Travellers To England Can Take Lateral Flow Covid Tests From October 24
Spain News
Published: 18 October 2021 12:07 CET
From Sunday, October 24, international travellers who have been fully vaccinated and most under 18s, will be able to take a lateral flow test when visiting England, if they are from a country that is not on the ‘red list’.
Previously a PCR test had been required but the government announced the change that will now only require the cheaper and quicker lateral flow test, which has to be taken within 48 hours of arriving in England.
Covid-19 tests will be available to book through private providers that are listed on the government's website and is positive news for those returning from half-term holidays.
The Department of Health and Social Care said that the tests can be booked from October 22 and visitors must upload a photo of their test result to prove their result as quickly as possible. If a positive result is given, the traveller “will need to self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We want to make going abroad easier and cheaper, whether you’re travelling for work or visiting friends and family.
“Lateral flow tests will be available later this month for those returning from half-term holidays.
“This change to testing is only possible thanks to the incredible progress of our vaccination programme, which means we can safely open up travel as we learn to live with the virus.”
According to the government's website “Eligible travellers vaccinated in over 100 countries and territories including Brazil, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, will be treated the same as returning fully vaccinated UK residents.
“This means they will be eligible for the quarantine exemption and reduced testing measures, including taking just a lateral flow test on arrival. This is as long as they have not visited a red list country or territory in the 10 days before arriving in England. Eligible under 18s from these countries will also be treated as if fully vaccinated.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s rule changes will make testing on arrival simpler and cheaper for people across the country who are looking forward to well-earned breaks for this October half-term.
“Taking away expensive mandatory PCR testing will boost the travel industry and is a major step forward in normalising international travel and encouraging people to book holidays with confidence.”
The government has also said that it plans to extend regulations and publish protocol to permit some tests that are supplied to the private testing market, that are awaiting validation, to remain on the market in the short term.
They say this is to address any “potential shortage of supply while work continues at a pace to ensure only high-performing tests are ultimately approved to remain on the UK market.”
The government will continue to publish a list of private testing providers who meet the minimum standards for the public to choose from, along with PCR test options that are available.
Visitors who have not been fully vaccinated with an authorised vaccine and are returning from a ‘non-red list’ destination, must still take a pre-departure test, plus a PCR test on day 2 and day 8. They must also complete 10 days of self-isolation, with the option of Test to Release on day 5.
Source
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lateral-flow-tests-to-be-introduced-for-vaccinated-international-arrivals
