From 4am November 30, anyone who enters the UK must take a PCR test by the end of the second day after arrival and self-isolate until they have received a negative result.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the measure in a press conference yesterday (November 27) and an announcement was made on when the rules will come into force this morning. Previously, travellers had the option of taking a cheaper lateral flow test.
This may not be the only test you need to take. Certain countries still require even double-jabbed arrivals to show evidence of a recent negative Covid test on arrival, while unvaccinated must take tests to gain entry to almost all destinations. Check the Foreign Office page for your destination before you go.
If unvaccinated, you will also need to take a pre-departure test up to 72 hours before travelling home. Furthermore, you must still take a PCR test for your day two test, and another on day eight, and self-isolate for 10 days.
Here, we break down how the respective tests work and what to look out for when booking one in the coming months.
How do I get a PCR test for my ‘day two’?
The Government has released a list of approved PCR testing companies. Prices for these range from £20 to £399.
When will my day two PCR test arrive?
Most companies will deliver your test by post within 48 hours, though some have longer guarantees. Book your test in good time before returning from your trip to avoid an extended quarantine period.
What do I do with my day two test confirmation code?
Keep this safe. You will need to put this on your Passenger Locator Form in order to travel back to the UK.
When do I need to take the day two test?
Arrival day counts as ‘day 0’, meaning ‘day two’ is the third day after arrival back. If you land on a Monday, day two is Wednesday. Misleadingly, you do not need to take the test on day two, but rather by day two. So you can take the test as soon as you land, if you wish.
What do I do once I have taken my test?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that arriving passengers must self-isolate until they receive the result of their day 2 PCR test. If negative, fully vaccinated travellers can end their self-isolation. If positive, they must isolate for 10 days and register their result with the NHS. Contact your test provider for advice.
Do children need to take tests for travel?
Different countries have varying entry rules for children. Many, including France, Spain, Portugal and Greece require unvaccinated children over the age of 12 to have taken an antigen or PCR test before arrival.
In terms of returning to the UK, all children over the age of five must take the day two test. Children do not need to take a pre-departure test, before travelling back to the UK.
What if I am not vaccinated?
If you are not vaccinated, you must take a PCR test for your day two and day 8 tests, and isolate for 10 days. You can either post your test back to the clinic, or take the test in a dedicated centre.
