UK travel news: pre-departure testing removed for vaccinated travellers

Travelling to the UK? Eligible fully vaccinated travellers and those under 18 will no longer need to take a pre-departure test or self-isolate on arrival starting from Friday January 7.

You will also be able to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR on or before day two of your arrival. Lateral flow tests for travel can be booked from Friday January 7 and taken on arrival by the end of day two. PCR tests will still be considered valid.

Anyone who receives a positive result on their lateral flow test will need to self-isolate immediately and order a NHS PCR test from gov.uk.

Everyone travelling to the UK will still be required to wear a mask, wash hands regularly and take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. Lateral flow tests for international travel must be purchased from a private provider.

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If you are not vaccinated, you must continue to take the pre-departure test, PCR test on or before day two, on or after day eight, and self-isolate for ten days.

Test to release is another option for unvaccinated people who want to shorten their self-isolation period, with travellers able to purchase a day five test; if the results of that test and the previous day-two test are negative, you can end your quarantine.

There are currently no countries on the UK travel red list, including the UAE.

In November, the UK updated its travelling protocols so all UAE residents and citizens travelling to the UK needed to complete a PCR test on arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.

Travel protocols change quickly, so be sure to double check the most up to date requirements before you fly.

UAE citizens who are not vaccinated are banned from travelling. Click here to learn more.