Everything you need to know as Covid travel rules change
The Government said it wants to end restrictions on travel, lockdowns and limits on people’s lives
File photo of a passenger with a suitcase. Picture: PA.
By Neil Lancefield, PA Transport Correspondent
Coronavirus rules for people arriving in the UK are being significantly relaxed.
From 4am on February 11, and in time for the half-term break, eligible fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK will no longer have to take a post-arrival, lateral flow test.
That means that after months of pre-departure testing, post-arrival testing, self-isolation and additional expense, all that fully vaccinated people will now have to do to when they travel to the UK is verify their status via a passenger locator form.
Here the PA news agency answers seven key questions about what is happening:
When do the changes come into effect?
On Friday at 4am.
– What are the new rules for fully vaccinated travellers?
They do not have to take any coronavirus tests.
– What was the previous situation?
They were required to buy a post-arrival lateral flow test, costing around £20 each.
– What about if I am unvaccinated
You do not need to self-isolate after you arrive.
But you must take a pre-departure lateral flow test, and a post-arrival PCR test.
– How is that different to before?
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated were previously required to self-isolate on arrival and take two post-arrival PCR tests.
– What about the passenger locator form?
All arrivals must continue to fill this in.
The UK Government has pledged to simplify the form following complaints it is too complicated.
– How about other countries?
Many popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey do not require fully vaccinated UK holidaymakers to take a test before they arrive.
France requires arrivals to have evidence of a negative test taken within 48 hours of departure, although there is speculation that will be dropped shortly.
