England and Scotland have today decided to end Covid-19 test requirements for fully vaccinated who enter from 4AM on February 11, 2022. Wales and Northern Ireland haven’t yet announced if they do the same (highly likely).
Currently fully vaccinated do not need a predeparture test, but they must have booked Day 2 or prior test before entering the UK. Travelers still need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) form.
You can access England’s page for Covid-19 and travel here.
Here’s the announcement:
Changes to international travel rules from 11 February 2022
If you arrive in England after 4am, 11 February, the following rules will apply.
Fully vaccinated – from 11 February
If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you:
- will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive
- will not need to quarantine when you arrive
Check if you can follow the rules for people who are fully vaccinated – includes people aged 17 and under.
Not fully vaccinated – from 11 February
If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you will need to:
- show proof of a negative COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England
- book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test – to be taken after you arrive in England
You will need to book the PCR test before you travel.
You will not need to quarantine, unless the result of the PCR test is positive.
Passenger locator form
You will still need to complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England, whether you qualify as fully vaccinated or not.
If you arrive in England before 4am, 11 February you must follow the current rules, as set out in this guidance below.
Conclusion
It is a rather sensible change from England, and I hope that countries that still require predeparture tests would drop them too.
I have chosen not to travel on BA and through Heathrow several times over the past 18 months due to testing requirements in place, even for transit passengers. My business has gone to other airlines.
