End of mandatory PCR testing for UK-bound travelers

London more accessible to vaccinated travelers
Conditions are easing again for vaccinated travelers in the UK (Photo: Piccadilly Circus, London – LC)

Will Boris Johnson’s UK gain a little pragmatism in its border management? Over the past six months, the country’s travel rules have been changed repeatedly. But this time, The latest provisions adopted by the government seem to be going in the direction of a simplification,

Thus Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that, Starting this Friday 7 January, England is removing the requirement for arriving passengers to have pre-departure PCR tests, Any traveler who has been fully vaccinated (with a double dose) can enter England and Wales without producing a negative PCR test. Northern Ireland and Scotland should quickly follow suit.

A rapid antigenic test by lateral flow only (LFT) is warranted -i.e. say self-examination- within two days of arrival, The visitors will no longer need to quarantine themselves till they get their result. Still, If the result is positive, then the passengers will have to undergo a PCR test. To help identify “any new versions on the range” as Boris Johnson explained.

It also means that The British government has abolished the obligation to test before leaving the United Kingdom, However, many countries require PCR testing for anyone leaving the UK…

Pre-departure and arrival rules, however, remain unchanged for non- or partially vaccinated passengers,

The powerlessness of sanctions against Omicron

These measures announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday are justified The limited effect of such restrictions on the circulation of the Omicron version, The latter continues, as in France, spread rapidly in the United Kingdom with 160,000 to 200,000 positive cases daily.

The ineffectiveness of the restriction measures generated a series of criticisms from tourism and travel professionals, who called for a review of the conditions for entering and leaving the UK. they also want stabilization of rules To allow travelers to plan their trips.

A wish that must be granted, according to the BBC. Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, in fact it has been declared that ” Complete review of travel measures by end-January to ensure a stable system for 2022,

Restriction measures have actually faced the covid pandemic Devastating impact on UK air transport in 2021, country has registered 71 percent drop in international flights According to a recent report by aerial data analytics company Cirium. Around 406,060 international flights were carried out from the UK in 2021, up from 1.4 million in 2019.

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