The new year has not got off to a good start for travellers. Today (18th January) the government has closed all travel corridors, which allowed travel to certain countries without needing to quarantine on return and has introduced mandatory pre-departure testing.
Pre-departure testing
Needing a negative COVID-19 test certificate before being allowed to board an aircraft is nothing new. Many countries have had this policy since mid-2020, and now the governments of England, Ireland Scotland and Wales have followed suit.
Travellers will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test carried out within 72 hours before boarding a flight to the UK. Boarding will likely be denied without a valid certificate. Failure to prove you had a negative test could result in a £500 fine.
You will need to take a test even if you are a UK citizen, arriving into the UK from any country, except Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey, Falkland Islands, St Helena or Ascension Island.
When arranging a test, you’ll need to confirm the test is of sufficient specification and that you can get a certificate in English, French or Spanish. Original certificates must be presented, and translations are not permitted.
The test must meet performance standards =97% specificity, =80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml. The test can be a PCR, LAMP or lateral flow.
If your trip is less than three days, you may do a test in the UK before departing on your outbound leg. This test must be private and not through the NHS. The NHS will not provide you with a certificate suitable for travel, and boarding will likely be denied.
Your test certificate must include the following:
- your name, which should match the name on your travel documents
- your date of birth or age
- the result of the test
- the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
- the name of the test provider and their contact details
- the name of the test device
Children under the age of 11 do not need to take a test. There are also exceptions for people travelling due to urgent medical treatment, where taking a test 3 days before isn't possible, and people who are unable to take a test due to a medical condition. In this case, a note from a medical practitioner is required.
Positive result?
Don’t travel. Follow local healthcare advice to isolate and seek medical advice as needed.
Test to release
Upon return to the UK, regardless of a negative test, all travellers will now be required to self-isolate for 10 days.
Passengers may opt into the Test to Release for International Travel scheme. This scheme allows the self-isolation period to be curtailed after a second negative test taken on day 5. This scheme is not available to passengers arriving from, or having visited within the last 10 days, countries subject to a travel ban.
Constantly changing rules
Readers of this blog will know how much has been written on how to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new testing regime and removal of travel corridors is understandable, and most travellers will be able to manage these new restrictions. More significant is the imposition of travel bans, which can cause much greater personal cost, inconvenience and health implications. Hopefully, these travel bans will not last long, and the new testing/self-isolation regime will mitigate the potential impact of travel from these destinations.
As ever – if you plan to travel make sure you have good quality, comprehensive travel insurance that will protect you against the cost of cancellation due to a positive COVID test, and provide medical cover and self-isolation financial help should you contract COVID-19 whilst away.
Some airlines provide travel insurance with your airfare (Emirates) which can be useful in some circumstances. We're here to answer any questions you have and to make sure you have good quality and sufficient insurance cover when you need it the most. Please get a free quote online, or give our team a call on 01243 964666.
All information correct as at 18th January 2021
