Just as a reminder for travellers, at 4am today, the UK suspended all the travel corridors and a requirement to have a negative COVID-19 test before arriving into the UK came into effect.
Welcome to the United Kingdom. Ensure you’ve completed your tests and prepare to self-isolate for up to 10 days – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
Going over the points again (if you’ve been out of touch):
Negative Pre-Departure Test required
To enter the United Kingdom, you will need to complete a negative COVID-19 test. The test must:
- meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml
- this could include tests such as:
- a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
- an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device
This must be conducted up to 3 Days/72 hours before you are due to depart to the UK. Failure to have a valid test can lead to denied boarding, or if you manage to land in the UK without one, a fine of £500.
I’ve covered the details in this post and at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england
Travel Corridors Suspended – Self-Isolation/Quarantine Required.
Last Friday evening, the remaining 65 travel corridors that were active were all suspended. This went into effect today. The upshot is that if you enter the United Kingdom, you will need to self-isolate for 10 days.
This can be shortened to just over five days if you choose to opt into the Test to Release scheme Note that you will need to take a private COVID-19 test for this and cannot use NHS Test and Trace services.
Rules and Exemptions for self-isolation on arrival can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home?#international-travel, whilst Test to Release information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel.
According to the BBC, this will be through to at least the 15th of February.
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