As part of a broader easing of COVID-19 rules, Britain is reportedly considering abolishing the requirement to have a second day test for all vaccinated arrivals by the end of January.
The government plans to lift all restrictions on COVID-19 in England in the coming months, and it is likely that the requirement for vaccinated visitors to take tests when leaving the country will be one of the first rules to be repealed.
A report from The Times says Transport Minister Grant Schapps wants to lift the requirement for a half-year holiday in February, the peak time for family vacations when schools close for a week. The announcement is expected to be made on January 26.
“We are considering canceling all COVID tests for vaccinated travelers by the end of January,” a government source told the newspaper. The changes may also lead to the repeal of some rules introduced in December to combat the Omicron outbreak, including wearing masks.
According to the BBC, Scotland has agreed to lift most domestic restrictions from January 24 after a “significant reduction” in the number of cases of COVID-19. This means that the rules of social distance will be abolished, nightclubs will reopen, and major events may resume.
What are the current rules for traveling to the UK?
Similar travel rules apply in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).
As part of the joint effort to streamline COVID-19 testing from 7 January, fully vaccinated travelers and those under the age of 12 no longer need a preliminary COVID-19 test to enter the UK.
However, fully vaccinated travelers must undergo a rapid lateral flow test (antigen) on the second day of arrival or earlier. This test on the second day must be ordered before the passengers leave for the UK, and they must indicate the test order number in the form of a passenger locator. Only tests ordered through a government-approved service provider are accepted. Passengers must pay the cost of the side-flow test themselves.
The test can be taken at any time upon arrival, but by the end of the second day. Arrival day is marked as zero day. If the results of the lateral flow analysis are positive, the traveler must pass the PCR analysis free of charge. If it is positive, the tourist must continue self-isolation for five days. If the test result is negative, then self-isolation can be stopped.
Unvaccinated travelers can also visit the UK, but are subject to additional testing and quarantine requirements, depending on which country they come from – “green” (low risk) or “red” (high risk). ). There is currently no country on the red list.
Unvaccinated travelers to the UK from the countries on the “green” list must pass the analysis before departure, as well as order and pay for the analysis on the second day before arrival in the UK. The analysis of the second day should be a PCR test, the results of lateral flow are not accepted. People who come to the UK have not been vaccinated and must also be quarantined at home or at their place of residence for 10 days.
In England, travelers can complete a quarantine period under the Test to Release scheme. This does not apply to those arriving in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mask mandates continue in the UK, NHS COVID required in some places
After lifting all internal restrictions on COVID-19 in July, the UK returned a mandatory mask requirement in December. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson said that the country will continue to comply with these requirements of Plan B and will reconsider them on January 26.
However, Scotland has already advanced these plans, agreeing today to lift most of the restrictions on COVID-19 from 24 January, including the rules of social distancing. The country is also reopening nightclubs and resuming major events, but people are encouraged to take side-flow tests before the meeting, and the mask requirement will remain.
In the rest of the UK, meanwhile, mask requirements are mandatory in shops and public transport; however, catering establishments such as restaurants and bars are exempt from this requirement.
In addition, an NHS COVID pass is required to enter the following places:
- Night clubs
- Closed events without seats, accommodating more than 500 people
- Outdoor activities without seating, attended by more than 4,000 people
- Any seats that accommodate more than 10,000 people.
If you are planning a trip to the UK, remember that you also need to prove that you have been fully vaccinated in accordance with the UK vaccination program. Tourists should continue to follow official precautions and take into account differences in the requirements and attitudes of locals in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.