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

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• Dawn says:

  27 Nov27 November 20:47

  I was just researching a tier point run for January to Istanbul using the BA Holiday offer to get the double tier points. But now the rules have changed I guess it’s wiser to wait a while and not book it. I can’t bear to have yet another BA voucher if I have to cancel it. I have to do it before 1 February so I can’t wait too long to decide.

  • Dwadda says:

    27 Nov27 November 21:16

    Isn’t your status automatically renewed this year? You fall within the auto renew dates AFAIK.

• Adam says:

  27 Nov27 November 20:59

  So is anyone on here currently aboard and flying back to the UK In the next couple of days… interested to see who’s risked booked a 1-3 hour rapid “departure” PCR so they get the results quickly and avoid quarantining until results, or have you booked an arrival PCR (with 24-48 result period)… my only concern with selecting the departure express PCR is it won’t provide a code for the PLF (although I’ve already submitted with my LFT code prior to announcement)… I know we’re all stabbing in the dark, but interested if anyone else has “risked” selecting a 1-3 hour departure PCR package for the fast results. Thanks!

  • Bill says:

    27 Nov27 November 21:10

    If travelling back to the UK in the next couple of days why would you do anything different compared to earlier today.

  • CS says:

    27 Nov27 November 21:27

    I have booked the normal day 2 PCR test.

  • CS says:

    27 Nov27 November 21:29

    I have been told, if you managed to get your PCR done before the cut off time of the day, and a bit of luck, you should be able to get the result the same day.

• Stephan says:

  27 Nov27 November 21:00

  Nevermind pcr tests, countries like Switzerland are imposing 10 day quarantine on UK arrivals, even if vaccinated…

• Bill says:

  27 Nov27 November 21:00

  Spain’s 🇪🇸restrictions on UK visitors 👇🏽🚨

  Spain will only allow *fully-vaccinated* UK visitors (Spain say that’s anyone over the age of 12, must have both doses).

  Children under 12 – unvaccinated – can enter with vaccinated parent

  Over 12 & unvaccinated? No entry ⛔️

  • Alastair says:

    27 Nov27 November 21:25

    I live in Finland and I think this is the current rule and has been since they opened up to anyone not resident (regardless of citizenship other than Finnish) here – I was surprised that it was not more widespread in Europe.

    • Bill says:

      27 Nov27 November 21:37

      The UK government updated their website this evening with the Spain changes

      • Bill says:

        27 Nov27 November 21:41

        Another UK government website update has just been done, in addition to the one at 2050. Here’s the latest update:

        Update from GOV.​UK for:

        Spain travel advice

        Spain travel advice
        Change made:
        Changes to entry rules in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). From 1 December, all arrivals to Spain from the UK (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) must present proof of vaccination. (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)

        Time updated:
        9:36pm, 27 November 2021

    • Polly says:

      30 Nov30 November 04:24

      Hi Alastair,

      How are you enjoying life in Finland. Remember you were leaving to live there, the day after that last hfp party. Do you feel pretty safe there? We do miss our ex ex QR J flts departing from HEL. Enjoyed our mini breaks there before going to Asia. Best..Polly

  • David says:

    27 Nov27 November 23:45

    I guess my daughter who is 14 and has had the allowed one jab is banned from Spain this Christmas ! Another cancellation and e-voucher on its way !!

• Track says:

  27 Nov27 November 21:06

  Just yesterday, I posted in Comments — not to plan or book anything unless genuine need.

  • Lee says:

    27 Nov27 November 21:41

    That would be 2050 surely, not sure we can live that long 🙁

  • Babyg says:

    27 Nov27 November 22:00

    gawd @Track.. what a dull way to live life… im hoping to get to my genuine need to see the f1 in Abu Dhabi in December…

    • Track says:

      27 Nov27 November 22:04

      Enjoy the mandatory quarantine in a hotel facility on arrival back to UK!

      The policy steps are very predictable: UAE hub with traffic from the African continent likely to be on red list if this continues.

  • GeorgeJ says:

    27 Nov27 November 22:13

    Or just go and be damned! As long as you are happy to sit it out, whats the problem. I rather enjoyed being in Austria with the borders closed last January, skiing was essential exercise, it beat being in damp cold London.
    Currently in Mexico and no intention of rushing back in the current panic, will stay here as long as necessary (or until hurricane season!).
    A flexible plan B is all you need.

