England
Travel restrictions
Travellers are permitted to enter the UK as long as they are not travelling from a red-list country:
- For England, consult the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england
- For Scotland, consult the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/
- For Wales, consult the following link: https://gov.wales/arriving-wales-overseas
From December 7th 2021, travellers aged 12 years and over must take a?PCR?or LFD COVID-19 test before they travel to England from abroad. The number and type of tests will depend on your vaccination status.
From January 7th 2022, fully-vaccinated travelers will not be required to take a COVID-19 test before they travel to England from abroad. They will still be required to purchase a COVID-19 test to take after arriving in the UK. From January 9th 2022 fully vaccinated travellers can use a lateral flow test.
If you are not fully-vaccinated, you will need to take a COVID-19 test in the 2 days before you travel to England and book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 PCR tests to be taken after arrival in England.
From January 7th 2022, individuals arriving in the UK from abroad must abide by quarantine requirements depending on their vaccination status:
- If you are fully-vaccinated you must self-isolate until you receive a negative result from your pre-booked COVID-19 test. This test must be taken in the first two days of your arrival.
- If you are not-fully vaccinated, you must quarantine for a full 10 days at home or in the place you are staying and take your day 2 and day 8 PCR tests.
As the rules are regularly being updated, please see the UK government’s website for the latest information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#if-you-are-fully-vaccinated
Please select the country you are traveling to (England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) for guidance specific to that country.
Passenger locator forms are required in England even if you are arriving from a travel corridor country.
Persons transiting (or who have a layover in) the UK and not passing through UK border control, are exempt from self-isolation requirements. If transiting but passing through UK border control and entering the UK, you may travel directly between ports (such as Eurostar to Heathrow) without self-isolating.
You may end self-isolation to go to your departure point (airport, train or bus station), if you are leaving within the 10-day quarantine time. You should travel straight to the departure point and avoid public transportation.
All transiting persons will still be required to fill out the Public Health Passenger Locator Form.
Measures taken by the government
As of June 15th 2020, all travelers must wear face covering on public transport and on aircraft. Passengers using taxis and private hire vehicles should also use a face covering for the duration of their journey.
Since December 2nd 2020 the UK is using a tier system to determine local restrictions:
Tier 1: Medium alert
Tier 2: High alert
Tier 3: Very High alert
Tier 4: Stay at Home
From November 30th 2021, face masks are required in shops and on public transport.
Testing
If you are not a part of the National Healthcare System, you will need to seek a private clinic for testing. Testing may cost anywhere from £40 – £500 depending on where you are tested and the type of test you take. COVID-19 tests differ in the amount of time they take to get results (from 45 minutes to 48 hours).
For testing at Heathrow, please visit the Heathrow Airport COVID-19 testing site: https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test
DO NOT travel to Heathrow Airport if you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling unwell.
Some local laboratories are (this is not an exhaustive list of every facility performing COVID tests in the UK): Concepto Clinic, Corona Test Center, Harley Medic International, The London Clinic, The London General Practice, PExpo Diagnostics, Private Coronavirus Tests, The Private Harley Street Clinic & TDL Pathology.
In Scotland, private testing is available at a number of facilities: Edinburgh Airport, Newington Pharmacy, Glasgow Medical Rooms & Hawkes Health.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
In Wales call 111 (if available in your area) or 0845 46 47
Source:
US Embassy in the UK https://uk.usembassy.gov/covid-19-coronavirus-information/
Published on January 18th 2022 (checked on January 19th 2022)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx