The British government just announced that fully vaccinated (and most under-18) travelers arriving in the United Kingdom (U.K.) from non-red-list countries will soon be able to use cheaper lateral flow tests (LFTs) instead of PCR tests to fulfill their post-arrival COVID-19 testing requirements.
The U.K.’s entry rules require that post-arrival tests be booked prior to boarding a U.K.-bound flight, and taken as soon as possible upon passengers’ arrival or a maximum of 48 hours after their entry into the country.
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The new LFT option will become available on October 24, and travelers can begin booking them from October 22, according to a government press release. The list of approved LFt testing private providers will also go live on gov.uk on October 22, including convenient testing centers located in some airports.
Not only are LFTs cheaper, but they offer faster results. Visitors will need to take a photo of their lateral flow test and send it back to their chosen provider, along with their booking reference information, for verification of their results.
Because the change will come just in time for U.K. residents returning from their half-term breaks, it was noted that NHS ‘Test and Trace’ tests cannot be used to fulfill international travel requirements.
Any individuals who test positive will need to self-isolate and take a PCR test to confirm their results.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We want to make going abroad easier and cheaper, whether you’re traveling for work or visiting friends and family. Lateral flow tests will be available later this month for those returning from half-term holidays. This change to testing is only possible thanks to the incredible progress of our vaccination program, which means we can safely open up travel as we learn to live with the virus.”
Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “Today’s rule changes will make testing on arrival simpler and cheaper for people across the country who are looking forward to well-earned breaks for this October half term. Taking away expensive mandatory PCR testing will boost the travel industry and is a major step forward in normalizing international travel and encouraging people to book holidays with confidence.”
Dr. Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “Testing, along with vaccines, remains one of our first lines of defense against COVID-19. Getting a test as early as possible on arrival, and isolation when necessary, can help control the spread of the virus and protect one another.”
