COVID-19: UK Travel Restrictions Soon Be Dramatically Easedcovid-19:

UK Travel Restrictions Soon Be Dramatically Eased

Traveling abroad during the pandemic was a bit of a nightmare – with so many rules depending on where you’re traveling to or from, it’s not surprising many travelers found the process confusing. 

Thankfully, the UK has recently considerably eased the restrictions for coming into the country from abroad. So, if you’re wondering if you still need to go through the complicated covid testing processes or if you can just relax and enjoy your stay, read on for the current guidelines regarding international travel to the UK. 

 Can I Go to the UK Now?

Almost everyone is allowed to enter the UK at the moment, and the only exception is if you are traveling from one of the seven current red list countries.

At the time of writing, these are Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. 

However, UK residents returning home from these countries will be allowed entry. But, there are some quite strict entry requirements for those who have been in the red list countries, which we’ll cover in more detail later. 

How are the Rules Different in England Compared to the Rest of the UK?

Most of the rules for travel to England are more lenient than they are for the other parts of the UK. We’ll take you through most of the main restrictions below. However, you should check the current rules for the country you are traveling to so you know what to expect. 

Do I Need to Take a Coronavirus Test Before Traveling to the UK?

If you’re traveling to England, you don’t need to show proof of a negative test before departing. You do, however, have to book and pay for a test on or before the second day after arriving. You should book the test before you travel. Those staying in the country for less than two days will still have to be tested. 

The rules vary for travel to other parts of the UK. Those traveling to Scotland will have to take a test up to three days before their arrival if they are not fully vaccinated or are traveling from one of the countries on Scotland’s red list. When traveling to Scotland, all passengers should take a test within two days of their arrival.

Current Travel Rules for Fully Vaccinated Passengers

First things first, you will need to check whether you qualify for fully vaccinated status for travel purposes to the UK. It’s important to note that most of these requirements are specific to England – for other parts of the UK, you’ll need to check current guidelines.

You’ll need to provide proof of your vaccination status before you are granted entry to the UK, and the way to do this depends on the country in which you were vaccinated. There are appropriate government apps where you can find your digital vaccination certificate if you were immunized within one of the countries of the UK. 

To qualify as fully vaccinated, you will need to have completed an entire course of an approved COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before arriving in the UK. However, you can also consider yourself fully vaccinated for the purposes of travel if any of the following apply:

• you are under 18 years old 

• you are medically exempt from being vaccinated and have adequate proof of this 

• you are signed up for a COVID-19 vaccination trial in either the USA or the UK. 

If you qualify as fully vaccinated, you have to do a few simple things before you arrive in England. First, you’ll have to complete a passenger locator form and book and pay for a COVID-19 test, which you’ll need to take by the end of your second day in England. 

Current Restrictions for Non-Fully Vaccinated Passengers

If you are not fully vaccinated for the purposes of travel, there are a few other things you’ll need to do. As well as filling in the passenger locator form and taking a test on your second day, you will also have to take another test on day eight and quarantine at home or in your hotel for ten days. 

If your stay is shorter than ten days, you only have to self-isolate for the duration of your stay. You also won’t have to take the tests if you are not in England on the appropriate days. 

Do the Travel Restrictions Apply to Children?

Generally, the rules for children are more relaxed than they are for adults, but it depends on their age and where you are traveling from. Whether they are vaccinated or not, children of all ages do not have to enter quarantine upon arrival in England. 

Children under the age of 4 don’t have to take any travel-related tests, either. In addition, those aged between 5-17 years old don’t have to take a test before traveling to England, but they do have to take a test on or before day two after arriving. 

Check the current guidelines for children traveling to the rest of the UK – it varies between countries, and the restrictions change frequently. 

Will I Have to Enter Quarantine When I Arrive in the UK?

Most people won’t have to quarantine upon arrival in the UK. However, there are a few groups to whom this rule still applies. 

Those returning to the UK who are not fully vaccinated should self-isolate at home for a period of 10 days. This means you shouldn’t leave home for any reason, except in an emergency. Don’t go to work or school, and have others bring any supplies you need during the ten days. 

One group will also have to pay for ‘managed quarantine’ – staying in a government-approved hotel for ten days upon arrival in the UK. This is passengers arriving home from one of the red list countries, but remember, only UK nationals are allowed to return from these destinations. So you might want to try and avoid these destinations until this restriction is lifted – a room for one adult costs a rather expensive £2,285 (around $3,140). 

Do I Have to Wear a Face Mask When Traveling?

You’ll still have to wear a face-covering in most airports and airplanes unless you have an exemption. Check with the particular airport and airline before your departure for the most up-to-date guidelines and acceptable exemptions. 

When you’re traveling around the UK on public transport, the rules are more lenient. In England, it’s no longer a requirement to wear a face mask on public transport. However, you must wear a face-covering when traveling by public transport in the rest of the UK – Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.