Guidelines updated on 18th January 2022
Travel and Quarantine Rules for Passengers Travelling to the UK:
After the end of the International travel ban in England on the 17th of May 2021, a new set of travel restrictions has been introduced and the traffic light system is removed from 4th October 2021 onwards. According to the new guidelines, countries will be divided into 2 categories:
- Fully vaccinated Passengers – Those who are vaccinated under the UK, Europe, USA or India vaccination programme are currently recognized as fully vaccinated and will not have to isolate themselves. This includes Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen and Covishield. (Source)
- Not fully vaccinated countries – Those who are not vaccinated under the UK, Europe, USA or India vaccination programme.
Travel Updates:
*As on 11th February 2022, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a Covid-19 test either before or after arrival in the UK. Partially vaccinated travellers will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the UK. You will not need to quarantine unless the result of the PCR test is positive. (Source)
*As on 17th January 2022, You can stop self-isolating at the start of day 6 if you get 2 negative rapid lateral flow test results on days 5 and 6 and do not have a temperature. Tests must be at least 24 hours apart. If either test is positive, wait 24 hours before testing again. (Source)
*As on 9th January 2022, Fully Vaccinated passengers arriving in England can choose to take a Lateral Flow Test instead of a PCR test. You must pre-book the test before you travel to England. (Source)
- If you take a Lateral Flow Test and test positive, you will need to self-isolate and take a Free Confirmatory PCR test.
- The Fully Vaccinated rules apply to children aged 17 and under, people taking part in an approved vaccine trial, and people who are unable to have a vaccination due to medical reasons.
- If you arrive in England before 7th January 2022, you must follow the current rules for fully vaccinated people.
- The rules for people who do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England will remain the same.
* As on 7th December 2021, all passengers aged 12 years and above must present a PCR or LFD Covid-19 test before they travel to England from abroad. (Source)
* As on 30th November 2021, People who qualify as fully vaccinated must take a PCR test before the end of Day 2 and self-isolate until the test results return negative. Lateral flow tests will not be accepted. (Source)
* As on 25th November 2021, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe will move to the red list at 12.00 midday Friday 26 November. A temporary flight ban will be in place and all travellers who have been in these countries must quarantine and take tests. (Source)
* As on 11th October 2021, Indian travellers who have received both doses of Covishield or any other UK-Approved vaccine at least 14 days before arrival in the UK are considered fully vaccinated. (Source)
* As on 24th October 2021, fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18 years of age arriving in England from other non-red list countries will be asked to take a lateral flow test, on or before day 2 of their arrival into the UK. These can be booked from 22 October. (Source)
PCR Test for Vaccinated Arrivals (£66 per Test)
Time for Test Result: within 24 hours
Required for: Post arrival test for “vaccinated arrivals”. Fully vaccinated UK arrivals are required to take a test on day 2.
Includes free fitness certificate
Book Day 2 TestPCR Test for Unvaccinated Arrivals (£66 per Test)
Time for Test Result: within 24 hours
Required for: Post arrival test for “unvaccinated arrivals”. Unvaccinated UK arrivals must take a test on Days 2 and 8. The Day 5 test to release is optional.
Includes free fitness certificate
Book Day 2 & 8 PCR TestsBook Day 5 PCR TestsPCR Test for Pre-Departure & Others
Time for Test Result: within 24 hours
Required for: Pre-departure test, For Business Travel, For Medical, For employment, For social gatherings, For MICE events or Group Bookings, For Training & Conferences.
Includes free fit to fly travel certificate
Book NowFollow these 3 easy steps for your PCR Test:
- Book your PCR Test with Health Atmos and your PCR home Kit will be dispatched by our courier service on the day you arrive UK, which will be calculated as Day 0.
- You will receive the PCR home kit on Day 2 after your arrival in UK or earlier. You need to take your test and return your sample through our courier service or at drop off locations.
- We will let you know your results as soon as possible through email.
* You can also track your PCR Home kit using the Tracking ID.
To-do list for Fully vaccinated travellers:
- Fill the Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before arriving in the Uk.
- Take a PCR test 72 hours before arrival in the UK.
- A PCR test is to be taken on or before Day 2 after arrival in the Uk.
** The home Kits are usually delivered on the 2nd day only and there is no specific time frame for that. It may be delivered any time before 5 pm UK time.
To-do list for Non vaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers:
- Fill the Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before arriving in the United Kingdom.
- Take an RT-PCR test 72 hours before arrival in England.
- PCR test to be taken on Day 2 and Day 8 after arrival in the UK.
- Test to release is optional and can be done by passengers who want to end their quarantine early on Day 5. But please note that even if you do the test on Day 5, you are still required to do a test on Day 8, which is compulsory.
Check the tests you need to do as per UK Travel Guidelines
| Measure | Red List Passengers | Fully Vaccinated Passengers | Not Fully Vaccinated Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
Passenger Locator Form before Departure from source country | |||
Pre-arrival Test in source country | |||
Post Arrival Test (Day 2) | |||
Test to Release (Day 5)* | N/A | N/A | |
Post Arrival Test (Day 8) | N/A | ||
Home Quarantine for 10 days in UK | N/A | N/A | |
Hotel Quarantine for 10 days in UK | N/A | N/A |
* Rules for children and young people can be found on the official government website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children need to get RT-PCR testing?
| Testing & quarantine for children under 18 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of Child | Self-isolation | Pre-departure Test | Day 2 Test |
| 4 and under | No | No | No |
| 5 to 10 | No | No | Yes |
| 11 to 17 | No | Yes | Yes |
Source: DfT Quarantine-free travel to resume on 19 July for fully vaccinated passengers returning from amber list countries 8 July 2021
Where do red list passengers quarantine themselves?
