if it's been answered before - I browsed the last hundred posts on this thread but didn't see it - I read that if you arrive in the UK from non-redlist, and depart before the 2 and or 8 day test needs to be taken, you need to purchase the test, but you don't need to take tests once you leave. In this case, is there some official form to fill out or person you can/must notify that you have left the UK before the test date, and thus will not be sending it back? Thank you.
#6353
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Amsterdam and London
Programs: Mucci Platinum Hairbrush des Bonnes Nouvelles. BA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, AA LTS, KL LTPt, Easy Flight Club
Posts: 375
It’s actually very frustrating when you are trying to “do the right thing” in the face of what seem to be quite arbitrary and illogical requirements
#6354
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 22
The tests for days 2&5 booked over 24 hours ago but still no sight of the “booking invoice” (needed to complete the PLF). Sent email, twitter DM to CMT and tried to call (unsuccessfully, 1.5 h on hold). Due to travel to the UK tomorrow morning. Any suggestions as to what can be done in this situation?
#6355
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,649
The tests for days 2&5 booked over 24 hours ago but still no sight of the “booking invoice” (needed to complete the PLF). Sent email, twitter DM to CMT and tried to call (unsuccessfully, 1.5 h on hold). Due to travel to the UK tomorrow morning. Any suggestions as to what can be done in this situation?
Last edited by DaveS; Mar 7, 2021 at 12:28 pm
#6356
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,218
My Other Half operated a return flight from HKG yesterday (one of those 30-hour duties) and, upon arrival in T5 at 21.30-ish, she was shocked to see the immigration hall absolutely mobbed. E-gates turned off, half the UKBF booths manned but quite a few UKBF agents around checking passengers.
She had a brief chat with one of the UKBF agents who, after asking her if they were the last flight (how can she know?) vented a little bit. They couldn't use all the booths due to rules on social distancing, they had lots of passengers who hadn't received the receipt for the test-to-release thingy in addition to general cluelessness. Waiting times were in the hours, he told her, and of course people were absolutely incensed.
Frankly I have no flights booked, no real reason to fly and... no intention to given the current circumstances.
She had a brief chat with one of the UKBF agents who, after asking her if they were the last flight (how can she know?) vented a little bit. They couldn't use all the booths due to rules on social distancing, they had lots of passengers who hadn't received the receipt for the test-to-release thingy in addition to general cluelessness. Waiting times were in the hours, he told her, and of course people were absolutely incensed.
Frankly I have no flights booked, no real reason to fly and... no intention to given the current circumstances.
#6357
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 963
My Other Half operated a return flight from HKG yesterday (one of those 30-hour duties) and, upon arrival in T5 at 21.30-ish, she was shocked to see the immigration hall absolutely mobbed. E-gates turned off, half the UKBF booths manned but quite a few UKBF agents around checking passengers.
She had a brief chat with one of the UKBF agents who, after asking her if they were the last flight (how can she know?) vented a little bit. They couldn't use all the booths due to rules on social distancing, they had lots of passengers who hadn't received the receipt for the test-to-release thingy in addition to general cluelessness. Waiting times were in the hours, he told her, and of course people were absolutely incensed.
Frankly I have no flights booked, no real reason to fly and... no intention to given the current circumstances.
She had a brief chat with one of the UKBF agents who, after asking her if they were the last flight (how can she know?) vented a little bit. They couldn't use all the booths due to rules on social distancing, they had lots of passengers who hadn't received the receipt for the test-to-release thingy in addition to general cluelessness. Waiting times were in the hours, he told her, and of course people were absolutely incensed.
Frankly I have no flights booked, no real reason to fly and... no intention to given the current circumstances.
I also think that UKBF could work with the airlines to make it even more clear to passengers EXACTLY what they need to have ready at the border and to either require or strongly encourage it to be printed. Obviously the CTM invoice issue needs to be solved but given the profit they must be making processing NHS tests, one would think someone in the Home Office could step on them to fix that problem within 24 hours. Its simple IT.
#6358
Join Date: May 2012
Location: JFK, MAN
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 425
The tests for days 2&5 booked over 24 hours ago but still no sight of the “booking invoice” (needed to complete the PLF). Sent email, twitter DM to CMT and tried to call (unsuccessfully, 1.5 h on hold). Due to travel to the UK tomorrow morning. Any suggestions as to what can be done in this situation?
In my case, I completed the online payment Friday 4:10 pm UK time, and I received the confirmation email straight away (sender: North.hotels (at) travelctm (dot) com, subject: “2 COVID Test Kits Confirmation ID:YEVXXX”). (Masked out the last three letters to XXX for personal data protection.)
I received the actual invoice in a second email on Monday 11:32 am UK time (sender: [email protected], subject: “SMITH-07MAR2021-INVOICE 6172999). (Replaced my actual surname with “Smith”, and masked out the last three digits of the invoice number with 999.) This email has a PDF attachment.
As my flight departed on Saturday (and the invoice would arrive Monday only), on the PLF, I entered the 6-character booking reference from the first email. Neither the BA check-in personnel at LAX or the Border Force at T5 had any issues with it.
I won’t complete a second PLF. Border Force, NHS and CTM can connect the dots using the 6-character booking reference number as it also appears in the PDF (second email). Clearly, if I do test positive, I will give them a call to double check.
#6359
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,575
Maybe I misread, but I'm sure there have been posts from people saying they had difficulty getting through Heathrow without the Invoice email/PDF.
#6360
Join Date: May 2012
Location: JFK, MAN
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 425
- Traveller name
- Billing address
- Shipping address
- Travel route
- Payment card used
- Passport