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.

UK reintroduces compulsory PCR tests for arrivals

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

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

Phil G says:

27 Nov27 November 23:42

Currently away in the Maldives until 3rd December. Caught a news channel saying testing company shares were slumping so I suppose this is the boost they need.
Also expect PCR prices to rise now which will show this isn’t about protecting anyones health
- Track says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 00:06
  
  They test travellers because activity is traceable and they can. No one thinks to test 82,000 Twickenham or overcrowded tube passengers. So yes, they sell us the risk management, not the actual mitigation.
  
  The more immediate problem is the style. You really have to announce PCR test requirement for Monday on a Saturday night, so all returning travellers scramble. Test is not big deal but they will do it again with any Red List changes.
- John says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 05:00
  
  Testing company shares are slumping because the government buys tests from China and doesn’t fulfill its contracts with UK companies, refusing to pay for work already done.
  - Nick says:
    
    28 Nov28 November 07:02
    
    What are the terms of those contract(s)? If the government was in breach of those terms there would be a clear case for damages, as in any other commercial contract.
    
    Having been involved in commercial disputes, and knowing a trade federation arbitrator in a large global industry, the first thing that they always ask, in any case, is “What does the contract actually say?”
gt94sss2 says:

28 Nov28 November 01:11

I wonder if HfP could do a list of the cheapest Day 2 PCR providers?
- ChrisC says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 02:25
  
  Try google
- Tracey says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 07:20
  
  Try MSE
  - Rob says:
    
    28 Nov28 November 09:07
    
    Surely ‘fastest’ is now more important than cheapest?
    - gt94sss2 says:
      
      28 Nov28 November 10:28
      
      Depends, if you have a business meeting or need to go to work etc, then yes, fastest is more important.
      
      If you’re just going away for a family Christmas and coming back in the holiday period, then speed is not so much of an issue compared to price
      - Rob says:
        
        28 Nov28 November 10:43
        
        You have a pretty low value on your time if you’re willing to stay locked in your own home for another 24-48 hours than necessary purely to save £20 on a test.
      - Andrew says:
        
        28 Nov28 November 11:53
        
        Rob: To be fair on many a cold winter Monday I have no desire/reason to leave the house and would quite happily save £20, no value loss at all.
Munch says:

28 Nov28 November 01:38

Just landed at DSA with a LFT plf barcode. Border force didn’t know the exact timing of the new PCR requirement.
- mr_jetlag says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 03:09
  
  I’m landing tomorrow at 6am. PLF has already been filed with gov.uk, not looking forward to that conversation if they insist on a PCR. Anyone know the latest?
  - Scott says:
    
    28 Nov28 November 03:49
    
    It would have to be done within 2 days of arrival, so you wouldn’t have to have it in place when you land. You could do it the next day, or the day after, depending on when they decide what 2 days runs from.
sigma421 says:

28 Nov28 November 05:24

According to the PLF website the new requirement starts from 0400 U.K. time on Tuesday
- mr_jetlag says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 05:31
  
  Phew.
- NvT1115 says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 06:05
  
  That’s a relief
- CS says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 06:19
  
  Looks like I paid for the PCR for nothing.
Aceman says:

28 Nov28 November 05:40

What’s changed? I’m in Thailand now and always assumed I’d have to do the day 2 test anyway?
They haven’t re-introduced the pre-departure test have they?
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 05:44
  
  PCR required not a LF.
  Must isolate from arrival until you get the result.
  No isolation exemption for vaccinated if exposed to new variant, so if someone on you flight tests positive for it, you will be locked down until 10 days after your return.
Andrew says:

28 Nov28 November 06:25

I’m booked to return from Norway to Aberdeen in a couple of weeks. Is there anywhere in Aberdeen or central Scotland I could get an on-site Day 2 PCR? Ideally would like to get test done and away to the lab on the day I arrive to minimise isolation time.
- ChrisC says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 06:30
  
  This is just lazy.
  
  Try the airport website or google
  - Andrew says:
    
    28 Nov28 November 06:34
    
    Don’t you think I have looked already at those sources? I wouldn’t be asking I hadn’t already looked and failed to find anything.
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 06:42
  
  Eurofins have a site in Livingston
  - Sandgrounder says:
    
    28 Nov28 November 06:51
    
    Randox have a walk through in Glasgow city centre.
- Graeme says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 07:18
  
  ExpressTest have a walk through test centre at Union Square in Aberdeen city centre (close to rail and bus stations).
Roger says:

28 Nov28 November 07:01

Not clear if at home PCR test is OK and can I collect it before heading home from airport such as from RANDOX site at Heathrow?
- John says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 07:47
  
  Yes
- Sandgrounder says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 09:32
  
  You can also do the home test at the airport and leave it in the drop box before you head home.
Lee says:

28 Nov28 November 07:23

I booked a night stay near LHR before travelling back home in Sheffield. After 11 hours flight and arriving late in the evening, that was a reasonable plan. How will this work now? Do I allowed to stay in the hotel?
- John says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 07:48
  
  Yes but you should probably stay in the hotel until you get a negative test
  - Bill says:
    
    28 Nov28 November 09:14
    
    You must travel directly to the place you’re staying. If this is a long journey that cannot be completed in a day you are permitted to stay somewhere overnight.
- James says:
  
  28 Nov28 November 07:54
  
  Arguably the hotel would be viewed as your point of isolation now