Everything you need to know about new travel rules as UK scraps testing for millions
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Boris Johnson’s Government are set to relax testing requirements for some passengers entering the UK from next week. With many Britons now looking ahead to summer holidays, keeping up with ever-changing travel rules may feel mind-boggling, but it is vital to remain in the know.
From February 11, vaccinated travellers will no longer have to test for Covid on their return to Britain, but some testing requirements will remain in place for those who have not yet had a full course of vaccination.
At the time of writing, an estimated 48.8 million people have been double-jabbed across the UK.
But although these new rules apply to Britons returning to England, the same is not necessarily true for outward departures.
To help make sense of the latest changes, Express.co.uk spoke with Nicky Kelvin, head of The Points Guy UK.
What are the latest travel rules for vaccinated people arriving in the UK?
According to Gov.uk, as of February 11, people who have received a full course of vaccination “will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive”, and will not be subject to quarantine on arrival.
Mr Kelvin explained: “From 4am on February 11, all testing requirements will be removed for double-jabbed travellers arriving in the UK, with only a simplified passenger locator form needed, meaning that costs and complexity for international travellers have finally been reduced.”
But, Mr Kelvin warns that people should not forget about the important paperwork that is required from all travellers – regardless of vaccination status.
He said: “Everyone travelling to the UK must complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours before arrival, regardless of vaccine status.
“These changes mean that the UK has one of the most free-flowing borders across Europe, provided you’re vaccinated.”
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What are the latest travel rules for unvaccinated people arriving in the UK?
Unfortunately, rules are not quite as relaxed for those who have not yet received a full course of vaccination.
People who have only had one of a two-course vaccine or have not yet received a COVID-19 jab will still be subject to some testing requirements.
Mr Kelvin said: “Despite the good news for those vaccinated, some rules for unvaccinated travellers will remain in place, however, the shift is significant.
“If you are not recognised as fully vaccinated, you will no longer need to complete a 10-day quarantine, however, you will need proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, taken within two days before you travel to the UK.
“You’ll also need to book and pay for a day two COVID-19 PCR test before you travel.”
Holidaymakers should be sure to book their day two test ahead of time, as they will be presented with a booking reference which is vital in facilitating travel.
Mr Kelvin explained: “This booking reference number will be used to fill out the passenger locator form, which all travellers still need to complete.”
What are the travel and testing rules for children arriving in the UK?
The changes to testing rules are likely to be welcome news for families, with major changes coming into force just in time for the half-term break.
Whether or not a child needs to be vaccinated, or is subject to testing, depends on their age.
Mr Kelvin said: “Children aged four and under do not have to take any tests for return to the UK at all.
“Children between the ages of five and 17 follow the rules above for people who qualify as fully vaccinated.
“Children under 12 are still currently exempt from the vaccine rules in the UK.”
These rules, however, only apply to people entering the UK.
Mr Kelvin added: “Some European destinations, like Spain, still have strict vaccination rules in place for travel, meaning those aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated to visit from the UK.
“My advice is to thoroughly check the rules for the country you’re travelling to beforehand to avoid problems at the airport.
What are the travel rules for travelling overseas?
Mr Kelvin warns that although it might be easy to assume travel rules have been simplified for everyone, this is not at all the case.
He said: “It could be easy to mistake the changes on February 11 to mean all rules are dropped for everyone.
“It is also key to understand that these changes only apply to entry to the UK.
“Wherever you are travelling to will have its own set of rules.”
With every destination setting out its own requirements and restrictions, Mr Kelvin says there are some key questions you should find out the answers to before travelling.
These include:
- Can you enter that country / is the border open?
- What are the entry requirements relating to vaccines?
- What are the entry requirements relating to people who have recently recovered from COVID-19?
- What are the required tests?
- Is there a mandatory quarantine?
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