Considering jetting off to the UK? Be prepared to take a pre-departure PCR test because travellers from all countries will now be required to secure a negative result before they embark on their journeys.
The United Kingdom has announced new travel updates and restrictions as the Omicron variant spreads worldwide.
Everyone travelling to the UK who is aged 12 and above must have a mandatory pre-departure PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before travelling.
The test requirement applies to all travellers regardless of vaccination status. The test can be a PCR or a lateral flow. The UK’s Covid-19 travel updates and safety measures come into effect on December 7.
Additionally, the UK has added Nigeria to its red list. Effective December 6, travellers coming from the country will need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days, according to UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
The change comes as 21 Omicron cases in the UK were linked to recent Nigerian travel.
Travellers from other countries currently do not have to quarantine. As per the last UK coronavirus update, people only need to self-isolate until they test negative within two days of arriving.
At the end of November, the UK government tightened COVID-19 safety measures. It was mandated that passengers now take a PCR test by the end of day two after touching down on British soil.
In the UK, travellers coming from seven African countries will now be expected to quarantine in a hotel on arrival, with the length of stay depending on vaccination and residency status.
The update applies to all travellers from Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Saudi Arabia has made several Covid-19 updates, too, following the spread of Omicron. It is now mandatory for people to have a booster shot in order to maintain their vaccinated status, and these rules come into effect from February 1 2022.
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