End of PCR test upon arrival and lifting of restrictions

Travel to the United Kingdom: End of PCR testing upon arrival and lifting of restrictions

Fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the UK are no longer required to be tested for COVID-19. latest information.

[Mis à jour le 14 février 2022 10h56] Good news if you plan to travel to London, Scotland or anywhere else in the UK in the coming weeks, British authorities on 11 February ended mandatory COVID testing for vaccinated foreign travelers. Passengers who have not been fully vaccinated will no longer need to self-isolate but will still need to test negative two days before entry and undergo PCR tests after arrival. However, tourists must always fill out an online “Passenger Locator Form” 48 hours prior to departure.

from the end of January,Wearing a mask is no longer legally mandatory, teleworking is no longer officially recommended and health passes are no longer applied for entry to nightclubs and some large gatherings.

Before talking about the restrictions associated with the pandemic, it should be noted that the principle of freedom of movement between France and the United Kingdom no longer exists since December 31, 2020, the United Kingdom’s ‘European Union’ exit date. However, tourist stay of less than 6 months is exempted from visa.

Considered by France as an “orange” country, that is, where the virus is actively circulating, but in controlled proportions and without the spread of worrying forms, the United Kingdom is therefore not one of the “red” countries. Strongly advised not to go where it is at the moment. France, on the other hand, still advises unvaccinated people not to go to the “orange” country. Following the appearance of the Omicron variant, mandatory PCR testing and isolation until results are now mandatory to enter the UK.

No curfew has been imposed in the UK since the start of the pandemic, even during the period of strict confinement. However, some restrictive measures specific to the night are in place, such as the closure of nightclubs.

It is possible to travel within each of the United Kingdom’s four countries, even if officials ask to limit travel as much as possible. These trips from one country to another are not counted by the United Kingdom authorities as an international trip. Note that wearing a mask is mandatory on all public transport, but also at airports.

Masks must also be worn in all shops and supermarkets in England. Bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas are open. Outside, gatherings of more than 30 people are prohibited, while it is possible to meet a maximum of 6 at one’s home (or more if it is only people coming from 2 households).

Officials conduct frequent checks to ensure compliance with both these measures and the quarantine. In the event of a violation, a humiliating fine is provided. Please note that all measures described in this article are subject to change and may vary somewhat depending on the countries that make up the United Kingdom. For example, Scotland has taken some specific measures, including the closure of pubs, cafes and restaurants at 10.30 pm in areas most affected by the pandemic (particularly Glasgow and Edinburgh), known as Level 2 areas.

Air France, British Airways, Air Corsica, EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet 2 Flights, Weiling Airlines, Flybe, Skytaxi. Despite the restrictive conditions surrounding travel between France and the United Kingdom, 9 airlines currently offer direct flights from France to various airports in London (mainly Heathrow, but also Gatwick or Stansted).

Before departure it is important to check whether an airline asks its passengers to meet the additional conditions of the authorities. For example, Air France indicates at the time of reservation that it will refuse boarding to anyone not wearing a surgical mask. British Airways, for its part, allows you to book your COVID test before or after booking your flights.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *