UK Dropping Testing Rules for Inbound Travellers

Charlie Immigration updates 25 January 2022 | | 0

People travelling to England will no longer be required to take a COVID test on arrival, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed.

The British government will scrap coronavirus testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from next month, a decision the travel industry has hailed as a major step towards normality.

The day 2 tests are set to be scrapped from 11 February in the latest easing of travel restrictions.

It follows the end of pre-departure tests earlier this month and the relaxation of post-arrival tests from PCR to antigen ones.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the change would take effect from 11 February, coinciding with a mid-term holiday break for many school children. He attributed it to the success of the UK's vaccine and booster roll-out.

https://twitter.com/grantshapps/status/1485648182646394884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1485648182646394884%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Ftravel%2F2022%2F01%2F24%2Fwhen-will-post-arrival-day-2-tests-in-the-uk-be-scrapped

Those who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will no longer have to isolate or take a test on day 8. They will still have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before travelling and take a PCR test after arriving in Britain.

This is a proportionate system that moves us a step closer to normality while maintaining vital public health protections
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps

The change in testing requirements for travel will apply to vaccinated adults and all children under 18.

Currently, vaccinated travellers arriving in Britain are required to take a lateral flow test within 2 days of arriving.

UK Open For Travel

Tourism and travel firms that have been heavily impacted by pandemic restrictions have welcomed the decision, which makes the UK one of the most open countries in the world for international travel.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of airline industry body Airlines UK, said it was “a landmark day”.

Nearly two years since the initial COVID restrictions were introduced, today's announcement brings international travel towards near-normality for the fully vaccinated, and at last into line with hospitality and the domestic economy.
Tim Alderslade

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