UK testing

If you do mention it, I would suggest that you refer to it as "Isolation" rather than "Quarantine" as you won't know the outcome of that Day 2 test until the results come in (unless you begin to develop symptoms in that period but not usually at the point that you book a hotel before your journey). Quarantine to a lot of people would suggest that you are already positive for the virus and need somewhere to stay as you deal with it and recover. The isolation until Day 2 results are obtained for virtually all overseas visitors is an entry requirement imposed by the UK Government and so hotels/accommodations should be aware of the requirement but you can state that you will need to wait for the results of your Day 2 Tests and they should understand.

I made my hotel reservation when only an antigen test was needed for Day 2 and no test was needed pre-departure. The hotel didn’t ask and it wasn’t a question when making the reservation. The hotel has no idea when you arrived in country. As someone stated in a different post, probably nobody is going to check on you, so it’s pretty much an on your honor system. To answer your question, it pretty much means you’ll be staying in your room and not leaving the hotel.

One poster who arrived in London a couple days ago said from the time she took the test at the airport to when she received her results was 26 hours, so the results came back sooner than 10pm.

Thank you for the clarification!! I must remember "isolation " Thank so much for the good information.

You may well get checked, so the above poster is incorrect. It’s potentially a £1,000 fine for isolation breaches. You will need to get food delivered, so you can’t wander out and grab a takeaway.

Which is why I said, probably. I’m not the isolation police, never said to go wandering around town, am not advocating breaking the rule, and leave it up to the person asking the question to research any consequences if he/she decides to break the rule. Thank you for saving Chriss the time of looking up the possible fine.

Although the hotel has no idea when a person enters the country based upon the reservation, it may ask upon check-in. The front desk will then inform those checking what that hotel’s policy is, i.e., isolate in room until the results come in.

Oh I understand we can't leave our"isolation" place. I'll be too busy trying to set up a second test!! 😊Thanks!!

OP, here is a test provider to consider -- https://www.collinsongroup.com/en/covid-19-testing/st-pancras-international

Collinson is now offering a "premium" day 2 PCR test with results the same day if the test is taken by 6:00pm. And if test is taken after 6:00pm, the results delivered by 6:00am the next morning. Testing location near Heathrow as well as St Pancras station -- https://www.collinsongroup.com/en/covid-19-testing/st-pancras-international/test-information#ba48d2ef244a493dbba6ec45c83f8519

Potentially a much better option than waiting til 10pm the day after taking a test.

The hotel will not ask you about isolation or even have a policy on it. They are not obligated to play police regarding it. They will not be posting a guard at the door to stop you from leaving. If you decide to ignore isolation, and you get caught, the hotel does not get in trouble.

It is self-isolation. You are responsible for yourself. The government can check up on you and if you are not there, you could be fined.

In regards to the word quarantine--don't use it. As stated, it implies you've tested positive and the hotel may refuse you a room.

Every hotel is now used to food delivery. You won't have a problem.

Hi

Just wanted to pick up some or the discussion here and share our experience. We arrived in London on Sunday late afternoon, took the day 2 test at Expresstest at Terminal 2, and a taxi to our hotel room, where we isolated await the results, which came at 5.30pm the next day. It was a very simple process, as was the pre-departure test. While the UK does accept an LFT for pre-departure, we were concerned about possible changes to the policy, so took a PCR and had the results in three hours.

Hey Simon, where did you get the second PCR test that the results came in 3 hours? Thanks Jan