The UK Home Office has updated its guidance and requirements for travel to England from another country. Current travel guidance varies based on vaccination and travel history.
Guidance for Vaccinated Travelers
Before arrival, travelers must:
- take a COVID-19 test in the 2 days before they travel to England
- book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test to be taken on arrival
- complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours before they arrive in England
Upon arrival, travelers must:
- take the COVID-19 PCR test booked before travel within 2 days of arriving
- quarantine at home home or other accommodation while waiting for the test results.
- If the test is negative, travelers can end their quarantine.
- If the test is positive, travelers will have to self-isolate for 10 dull days. Travelers can end their quarantine earlier with two negative lateral flow tests on days 6 and 7.
Guidance for Unvaccinated Travelers
Before arrival, travelers must:
- take a COVID-19 test in the 2 days before they travel to England
- book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 PCR tests – to be taken after arrival in England
- complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours before they arrive in England
Upon arrival, travelers must:
- quarantine at home or in the place they are staying for 10 full days
- take the COVID-19 PCR tests booked before travel on days 2 and 8. Travelers can end their quarantine when they get their day 8 results or after day 10, whichever is later.
- quarantine at home home or other accommodation while waiting for the test results.
- If the day 2 test is negative, travelers must take the day 8 test.
- If the day 2 test is positive, travelers must self-isolate for 10 full days.
There are different rules for travelers who have been in a red list country or territory in the 10 days before they arrive in England. Red list rules apply whether a traveler is are fully vaccinated or not.
Exceptions
The fully vaccinated rules apply if travelers are:
- under 18 – see Travelling with children in this guidance
- taking part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK or the USA
- unable to have a COVID-19 vaccination for an approved medical reason
Guidance for Children:
- Children aged 4 and under do not have to take any COVID-19 travel tests. On arrival in England, they must quarantine until their responsible adult receives their day 2 test result back.
- Children aged 12 to 17 must take a COVID-19 test in the 2 days before traveling to England.
- Children aged 5 to 17 have to follow the testing and quarantine rules for people who qualify as fully vaccinated on arrival in England.