    • Rob says:

      27 Nov27 November 22:15

      Yes, our twice-extended 17 nights in the Middle East last December was great. Don’t see any merit in spending Christmas in the UK if restrictions return.

• Paul says:

  27 Nov27 November 21:31

  I was ridiculed at the start of the week when I suggested Covid had not gone away. Feeling rather smug right now!
  Also very angry that I am being forced to have day 2 PCR despite being triple jabbed! For an upcoming Christmas market weekend I now face needing to take 4 days leave.
  Airline shares will plummet on Monday. Tory cronies shares will rise and there will be a tsunami of cancellations by both airlines and passengers in the coming days.

  • Will says:

    27 Nov27 November 21:38

    You’re feeling smug, yet also looking for sympathy for tour Christmas Market dilemma? Good luck with that. And also with the Christmas markets, which I suspect will be shut.

    • Paul says:

      27 Nov27 November 21:57

      Not seeking sympathy I can cancel if BA don’t., though I suspect there will be a Tsunami of cancellations in coming days. BA crew. unless excepted, won’t want to go through this crap again after every night stop in Europe.

  • Track says:

    27 Nov27 November 22:09

    Given the Covid reports from Germany all October and November, why would anyone reasonable plan a Christmas market trip (plus it’s cold season when the viruses activate).

    I mean you can plan but be ready for disruptions and inconveniences. Even the chance to get stuck home for 10 days after a positive PCR, possibly even longer (after 2-day Xmas market or a week ski holiday) — not enticing.

    • GeorgeJ says:

      27 Nov27 November 22:23

      OK but how does that differ from doing anything in the UK where the ONS survey indicates that 1 in 65 have indicators of Covid present, you take a risk whenever you leave the house. I was at Twickenham the last two Saturdays with crowds of @82,000, no different from a Christmas market really.
      Different people have different attitudes to risk and I have already done 4 stints of quarantine, another wont worry me overly much (though I will do my best to avoid it, especially if it involves a hotel).

      • Track says:

        27 Nov27 November 23:42

        If you remain within the UK, you don’t need to get tested.

        No test = no self isolation.

        This is how Uber drivers and shop workers think, btw. A lot of people do not test on symptoms because they can’t afford to sit idle at home, and no one will do their shopping even.

        I agree with you, this is where it gets ridiculous: no one thinks to test 82,000 crowd after Twickenham. The tube and buses run with delays and crowded recently.

        The measures though are not about managing or mitigating risks, they put test requirements on travellers simply because the activity is traceable.

  • Char Char says:

    28 Nov28 November 00:24

    Don’t know who ridiculed you but Covid in some form is going to be around for a while but clearly will become less lethal than it ever was with more variants and people being exposed more

• CS says:

  27 Nov27 November 21:36

  Let me shed some light here.

  If you read it somewhere halfway through, it says:

  “Targeted measures will be introduced from next week as a precaution to slow down the spread of the variant while we gather more information. These are:

  All international arrivals must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
  All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
  Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport from next week. All hospitality settings will be exempt.”

  Source:
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-new-measures-as-omicron-variant-identified-in-uk-27-november-2021

  • Tracey says:

    27 Nov27 November 23:16

    I do wonder if all contacts of omicron will translate to everyone on your flight.

• Lee says:

  27 Nov27 November 21:40

  Since Swiss has red listed UK, no question more will follow. Seems world will just shut with every new variants, insane.

  • GeorgeJ says:

    27 Nov27 November 22:26

    Agreed insane, as currently the Swiss reg is that transit to France will not be affected; lets see if they stick to that or realise that is a spectacular own goal, effectively closing their ski resorts to Brits but letting them transit to France!

  • Track says:

    27 Nov27 November 23:49

    Of course, the variant will spread.

    Intra-EU, there seem to be an agreement to rely on vaccine passes, but all third countries will get their quarantines.

    I go further and say, once the system of restrictions activated like it did, it will not stop unless we have Omicron-specific booster (Moderna said they’re making one), basically the new vaccine.

    That is until the EU plus UK and USA not vaccinated with the new vaccine (not simply Pfizer 3rd dose booster), do not expect a free travel. That’s half a billion people to revaccinate.

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