If you’re planning to travel to the UK, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic, says an article published on CNN website.
The basics
The United Kingdom has seen one of the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 in the world, resulting in multiple lockdowns.
In England, Scotland and Wales, most legal coronavirus restrictions have now been lifted, but there are still restrictions in place across the UK regarding international travel — see more below.
Across the UK, there are fears about the impact of the Delta Covid variant.
International travel to and from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland currently takes place under a risk-based “traffic light” system, dividing countries into “red”, “amber” or “green” categories.
Who can go
All travelers entering the UK, including British citizens, must present a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
UK residents traveling from destinations on the “red list,” which includes South Africa and Argentina, can enter the country but must quarantine on arrival in a hotel and follow testing requirements.
If you’ve arrived from a red list country and your final destination is in Wales or Northern Ireland, you will need to book a hotel in England or Scotland.
(The Republic of Ireland has entirely separate entrance regulations, which are enforced when crossing the land border.)
What are the restrictions?
All UK arrivals must provide a negative test taken within the past 72 hours, and complete a Passenger Locator Form before arriving in the UK.
British residents arriving home from red list destinations must undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine at their own expense.
Before arriving in the UK, these travelers must purchase what the UK government calls a “quarantine package,” covering the stay in hotel quarantine and food and drink while there.
Bookings must be made through this online portal. The charge for a single adult occupying one room for 10 days is now £2,285. Anyone dodging quarantine risks fines of up to £10,000.
UK residents who’ve been fully vaccinated via the UK vaccine program who are returning to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland from an amber country no longer need to quarantine. These amber travelers must still do a pre-departure test and a PCR test on day two, but they no longer have to do a day eight test.
UK residents arriving back in the UK who aren’t fully vaccinated must continue to follow the original amber rules: take a pre-departure test, quarantine for 10 days and take a PCR test on day two and day eight of quarantine. These travelers who are arriving back in England can end their quarantine early via the Test to Release scheme.
Since August 2, travelers who are fully vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the EMA and FDA in Europe and the USA, or via the Swiss vaccination program, can travel to England from amber countries without having to quarantine on arrival. They also don’t need to take the day eight test.
The guidance which previously suggested people shouldn’t travel to amber countries has also changed in England.
Travelers arriving or departing from a green destination have to take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival back in the UK. They do not need to quarantine.
The UK government regularly reviews the green list and there’s also a green watchlist which some countries are put on if they’re at risk of moving from green to amber.
What’s the Covid situation?
The UK suffered a devastating first wave in 2020, followed by a troubling winter 2020/2021 in the wake of the discovery of the Alpha (Kent) variant.
On June 1, zero Covid deaths were recorded across all four nations of the UK. Not long after, case rates were rising again amid increasing concerns about the impact of the Delta variant. They now appear to be falling again.
There have been more than 6.5 million Covid cases and 132,000 deaths in the UK as of August 24.
The UK was the world’s first country to begin a vaccination program, which has lessened the burden on the National Health Service (NHS).
All adults in the UK have now been offered a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Rapid lateral flow tests are available for free via pharmacies and online, and UK citizens are encouraged to test themselves twice a week.
As of August 24, over 90 million vaccination doses have been administered in the UK and over 62% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
What can visitors expect?
England has emerged from lockdown and most legal Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted. As of July 19, there are no longer limits on how many people can meet inside or outside at private households or in hospitality venues.
But the UK government still advises people to “limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually” and “meet outdoors where possible.”
All English shops, museums, theme parks, bars, pubs, hotels, B&Bs, cinemas, theaters and nightclubs can reopen.
Social distancing and face masks are no longer required by law.
The government has also said the one-meter rule will remain at the border in order to manage the risk of variants.
The government is encouraging venues with large numbers — like concert venues or nightclubs — to use the NHS Covid Pass mentioned above as a means of entry.
From the end of September, the government plans to make proof of full vaccination compulsory for entry to nightclubs or other large venues.
While the legal requirements on face masks have been lifted, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that
All adults in the UK have now been offered a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Rapid lateral flow tests are available for free via pharmacies and online, and UK citizens are encouraged to test themselves twice a week.
As of August 24, over 90 million vaccination doses have been administered in the UK and over 62% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
What can visitors expect?
England has emerged from lockdown and most legal Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted. As of July 19, there are no longer limits on how many people can meet inside or outside at private households or in hospitality venues.
But the UK government still advises people to “limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually” and “meet outdoors where possible.”
All English shops, museums, theme parks, bars, pubs, hotels, B&Bs, cinemas, theaters and nightclubs can reopen.
Social distancing and face masks are no longer required by law.
The government has also said the one-meter rule will remain at the border in order to manage the risk of variants.
The government is encouraging venues with large numbers — like concert venues or nightclubs — to use the NHS Covid Pass mentioned above as a means of entry.
From the end of September, the government plans to make proof of full vaccination compulsory for entry to nightclubs or other large venues.
While the legal requirements on face masks have been lifted, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “we expect and recommend that people wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with those you don’t normally meet, such as on public transport.”
People in England who are identified as close contacts of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 must self-isolate for 10 days — unless they’ve been fully vaccinated.
Adults who’ve had both jobs and children under 18 — as well as people who’ve taken part in an approved Covid-19 vaccine trial and those who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons — who are identified as close contacts don’t have to self-isolate, as long as they test negative for Covid-19 via a PCR test.
This close contact identification often takes place via the NHS Covid-19 app, which allows users to check in to restaurants, bars and other venues for track and trace purposes.
Using the app is not compulsory but is recommended by the UK government.
Summary
- The United Kingdom has seen one of the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 in the world, resulting in multiple lockdowns.
- All travelers entering the UK, including British citizens, must present a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
- All UK arrivals must provide a negative test taken within the past 72 hours, and complete a Passenger Locator Form before arriving in the UK.
- England has emerged from lockdown and most legal Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted.
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Source: CNN
