The current traffic light system has been replaced by a single red list of countries and territories which will continue to be crucial in order to protect public health. Testing requirements has been reduced for eligible fully vaccinated travellers, who will no longer need to take a PDT when travelling to England.
Eligible fully vaccinated passengers and those with an approved vaccine from a select group of non-red countries will be able to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.
Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no additional cost to the traveller, which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.
Testing for unvaccinated passengers from non-red countries will include pre-departure tests, day 2 and day 8 PCR tests. Test to release remains an option to reduce self-isolation period.
England will welcome fully vaccinated travellers from a host of new countries – who will be treated like returning fully vaccinated UK travellers.
Passengers who aren’t recognised as being fully vaccinated with authorised vaccines and certificates under England’s international travel rules, will still have to take a pre-departure test, a day 2 and day 8 PCR test and self-isolate for 10 days upon their return from a non-red list country under the new two-tiered travel programme. Test to Release will remain an option for unvaccinated passengers who wish to shorten their isolation period.
All passengers will still need to fill in a passenger locator form ahead of travel. Passengers should continue to check GOV.UK travel guidance including FCDO travel advice before, during and after travel to keep up to date in entry requirements and ensure compliance with the latest COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 regulations for the country being visited.
Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated
Fully vaccinated means that you have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England. The day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days.
The vaccine must be administered under either:
- the UK vaccination programme
- an overseas vaccination programme with an approved proof of vaccination for travel to the UK
Even if you are not fully vaccinated, the fully vaccinated rules apply if you:
- Are under 18 and resident in the UK or one of the countries or territories with approved proof of vaccination
- Are taking part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK or the USA (US residents only for USA trials)
- Cannot have a COVID-19 vaccination for a medical reason which has been approved by a clinician under the new medical exemptions process, and you are resident in England
Travelling to England from a red list listed country
Before you travel to England (not fully vaccinated) you must:
- Take a COVID-19 test – you must take the test in the 3 days before you travel to England
- Book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in England
- Complete a passenger locator form – to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England
On arrival in England (not fully vaccinated) you must:
- Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
- Take your pre-booked COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 – you must book these tests before you travel
If you are in England for less than 10 days, you need to quarantine for the time you are here. You need to book day 2 and day 8 travel tests. You only need to take the tests if you are still in England on those days.
Travelling to England from a red listed listed country
Before you travel to England (fully vaccinated) you must:
- Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England
- Complete a passenger locator form – to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England
You will need to enter your COVID-19 test booking reference number on your passenger locator form.
On arrival in England (fully vaccainated) you must:
- You must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2
- You must book this test before you travel
If you will be in England for less than 2 days you still need to book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test. You only need to take the test if you are still in England on day 2.
Proof of vaccination for travel
“The surgery is unable to issue a letter or certificate confirming your vaccination status for overseas travel. Please see Government guidance for further information. Proof of your vaccination status is visible within the NHS app, which is available for Apple and Android devices.
Alternatively, you can call the NHS Covid-19 helpline on 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least five days after you have completed your course of the vaccine, the letter may to take up to seven days to reach you.
Please check Foreign Office and local travel advice for specific details of whether proof of vaccination status is accepted at your destination. The majority of countries, including the UK, still require arrivals to participate in a Covid-19 testing, isolation and/or quarantine regime, regardless of their vaccination status.”
Resources
All links come from trusted sources, however, if you are unsure about them or any other medical concerns, contact your doctor or pharmacist for further advice