What Covid tests do you currently need for international travel?
The government recently announced changes to Covid tests for travel, to simplify international travel in time for the February half term holiday. From 4am on 11th February 2022, fully vaccinated passengers arriving into England or Scotland from overseas will no longer have to take a post arrival lateral flow test or a Covid 19 PCR test. The rules will also change for unvaccinated travellers, who no longer need to do a follow up test on day eight, or self isolate.
Adults who have had two Covid jabs and those under the age of 18 will no longer need to take a test after arriving in England or Scotland. Unvaccinated travellers will, from 11th February, not need to self isolate when they arrive or take a test on day eight. However, they will still need to take a pre-departure test and day two test. Passenger locator forms will also be simplified to make travel easier.
Who still needs a Covid test for travel?
If you are unvaccinated, or have not received two Covid-19 vaccinations, then you will be required to take a pre-departure test before you travel and show proof of a negative result. You will also need to take a Covid-19 PCR test on day two once you have arrived back in England or Scotland.
As of yet, Wales and Northern Ireland have not made any announcements regarding changes to Covid tests for travel, so the current rules apply. This means travellers to Wales and Northern Ireland will still need to take a lateral flow test or PCR test within 48 hours of arriving. This test must come from a private provider such as Heathrow Medical.
We offer the full spectrum of Covid tests for travel, so whatever the rules and however they change, we can help you to travel safely. Our tests include:
- Self test rapid antigen tests – to be sent to you in the post or collected onsite and used for return day 2 testing
- PCR tests
- Antibody testing
For inbound travellers to the UK, we provide same day and next day turnaround on day 2 tests.
For outbound travellers from the UK we offer PCR and TMA tests, also known as ‘fit to fly’ tests that enable you to travel abroad to countries which require evidence of a negative test.
As we are based near Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport we are ideally located for passengers travelling to or from London. To book a Covid test for travel, or find out more about our full range of tests, please call us on 020 8528 2633 or click here to send us a message.