The UK’s travel rules are changing. From 04:00 GMT on Tuesday, every traveller coming to the UK will have to have a negative pre-departure Covid test in order to enter the country. It can be either a lateral flow or PCR test and has to be taken in the 48 hours before you travel.
On top of this, all arrivals from a foreign country (apart from the Republic of Ireland) will also need to take a PCR test before the end of their second day in the UK and have to self-isolate – whether or not you have been vaccinated – at least until their negative result comes back.
The PCR day-two test must be booked before your travel, and bought privately from a government-approved list of providers.
There has been some concern raised about the prices of tests – and how much it could add on to the cost of a trip abroad.
A passenger locator form must also be completed 48 hours before your arrival.
And remember – a number of other countries now also have their own rules and require Covid tests for travellers arriving from the UK.
For example, your potential holiday in France would now involve a lateral flow or PCR test less than 48 hours before departure, the same test two days before your return to the UK, and a PCR test on day two.
