UK Travel Update: Cheaper Travel Test

England is set to change its COVID-19 testing requirements for inbound travellers.

A COVID test required to enter the UK has been a contentious issue throughout the course of the pandemic, with critics labeling it as too expensive and too frequent making it a barrier to travel.

New rules allowing fully vaccinated travellers returning to England to take lateral-flow coronavirus tests instead of more expensive PCR tests will come into force on 24 October.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport announced the news via Twitter:

Mandatory PCR tests will be gone in time for October half-term! 👍🏻 for vaccinated adults and families seeking some winter sun abroad ❄️☀️
From 24 Oct take a cheaper lateral flow test on return, to make travelling easier and simpler for everyone

How the New Rule Works

The government confirmed the date for the switch, which will see the publication of an approved list of private providers with which a lateral flow test must be booked and submitted on or before day two of their arrival in England from non-red list countries.

The use of lateral flow tests is acceptable for fully vaccinated adults and most under-18s.

A statement from the government said passengers must upload a photo of their test along with the booking reference supplied to verify results as soon as possible, with free follow-up PCR tests available for any positive cases. NHS Test and Trace tests cannot be used for international travel, it added.

Passengers arriving in England after 24 October that have already bought PCR tests do not need to purchase a new test.

Passengers arriving from non-red list destinations that are not fully vaccinated with an authorised vaccine must still take a pre-departure test, day two PCR test, and day 8 test and complete ten days of self-isolation.

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