If you are returning to the UK from one of the Red list countries, then you will be required to self-isolate yourself for 10-days in a Government-appointed hotel. Where you would be required to provide a negative Day 2 & Day 8 PCR test result. Once cleared you will be free to leave on the 11th day of your arrival.
How to calculate Day 2, Day 5 and Day 8 test for RT-PCR in the UK?
The day of arrival in the UK is calculated as Day 0, the next day is Day 1 and so forth.
| Day 0 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| Day of arrival in the UK | Post Arrival Test | Test to Release (Optional) | Post Arrival Test |
When should I fill the Passenger Locator Form?
You must fill in your Passenger Locator Form up to 48 hours (2 days) before arrival and declare all the countries you have visited or transited through in the past 10 days before you arrive in the UK. Booking for the Day 2 & Day 8 tests has to be done before you take your flight to the UK (Book here). After this, you will be provided with a Reference number that you need to add to the Passenger Locator Form.
The details required in the Passenger Locator Form:
- your Passport details or the travel document you’ll use when you arrive at the UK border
- your travel details, including times and dates
- the address where you will stay in the UK (if applicable)
- booking reference numbers for any COVID-19 tests you must take after arriving in the UK
- the invoice number for your quarantine hotel booking if you need one
- to prove your vaccination status, and say where you were vaccinated
What are the requirements to enter the UK for Red list passengers?
You can only enter the UK, if you are a British or Irish National, or if you have residence rights in the UK. Passengers should be quarantined in a government-approved hotel for 10 days. Travellers from Red countries will be required to:
- Complete a Passenger Locator Form
- Take a (PCR or lateral flow) Covid-19 test before arrival
- Book a quarantine hotel package for 10 full days, including 2 Covid-19 tests.
- Before departure, check the list of red and non-red countries, as the list can change regularly.
When should I fill the Passenger Locator Form?
You must fill in your Passenger Locator Form up to 48 hours (2 days) before arrival and declare all the countries you have visited or transited through in the past 10 days before you arrive in the UK. Booking for the Day 2 & Day 8 tests has to be done before you take your flight to the UK (Book here). After this, you will be provided with a Reference number that you need to add to the Passenger Locator Form.
The details required in the Passenger Locator Form:
- your Passport details or the travel document you’ll use when you arrive at the UK border
- your travel details, including times and dates
- the address where you will stay in the UK (if applicable)
- booking reference numbers for any COVID-19 tests you must take after arriving in the UK
- the invoice number for your quarantine hotel booking if you need one
- to prove your vaccination status, and say where you were vaccinated
What is the Cost of a PCR self-test kit and how can I book one?
The cost of the RT-PCR test kit is £66.
You can book the test kit by filling a simple form. For more information, read: FAQ’s about the RT PCR test before you travel [Updated]
How does the PCR Self-Test work?
The PCR test involves taking an oropharyngeal swab (a swab of the throat and tonsils area) and a nasopharyngeal swab (a swab of both nostrils). These swab tests are from UKAS and ISO accredited laboratories.
The kit will be delivered to your accommodation in the UK or the hotel that you are staying in.
Perform your test following the instructions provided in the envelope, and post it to the local post box using the prepaid envelope.
The results will be emailed to you 24 hours after receiving the sample.
How to do a PCR test by yourself?
Read the instructions provided carefully before opening the test kit. Scan the QR code and register online as a confirmation of your test. This is important to receive the Covid certificate. Please note that if you don’t register online then you will not receive the Covid certificate.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the kit.
- Open and place all items on a clean surface.
- Blow your nose and wash your hands again.
- Take the swab into your mouth open wide, until it touches the tonsils or where it would be and run over it for 5 secs. Avoid touching the end of the swab on your teeth, gum or tongue.
- Next, put the same swab inside your nose up to 3 cm or until you feel resistance.
- Put the swab facing down into the tube and close the lid tight.
- Take a picture of the Bar code which will be helpful to track the status of your sample at the Lab.
- Put these back in the Prepaid envelope and seal it. Take a picture of the envelope front that contains the Courier Tracking ID. It is handy to track the parcel in case of delay or other issues.
*Please note that if you don’t register online then you will not receive the Covid certificate.
You will receive the results within 24 hours after the sample reaches the Lab. Your Covid certificate contains patient details, time of the report, time and date of the test conducted, passport number and the result of the test.
How are PCR home test kits delivered to the UK address?
We ship your Test Kits via DPD. You will receive an email from DPD on the day of delivery. This email specifies a one-hour period within which your parcel will be delivered. Please bear in mind that our distribution centre is open from Monday to Saturday, and any orders which are placed on a Sunday will be delivered on a Tuesday.
*In case you are isolating in Hotel or Hostel then Kits will be delivered at reception, you will have to inform the reception in-charge to call you once your kit is delivered.
How do I send my PCR home test sample to the laboratory?
Royal Mail / DPD – You can return your Test Kit using the Royal Mail / DPD Return Envelope provided, and drop your test kit at the nearest post office. Please bear in mind that Royal Mail / DPD has limited or no service on Sundays.
* Please note down or take a picture of the tracking code which helps in tracking the delivery and you can check if the lab has received it or not. The results are released within 24 hours of receiving the sample.
