Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

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

Links on Head for Points may support the site by paying a commission.  See here for all partner links.

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.

Comments (432)

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

  • Paul says:

    Interestingly school were told on Friday around 3:30/4pm that they had to prepare for testing at start of the spring term in January

  • Bill says:

    Paul Charles on Twitter

    Just had reports that @UKBorder officials @HeathrowAirport have been telling arrivals tonight that the new PCR test and self-isolation rules start at 4am Sunday. But still no official word from @10DowningStreet

  • ianMi says:

    SO what is the situation for someone arriving at Heathrow with a connection to Glasgow – do they need to self isolate somehow in London or can they continue on domestic flight and take test later?

  • BlueHorizonUk says:

    This from Qured

    As of 27th November 2021, the government has mandated that anyone who enters the UK from Monday 29th November must now take a PCR test by the end of the second day after arrival and self isolate until they have a negative result.

  • BlueHorizonUk says:

    Also at least one provider has increased prices for PCR, who can guess which one……….

    Randox

  • Aaron C says:

    As we know, you can get rapid 3hr pre departure tests from Colinson. Can these be used for arrivals? Hopefully someone (Colinson?) will adapt and offer rapid 3hr arrivals tests…

  • Mart says:

    Asking for a friend
    will the reference numbers from a 2 day lft be ok for UK entry ,free PCR testing at work(drop in on way home from the airport and quarantine until the result comes through)

    • BlueHorizonUK says:

      I doubt work testing will work unless they issue a reference number that will be accepted by the Passenger Locator Form.

      • Mart says:

        Sorry if I wasnt clear enough the reference number would be from the previously bought 2 day lft
        The works test is for own wellbeing

  • LST says:

    We were meant to be going to California over Xmas, returning on the 5th of Jan with the kids going back to school and us back to work (we work in healthcare so can’t work from home and leave is fixed) on the 6th. Think we will have to cancel as I can’t see the PCR test, with isolation until negative result, being dropped by then.
    Luckily flights are Avios bookings and the hotels are on Bonvoy points, but can’t get refunds on theme park tickets!!
    Disney will let me rebook up to 2024, but £1K of Universal Hollywood VIP tickets appear to be non changeable…
    What a ballache!

    • Tara says:

      Sorry to hear this. Although I’ve read on this chat that there are express PCR tests available (one location being Heathrow but I found others on google) which give you results in around 3 hours? If you can do those on the day you land, that might help!

      • LST says:

        Thanks for that, they haven’t updated it yet but hopefully it will be an option. The main issue is low appetite for risk from my partner, had to twist her arm to agree in the first place and today’s news is not helping matters!!!

    • BlueHorizonUk says:

      Maybe wait until they publish the actual rules

    • Louise K says:

      Check your travel insurance re: cancellation cover for your theme park tickets.

      Who did you book them through?

      • LST says:

        Booked direct from Disney/Universal, travel insurance is with HSBC Premier – theme park (or any other e.g. sporting event, concert) tickets not covered whether that is from cancellation or disinclination.

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

The UK's biggest frequent flyer website uses cookies, which you can block via your browser settings. Continuing implies your consent to this policy. Our privacy policy is here.