Good news for those who have trips planned over the coming months: travellers arriving in the UK will no longer have to take a pre-departure PCR tests to enter the country.
Once they’ve arrived, they also won’t have to come back negative on a PCR test – a lateral flow taken within 48 hours will suffice. And perhaps best of all, you will no longer have to self-isolate until you receive that result.
If, however, your LFT comes back positive, you will of course have to self-quarantine and a further PCR test will be required to identify the variant. The new rules are effective from 4am on Friday January 7.
The move is part of wider UK plans to ration PCRs for those who need them the most. Later this week, they will also no longer be needed to confirm a positive lateral flow for those without symptoms. Instead, anyone who receives a positive LFT will have to report their test result and isolate immediately. That rule comes into effect in England on Tuesday January 11.
You may, of course, still need to take a test – PCR or otherwise – to get out of the UK. Those rules vary depending on your destination country, though, so check before you travel.
Looking for travel inspiration? Click here for the latest travel features.
