The UK has released new guidelines for international passengers. Depending upon the vaccination status of the traveller, the authorities have imposed different rules. Check details here.
The United Kingdom has updated the travel guidelines for international passengers. According to the new rules issued by the authorities, the restrictions depend on the vaccination status of the traveller. Moreover, there are different rules for passengers who have been to a “red list” country or territory.
FOR FULLY VACCINATED TRAVELLERS
Before travelling to England, the passenger must take a Covid-19 test. The test has to be taken 48 hours before travelling to the country. The passenger also must book an RT-PCR test, be taken upon arrival in England. Apart from this, the passenger will also have to complete a passenger locator 48 hours before arrival in England.
The guidelines further add that if a traveller is in England for less than two days, they still need to book and pay for a day 2 Covid-19 test. Moreover, the passengers will have to quarantine until a negative RT-PCR test result or until they leave England, whichever is sooner.
If the RT-PCR test is positive, the traveller will have to self-isolate for 10 full days. However, the passenger can stop self-isolating after seven days if they do a rapid lateral flow test on days 6 and 7 of their self-isolation period and both tests are negative, both tests are at least 24 hours apart, and if they do not have a high temperature.
FOR TRAVELLERS WHO ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED
Before travelling to England, the passenger must take a Covid-19 test. The test has to be taken in the two days before travelling to England. The passenger also must book RT-PCR for Day 2 and Day 8 after arrival in England. Apart from this, the passenger will also have to complete a passenger locator form 48 hours before arrival in England.
Upon arrival in England, the passenger will have to quarantine for 10 days.
If the traveller is in England for less than 10 days, they need to quarantine for the time that they are there in the country.
If the RT-PCR test result is positive on Day 2, the passenger must self-isolate for 10 full days. In such a situation, the passenger will not have to take the day 8 test.
If the RT-PCR test result is positive on Day 8, the passenger must self-isolate for 10 full days.
FOR TRAVELLERS WHO HAVE BEEN TO RED LIST COUNTRY
Before travelling to England, the passenger must take a Covid-19 test, 2 days before departure. The passenger must also book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 Covid-19 tests, and complete a passenger locator form.
The same rules apply to fully vaccinated individuals.
Upon arrival in England, the passenger must quarantine in a managed hotel, and take two Covid-19 tests
Children aged 12 to 17 must take a Covid-19 test in the two days before travelling to England. On arrival in England, children aged 5 to 17 must quarantine in a managed hotel for 10 full days and take two Covid-19 tests.
Children aged 4 or under do not have to take any travel tests but must enter managed quarantine.
If the passenger is making a transit stop in a red list country on their way to England, they may need to follow the red list rules upon arrival.
At present, no countries or territories are on the red list.
CHILDREN, OTHER GROUPS THAT CAN FOLLOW RULES FOR FULLY VACCINATED
The fully vaccinated rules apply to those who are under 18, taking part in an approved Covid-19 vaccine trial in the UK or the USA (US residents only for USA trials), or a phase 2 or 3 vaccine trial that is regulated by the EMA or SRA, or unable to have a Covid-19 vaccination for a medical reason which has been approved by a clinician under the medical exemptions process and are resident in England.
CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY AS FULLY VACCINATED
To qualify under the fully vaccinated rules for travel to England, the passenger must have proof of full vaccination with a full course of an approved vaccine. They must have had their final jab at least 14 days before their arrival in England.
Moreover, the proof of vaccination must have been issued by either the UK vaccination programme, the United Nations vaccine programme for staff and volunteers, or an overseas vaccination programme with an approved proof of vaccination for travel to the UK.
