Travel Updates

Testing requirements are in place for many destinations, and also for returning to the UK. Please check the FCDO website for travel advice and entry requirements for your chosen destination or ask our Travel Consultants for further information.

UK Entry Requirements

Everyone entering the UK must provide details of their journey and contact information by completing this mandatory passenger locator form within 48 hours of returning to the country.

From 30 November 2021, if you are fully vaccinated and returning to England, you need to:

• Book and take a PCR test before the end of day 2 after you arrive in England (lateral flow tests are no longer accepted)
• You must self-isolate until you receive the results of your PCR test

These rules also apply to those who are under 18 and resident in the UK or one of the countries with an approved vaccination programme. Children aged 4 and under do not need to take a test.

If you are not fully vaccinated:

• Take a Covid-19 test within 3 days prior to travelling England
• Book and pay for a day 2 and day 8 PCR tests to be taken after arrival in England
• You must quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
• If resident in England, you may be able to leave quarantine early through the Test to Release scheme by taking an additional test on day 5

If you are returning Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please refer to the relevant Government websites for further information.

Our team have personally used the following providers, all of whom are Government approved, and received a good reliable service:

Collinson
Provide all testing services for travel, including Fit to Fly with a 3-hour express option, with locations at airports, St Pancras and O2 Arena. Tests conducted by medical professionals.

(Med)24
A healthcare provider with an in person COVID-19 testing at a clinic in Paddington, London with 24-hour results as standard, and a 4-hour express option. Testing options include Fit to Fly, and day 2, day 8 and day 5 (test & release). A self-swabbing courier option is also available for those unable to get to Paddington but living within London.

Qured
Provide home test kits. Our team have used these tests for entering the UK whereby the test is purchased and delivered before travel and a video call observing the test is conducted before return to the UK.

Wren Healthcare
Provide most testing services, except for testing before return to UK. Testing can be in clinic or home visits. Clinic locations are primarily in the South East. Our team have used their services for pre-departure Fit to Fly testing at their Chiswick, Crawley and Gatwick clinics.

 

Some of these providers also offer discounts if you have flights booked with certain airlines.

 

In addition, Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy provide PCR tests for Fit to Fly certificates.

 

For guidance on COVID-19 or returning to the UK from an infected area we recommend visiting Public Health England or calling 111. For further information on what to expect when travelling we recommend checking your airline(s) or hotel(s) website.