The UK government is taking a step towards normal and unrestricted travel. Beginning 0400 local time on February 11, 2022, eligible fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK will no longer have to take a post-arrival, lateral flow test.
Currently, fully vaccinated travelers are required to take a COVID-19 lateral flow test within two days of arrival in the UK. Now, all fully vaccinated travelers need to do is fill a passenger locator form before arriving in the UK.
It’s good news for unvaccinated travelers too. The government has decided that those who are not classified as fully vaccinated no longer need to self-isolate and do a day 8 test after arrival in the UK. Unvaccinated travelers will still need to fill out a passenger locator form to demonstrate proof of a negative COVID test taken 2 days before travel, and they must also take a post-arrival PCR test.
“This is a proportionate system that moves us a step closer to normality while maintaining vital public health protections,” Grant Shapps, UK Secretary of State for Transport said in an oral statement to Parliament.
Travel update
From 4am Friday 11 February, all testing requirements will be removed for eligible fully vaccinated arrivals, with only a Passenger Locator Form required.
Find out more about the latest travel update #TravelSafely
— Department for Transport (@transportgovuk) January 24, 2022
The association of UK Airlines, Airlines UK called this a ‘landmark day’ after urging the government to return to restriction-free travel.
Today is a landmark day for passengers, businesses and UK plc. Read our response to the travel announcements:https://t.co/Qa2t4SMhQy pic.twitter.com/ElTcjkUgpz
— Airlines UK (@airlines_UK) January 24, 2022
“This is a landmark day for passengers, businesses and UK plc. Nearly two years since the initial Covid restrictions were introduced, today’s announcement brings international travel towards near-normality for the fully vaccinated, and at last into line with hospitality and the domestic economy,” CEO of Airlines UK Tim Alsderslade said in a statement.
“With the all-important half-term week approaching, passengers should now get booking, and airlines look forward to using the connectivity they’re proud to facilitate to turbo-charge the economic recovery for all of the UK.”