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UK reintroduces compulsory PCR tests for arrivals – must isolate until results arrive

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Boris Johnson has announced new measures for anyone returning to the UK from a trip to any destination.

Everyone arriving in the UK will need to take a PCR test within two days of their return.

It is not clear when this will come into effect, as it presumably requires the publication of a Statutory Instrument which will appear here. Monday is probably the best bet.

Whilst technically the announcement only applied to England, Scotland and Wales have already confirmed that they will follow suit.

EDIT: As this later article explains, it comes into effect at 4am on Tuesday.

In a major change from how the policy worked during the Summer, it will be compulsory to self-isolate until the result is known.

There will also be a return to mask wearing in shops and on public transport, although not in hospitality venues. This is effective from next week.

Anyone who has been in contact with anyone diagnosed with the new Omicron covid variant will have to self-isolate for 10 days irrespective of their vaccination status.

These rules will be introduced for a temporary period of three weeks and will be reviewed at that point.

In a separate announcement earlier on Saturday, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia were added to the ‘Red List’ of countries which will require hotel quarantine for anyone who has visited them within 10 days of returning to the UK. South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini were placed on the list on Friday.

We will update this article as more details emerge. The official Government press release is here.

Category

General

Comments (424)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Will says:
    27 Nov27 November 19:48

    Just read on “euronews” that the day 2 pcr requirement doesn’t start until 29th. Anyone know if that’s right? Unsure why only one site would be saying it….

  • VerdantBacon says:
    27 Nov27 November 19:49

    Of course, the day I order lat flow tests from simplytestme

  • Tony1 says:
    27 Nov27 November 19:49

    Got friends arriving by car into Newhaven ( dont ask 10pm ) mid Dec. Obs not getting the day 2 Lateral Flow tests now, but struggling to find any reasonable PCR – they need to do it in person and preferable before they arrive at ours for Xmas ! ( they had already booked hotel stays so not worried about 10 days of non Xmas )

  • Steve says:
    27 Nov27 November 19:52

    Is it clear what will count as an inbound PCR test, given the plan for sequencing? I was thinking about just booking Collinson now in case it books up, but all they offer is a pre departure test, not a day 2 test…

    • Andrew says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:18

      They do offer a day 2 PCR at £69 each. Use code EUROSTAR20OFF for 20% off – when you get to the booking page you can select Day 2 or Day 8 PCRs. At least you can for a test at a test centre – we’ve just booked St Pancras.

      • Steve says:
        27 Nov27 November 20:27

        Thanks – looks like there is no information of a time for results there, though? I’ll be on the Eurostar so I’d prefer to use St Pancras, but if it’s 48 hours for the results then that’s not so great – but have there ever been day 2 tests with same day results from any provider? (As opposed to day 5 test to release)

        • Andrew says:
          27 Nov27 November 20:48

          I think it said within 48 hours of arriving at the lab. I’d hope for sooner. But given previous experience of postal PCRs (which arrive on Day 2) at least testing on arrival (Day 0) should minimise the delay.

          If you’re on Eurostar 9047 on Monday let me know and I’ll come say hello!

    • Mel T says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:23

      Express test has a 2 day test for arrivals too.

  • Sam says:
    27 Nov27 November 19:53

    Re mask rule. If you have no one enforcing the rule people are still gonna disobey it. Go take a tube today and have a count on the train, you’ll be surprised how many of them are not having masks on albeit it’s still the minority (maybe a 4:6 split?).

    • Numpty says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:06

      Bet there would be outrage though if someone started smoking.

    • Rob says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:23

      This isn’t the law, though, it is simply a TfL by-law you’re ignoring.

      • Sandgrounder says:
        27 Nov27 November 20:54

        It’s just a condition of carriage. If it was a bylaw, you could be prosecuted and fined.

    • John says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:25

      Once they rewrite this into law police will start being able to enforce masks again. Do they have better things to do? Maybe. Anyway it’s not practical to have a police officer in every tube carriage.

  • voiceofreason says:
    27 Nov27 November 19:53

    UK strategy has been excellent. Let the virus rip in the summer (was it after July 20th?) when hospitals are not under particular pressure. All the refuseniks who won’t get vaccinated can take their chances and the younger ones will mostly be fine anyway. The older population has more sense and gets vaccinated: tell me the last time you heard about a 70+ YO anti-vaxxer? There aren’t any. They enjoy life.

    Anybody under 30 has no particular worries anyway, so let the schooolkids spread it nice and fast. Nothing beats triple vaccination better than catching a very mild case of Covid-19. And with any luck you’ll give it to a few friends like chicken pox parties.

    • chris says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:23

      piers corbyn, 74

    • Brian says:
      27 Nov27 November 22:12

      When the voice of reason says ‘anti-vaxxer’, do you simply mean somebody who hasn’t been vaccinated? If so, then my mother is 80 and not vaccinated. Or did you mean something else?

    • Margaret says:
      28 Nov28 November 10:17

      My daughter is 18, caught it a year ago and has been struggling with long covid ever since. Try brain fog, headaches and insomnia when sitting A levels and uni admission tests her unmasked teacher gave it her btw.

  • NvT1115 says:
    27 Nov27 November 20:07

    Euronews Travel reporting Day 2 PCR testing requirement from 29th Nov. Not been able to verify elsewhere however

  • Marve says:
    27 Nov27 November 20:18

    Flying into T5, can we book a 3 hour Day 2 PCR test for once we’ve cleared customs? Who is the provider? Many thanks

    • Rob says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:20

      You’d need to look at ExpressTest who have the exclusive T5 contract.

    • CS says:
      27 Nov27 November 20:23

      Just called them, their day 2 PCR test is a 24hours return one. There is no such a thing as a 3 hour PCR test….. at least from what I’ve found on Google so far.

      I am on the same boat as you. Flying into T5 tomorrow.

      • John says:
        27 Nov27 November 20:27

        They have a 3 hour test, but it doesn’t currently come with a PLF code. I would expect them to update their offerings soon. If you’re flying tomorrow I don’t think you will be subject to the requirement yet

        • CS says:
          27 Nov27 November 20:31

          Thanks John.

          To be honest, I don’t understand why it is so difficult to announce the effective from date in the press conference.

        • Roy says:
          29 Nov29 November 13:37

          It’s more than just a PLF code. In order to offer this, it appears that they would also need to have arrangements in place to sequence positive tests. I think that’s why none of the rapid PCR test providers are yet offering rapid day 2 tests. Hopefully it will come…

      • Marve says:
        27 Nov27 November 21:43

        Thanks. They offer a 3 hour fit to fly PCR for outbound travel so I hope they offer the same for day 2 arrivals. I’m arriving from NYC next week for a x2 days of meetings so next day PCR won’t work

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