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Testing Times – Traveling To The UK And COVID Testing Guidelines

@SpectacularMag

When it comes to international travel, it seems that the rules are changing on an almost daily basis – and a lot of people have already been caught out.  In this article, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about traveling to the UK and COVID testing as of June 8, 2021.

Quarantine rules for the UK 

UKThe United Kingdom is currently operating on a traffic light system that works as follows:  

Green List – Passengers are permitted to enter the UK without having to quarantine on arrival.  

Amber List – Passengers traveling from Amber List countries are required to quarantine either in their own home or the destination for their stay, for 10 days.

Red List – Authorized passengers arriving in the UK from Red List countries are required to quarantine in an approved, managed hotel for 10 days at their own expense.  Note – Only British, Irish nationals, or people with residency rights in the UK are permitted to travel to the UK from a Red List country – this includes those who have traveled through a Red List country en route to a different country. 

UK Testing Regulations

Individuals traveling to the United Kingdom from any other country are subject to COVID-19 testing, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. The following are the rules for COVID testing for each of the traffic light lists:  

Green List

Passengers traveling from Green List countries must be able to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival in the UK. This test must be completed within the three days before you arrive in the UK – for example, if your flight arrives in the UK on a Friday, you will need to take a test between Tuesday and Friday and, you will only be permitted to travel after showing a negative test result either on your phone or on a printed document.

Amber List 

People traveling to the UK from Amber List countries must be able to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive in the UK. This test must be completed within the three days before arrival (i.e. when your flight or other modes of transport arrives in the United Kingdom).  Amber List travelers are also required to book and pay for two additional COVID-19 tests to be taken on or before day 2 and day 8 of their quarantine period. In addition to testing, Amber List passengers will need to complete a passenger locator form detailing their quarantine address and reference numbers for their booked tests for the quarantine period.

Red List

Authorized passengers traveling to the UK from Red List countries must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival in the UK – This test must be completed within the three days before arrival. Red List passengers are also required to book a quarantine hotel package as well as booking and paying for two COVID-19 tests to be taken on or before day 2 and day 8 of the quarantine period.

It is the passenger’s responsibility to book and complete COVID-19 tests and so travelers should plan ahead to make sure that they will be able to do so. Passengers who fail to show proof of a negative test result may not be permitted to travel and, anybody who arrives in the UK without proof of a negative test result is subject to a £500 (~ $690.44) fine.

What kind of test do I need?

It’s extremely important that you ensure that the test that you take meets pre-departure standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.

These include:

  • Nucleic acid testing, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
  • An antigen test, such as lateral flow device testing

Your negative test must include the following information:  

  • Your name – which must match that on your travel documents
  • Your date of birth
  • The result of the test
  • The date of the test
  • The name and contact details of the test provider
  • Confirmation of the test device used
Are there exemptions for UK COVID-19 testing?

Although it’s good practice for everybody to take a COVID-19 test before traveling, there are a few exemptions whereby this is not a legal requirement and, these are:  

Exempt destinations  

UKPassengers traveling from the following countries do not have to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test when traveling to the United Kingdom:  

  • Ireland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • The Isle of Man
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • Falkland Islands
  • St Helena
  • Ascension
  • Myanmar
Exempt age groups 

Children under the age of 11 are not required to show a negative test before arrival in the UK.

Medical exemptions

Passengers may be exempt from showing evidence of COVID-19 testing on the following grounds:  

  • Traveling to the UK for urgent medical treatment – or accompanying such a passenger – where it is not possible or practical to take a test beforehand.
  • Passengers who have an existing medical condition that prevents them from taking a test – in this instance, a note from a doctor or medical practitioner must be presented to Border Control staff on arrival in the UK.  
Professional exemptions

You may be exempt from showing a negative test on arrival in the UK if you can prove that you fall within one of the following professions:  

  • Border and customs officials
  • Haulers
  • Channel tunnel system workers
  • Civil aviation inspectors
  • Air, maritime, and rail professionals
  • Medical transportation professionals
  • Defense personnel
  • Government officials

We’re all keen to be able to travel again, whether for personal or professional reasons and, remaining vigilant on testing is key to ensuring that we can do so safely and securely to protect ourselves and others.