PCR Tests Scrapped For Passengers Returning To England

From the 24th of October, PCR Tests will be scrapped for passengers returning to England from non-red list countries. This isn’t the end of testing however, you will still need to cheaper a cheaper lateral-flow test on or before day 2 of your return. This will only apply to passengers deemed to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the Government which means there are some vaccines/countries that aren’t covered by this change.

How do I book a lateral-flow test for my return?

Passengers will be able to purchase a test (you can’t use NHS ones) from the 22nd of October when a list of approved private providers will be posted on the government website here – https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider

It’s still a requirement to complete a passenger locator form prior to travel, including a test booking reference number supplied by a testing provider. You will be able to upload the new test booking references to the passenger locator form from 22 October for arrival in the UK from 24 October.

Passengers will need to take a photo of their lateral flow test and booking reference supplied by the private provider and send it back to them to verify the result. Passengers are also able to book to have a test which they can take on their arrival into the UK at testing centres located in some airports.

If you get a positive test on your lateral-flow test you will need to self-isolate and book a FREE NHS PCR test to confirm the diagnosis.

Who is covered by the changes to allow a lateral-flow test on return?

If you’ve had both doses of Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca, Moderna, or one dose of Janssen (J&J) at least 14 days before arrival from the following countries you will be recognised as fully vaccinated by the UK & thus these changes will apply to you (as long as you haven’t visited a red list country in the 10 days previous.)

Children under the age of 18 who are from one of the countries listed below will be treated as a fully vaccinated adult when entering England. (source 1.2 – https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9203/CBP-9203.pdf)

If you have been jabbed with two different doses of these vaccines e.g. Oxford & Pfizer you will also be recognised as being fully vaccinated.

• Albania
• Andorra
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bosniaz
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Croatia
• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Egypt
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Ghana
• Greece
• Grenada
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy
• Israel
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kosovo
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Malta
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Namibia
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• San Marino
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• UAE
• UK
• Ukraine
• US
• Vatican City
• Vietnam

Are PCR tests being scrapped for the Red List?

If you are travelling from one of the Red List countries, regardless of vaccination status, the following rules apply…

You may only enter the UK if you are a British or Irish national or you have residence rights in the UK

You need to take a ‘Fit to Fly’ COVID test (doesn’t need to be a PCR test) in the 3 days before your return to England.

Complete a Passenger Locator Form before your return

You must prebook a 10-day quarantine hotel package, which includes the two necessary tests.

These rules also still apply if you transited in a Red List country on your way back to the UK. Whilst the Government has said this rule will be removed there has been no set date as of yet.

The most up to date information on what countries are on the Red List you can find on the Government website here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories

PCR Tests Scrapped Conclusion

If you are going away for the half-term week or later we would hold off booking an expensive day 2 PCR test and instead wait for the list of lateral-flow test providers to be released. Are you a fan of PCR tests being scrapped for cheaper lateral-flow tests? You can stay update on the current travel restrictions & testing requirements on the Government’s website here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19