UK: Authorities to require all incoming travelers to take a PCR test within two days of arrival, from 04:00 Nov 30 /update 54

Event

Effective 04:00 Nov. 30, all arrivals to the UK will be required to take a PCR test within two days after entering the country and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result. Entry rules have been tightened in response to the presence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Other international entry requirements remain in effect as of Nov. 29.

Officials classify all countries as either "red" or "non-red" based on local disease activity and immunization rates. All travelers must complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours prior to arrival.

Fully vaccinated travelers arriving from non-red list locations must book and pay for a PCR test to be taken on or before the second day after their arrival, and must self-isolate until a negative result is returned. This only applies to travelers who have been fully vaccinated under an approved vaccination program. Full details on countries whose vaccination programs are accepted are available here.

Unvaccinated arrivals from non-red countries must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure, self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival, and take COVID-19 tests on the second and eighth days of their quarantine periods. Individuals may opt to join the Test to Release scheme by choosing to pay for a private COVID-19 test on day five. If the result of this test is negative, and the result of the test on day two was negative or inconclusive, individuals may end their quarantine early. Details of the scheme are available here.

Only citizens of the UK and Ireland, as well as travelers with residence rights in the UK, are allowed to enter from red countries. Regardless of vaccination status, these travelers will need to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before departure, quarantine in a government-approved hotel facility for 10 days at their own expense, and test on day two and day eight after arrival. As of Nov. 29, South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, eSwatini, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola remain on the red list.

All contacts of suspected Omicron COVID-19 cases are required to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status.

Authorities introduced additional procedures for testing certain categories of international arrivals. The system uses lateral flow tests to identify cases, enabling these arrivals to avoid quarantine. The categories include commercial truckers, transport crew, seafarers, seasonal agricultural workers, and certain travelers engaged in essential activity supporting the national interest. For additional information, click here. In light of new Omicron-related entry requirements, these measures could change at short notice.

Officials review these measures weekly or in response to significant changes in disease activity abroad. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they could prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures.

Resources

UK Passenger Locator Form
Declaration Form for International Travel
List of Exempt Professions
Department for Transport
Testing Parameters and Traveler Exemptions for UK Arrivals