Well, it seems that proposed entry changes to England have gone live – and if you’re at least double-vaccinated, it will make life a lot easier when entering England.
Welcome to the United Kingdom.
If you arrived in England after 4 am, on 11th February, the following rules will apply.
Fully vaccinated – from 11 February
If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you:
- will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive
- will not need to quarantine when you arrive
You will need to complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England.
It’s more than a good idea if your vaccination status is considered acceptable by the entry agents, as well as what dosages and number of shots are required.
The UK Government has got a guide at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-with-approved-covid-19-vaccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination.
This also covers entry for those people aged 17 and under.
Not fully vaccinated – from 11 February
If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you will need to:
- show proof of a negative COVID-19 test – test to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England
- book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test – to be taken after you arrive in England
- complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England
You will need to book the PCR test before you travel.
You will not need to quarantine unless the result of the PCR test is positive.
Transiting through England
For those remaining airside:
- If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you do not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England. Fully vaccinated rules also apply to people aged 17 and under, whether they are vaccinated or not.
- If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England.
- You do not need to complete a passenger locator form before travelling to England.
- When you are in England you do not need to quarantine or take any COVID-19 travel tests.
For those who have to clear immigration for a Landside transit, but making a connection out of the country within 24 hours.
- If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you do not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England. Fully vaccinated rules also apply to people aged 17 and under, whether they are vaccinated or not.
- If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you need to take a COVID-19 test before travelling to England
- This includes if you are transiting onto the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. You may need to show evidence of onward travel and where you will be staying at the border.
- You must complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England with these specific changes:
- select ‘Stay in the UK’ under the Your travel plans section
- reply ‘I will be travelling for an exempt reason’ to the question about whether you are required to self-isolate on arrival
- select the Exemption options, and then select ‘Transit Exemption’
- When you are in England you do not need to quarantine or take any COVID-19 travel tests.
- There is full guidance to check if you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, as well as guidance if you are transiting through England as part of an international journey.
Guidance for other regions
There is separate guidance for arrivals heading to
In general, the changes are reflected across the regions, however, you should check before you travel to see if there is are any major differences you will need to abide by.
What about other regions of the world?
Other regions of the world will have their own entry criteria you will need to meet. You should check as usual before you travel about the requirements. Such tools include:
Again – it is vital to check before you travel to ensure you are not denied boarding or denied entry to your destination.
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