Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced stricter entry rules for travellers arriving into the UK from abroad. The news comes following the discovery of new variant of concern, Omicron.
What do travellers have to do before entering the UK?
All arrivals coming into the UK from abroad must continue to fill in a passenger locator form. This must be done in the 48 hours before travel.
Fully vaccinated arrivals from eligible countries no longer need to take a coronavirus test before setting off, however they must be able to prove they are fully vaccinated.
Eligible countries include the UK and EU, as well as several other nations such as Hong Kong, Pakistan, India and Turkey.
Passengers who are not fully vaccinated are required to take a PCR or lateral flow test in the three days before travel to the UK. Free tests from the NHS cannot be used for the purposes of facilitating travel.
Unvaccinated arrivals must also quarantine at home for 10 days after arrival in the UK, as well as take a PCR test on or before day two and on or after their return.
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Rory Boland, Which? travel editor said:“Travellers will understand the rationale behind the government’s decision to reintroduce mandatory PCR tests for those returning to the UK, but there is confusion from travellers already abroad about exactly which documentation is required and whether people are entitled to refunds for unused lateral flow tests.
“In the past, travellers have been badly let down by a dysfunctional PCR testing market that left them exposed to extortionate prices and unreliable providers. The government’s official list of PCR test providers is still rife with companies promoting misleading prices and we are yet to see any meaningful action from the CMA’s audit of the private testing system.
“Now that the government has taken the decision to reintroduce mandatory PCR tests, it must swiftly implement the CMA’s recommendations for private testing and ensure safe, reliable and affordable tests are available for all travellers. In the meantime, we urge those thinking of travelling to only book with providers that have a good record of providing test kits and processing results on time.”
Arrivals must isolate in a Government approved hotel for 10 days (11 nights) at their own expense.
This is a cost of £2,285 for one adult, £1,430 for an additional adult or child over 11 and £325 for a child aged between five and 11.
Countries currently on the UK’s red list include South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini Angola, Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia.