The Transport Minister announced this this afternoon (from the Guardian):
The UK’s transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has confirmed that post-arrival testing requirements will be lifted for travel to the England from 4am on 11 February, ahead of the half-term break for schools in the country.
All fully vaccinated people will have to do is verify their status via a passenger locator form.
A few more details are available at this Guardian link:
Thanks Kim! That is good to hear!
Great to hear, now I have to get my family to commit to dates before everything is booked in May!
Hallelujah - one less hassle. Now, I am hoping the USA will reciprocate by ending the requirement for a test before we can fly home. It's not easy to locate a test when you will be in Glencoe, Scotland, the day before your return flight!
Wonderful.
I might get to visit my family and friends in the UK this year after all!
I have to wonder if the next PM will keep this? (LOL)
I received an email from the UK government saying the same thing.
It’s a pity. I would prefer to know that people on my flight had tested negative, even if some of the tests aren’t 100% accurate.
A friend went to Spain a fortnight ago (no entry tests required). A few days into the holiday and he has tested positive so has to isolate. It looks like he picked it up at the airport or on the flight, despite wearing a mask other than when eating and drinking.
After England opened up more, now I am considering spending some time in England on our way to our safari in East Africa in July.
We wanted to go to Cornwall, but perhaps July is not the best time due to being packed?
My only concern is that if we picked up COVID19 while in England it could derail our trip to Africa.
I for one am happy the requirement is going away. Tests are fine, but are only a snapshot in time of when it was taken. One could catch it between taking the test and getting on the plane. Masks only slow down the spread, not stop it. Removing a mask to eat and drink defeats their purpose in closed spaces since the virus is still circulating. Whatever the rule is when I travel, I’ll follow it. I just want to travel internationally again.
Guess I’ll get a credit for my scheduled PCR test at Heathrow and will use part of it to schedule the test for returning to the U.S.
