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UK reintroduces compulsory PCR tests for arrivals – must isolate until results arrive

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Boris Johnson has announced new measures for anyone returning to the UK from a trip to any destination.

Everyone arriving in the UK will need to take a PCR test within two days of their return.

It is not clear when this will come into effect, as it presumably requires the publication of a Statutory Instrument which will appear here. Monday is probably the best bet. Whilst technically the announcement only applied to England, Scotland and Wales have already confirmed that they will follow suit.

EDIT: As this later article explains, it comes into effect at 4am on Tuesday.

Coronavirus

In a major change from how the policy worked during the Summer, it will be compulsory to self-isolate until the result is known.

There will also be a return to mask wearing in shops and on public transport, although not in hospitality venues. This is effective from next week.

Anyone who has been in contact with anyone diagnosed with the new Omicron covid variant will have to self-isolate for 10 days irrespective of their vaccination status.

These rules will be introduced for a temporary period of three weeks and will be reviewed at that point.

In a separate announcement earlier on Saturday, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia were added to the ‘Red List’ of countries which will require hotel quarantine for anyone who has visited them within 10 days of returning to the UK. South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini were placed on the list on Friday.

We will update this article as more details emerge. The official Government press release is here.

Category

General

Comments (432)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Mart says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:17

    And so it begins…quickest day 2 pcr test for arrival at Heathrow? Land 19:00 in a week Sunday evening, need to be at an event 18:00 the next day…

  • Trev says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:29

    I’m missing something. As an example, I land Monday, take my pcr in T5, wander around the country for 2 days potentially spreading my virus? Is this not ridiculous?

  • Scott says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:32

    So what’s the situation if you’ve recently had Covid.
    I’m not supposed to take a PCR test for say 90 days (been 26/27 since I tested positive).
    Did an allergen on Thursday and that was negative.

    I’ve one booked for the 9th Dec before a SOF trip, and was planning on another one the 15th Dec before my next trip on the 17th (assuming of course things don’t go pear-shaped result and/or virus wise).

    • John says:
      27 Nov27 November 18:38

      Well you’ll just have to accept the slightly higher chance of testing positive and the consequences of that, despite probably not being infected/infectious

      • RomP says:
        28 Nov28 November 09:18

        The guidelines are not update and currently state:

        “The 90-day window after a positive test
        If someone has tested positive with a PCR test, they should not be tested using either PCR or rapid lateral flow tests for 90 days, unless they develop new symptoms during this time – in which case they should be retested immediately using PCR.

        This 90-day period is from the initial onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic when tested, their positive test result.”

        I tested positive 22/10, travelling back from Frankfurt on 2/12. The last PLF, on return from the USA on 12/11, didn’t cover recovery status and wanted to know my PCR test provider and booking, I inserted a previous and that was that! Unless I filled it in incorrectly.

        I won’t be taking a test unless there is clear information/guidance.

  • CheshirePete says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:38

    We depart from Faro in the morning and obviously have our Green authorised PLF all accepted and uploaded within 48 hours.

    It’s to hard to see how they can implement this no earlier than 48 hours from now. Surely!? Even the SA return rules had 2 days notice!

    • John says:
      27 Nov27 November 18:40

      Well the first ever lockdown took 3.5 days to become law. They probably hope that people travelling now are responsible and voluntarily get PCRs and reduce their movements.

      • CheshirePete says:
        27 Nov27 November 18:43

        As well as my pre booked Antigen test I’m quite happy to take an NHS PCR drive thru test on my return, but I’ve currently followed the guidelines and been approved to arrive. It’s not quite the same as someone returning 3 days away!

  • Scott says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:44

    So do we know what sort of tests they want?

    NHS; non-NHS; supervised; non-supervised etc…..

  • BlueHorizonUk says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:49

    Switzerland now require U.K. to take PCR and quarantine for 10 days on arrival

  • CS says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:55

    Hello all,

    Arriving tomorrow to T5 8.25 in the morning. Does anyone have any recommendation that I can get a PCR test with the result on the same day?

    Thanks

    • BlueHorizonUk says:
      27 Nov27 November 19:21

      They still haven’t confirmed when this actually starts. As usual for Boris, confusion.

  • Roger says:
    27 Nov27 November 18:58

    Anyone got experience of RANDOX collection point near Heathrow which is near Radisson blu hotel?

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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