Policy Change in the UK Vis-à-Vis Covid-19 Testing for Double Vaccinated Travellers

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People arriving in England from abroad will no longer have to take Covid tests if they have been fully vaccinated, the Prime Minister has confirmed.

Details on the Announcement

Boris Johnson said the further relaxation of the travel rules was designed to show that the country was open to travellers and business. He did not confirm when the rules would go but the Transport Secretary is set to make a statement soon.

Vaccinated travellers currently need to do a test within two days of arriving. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have previously followed England’s lead, but any changes are for them to decide. Mr. Johnson said although people had to be “cautious”, “you can see the figures are starting to get better”.

“What we’re doing on travel, to show that this country is open for business, open for travellers, you will see changes so that people arriving no longer have to take tests if they have been vaccinated, if they have been double vaccinated,” he added.

Changes in Rules

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to make a statement in the House of Commons outlining the rule changes. The move will be welcomed by the travel and tourism industry, one of the sectors most badly affected by coronavirus lockdown measures. Research published last week by trade body Airlines UK and Manchester Airports Group said there was scientific evidence for making testing rules a “thing of the past” for fully-vaccinated travellers.

Commenting on the changes, Airlines UK’s chief executive Tim Alderslade said: “This is a landmark day for passengers, businesses and UK plc.” He added: “With the all-important half-term week approaching, passengers should now get booking.” Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet said the airline would “now look ahead to what we believe will be a strong summer”.

Currently, fully vaccinated passengers, who have had two doses, and under-18s no longer need a pre-departure test two days before travelling to the UK. However, within 48 hours of arrival, everyone aged five and over – or 11 and over in Scotland – must take a lateral flow test (LFT), or a more expensive PCR test. If they take an LFT and it is positive, they must self-isolate and take an NHS PCR test to confirm the result. Vaccinated travellers also have to fill in and submit an online passenger locator form no more than 48 hours before arriving, even if they are just passing through the UK.