All travellers going to the UK will need pre-departure tests

Considering jetting to the UK? Be prepared to take a pre-departure PCR test because travellers from all countries, including the UAE, will now be required to take PCR COVID-tests before they embark on their journeys. The United Kingdom has announced new travel updates and restrictions as the Omicron variant spreads worldwide.

Everyone travelling to the UK who is aged 12 and above must have a mandatory pre-departure PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before travelling. The test applies to all travellers regardless of vaccination status, therefore, those who are fully vaccinated must also take the tests. The test can be a PCR or a lateral flow. The UK’s coronavirus travel updates and safety measures come into effect on December 7.

✈️TRAVEL UPDATE:
From 4am on Tuesday 7 December all passengers aged 12 + MUST take a covid test up to 2 days before departure to England.

? Can either be a PCR or a lateral flow
? Applies regardless of vaccination status
? CTA standard rules apply
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 4, 2021

Additionally, the UK has added Nigeria to its red list. Effective December 6, travellers coming from the country will need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days, according to UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid. The change comes as 21 Omicron cases in the UK were linked to recent Nigerian travel.

Travellers from other countries currently do not have to quarantine. As per the last UK coronavirus update, people only need to self-isolate until they test negative within two days of arriving.

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At the end of November, the UK government tightened COVID-19 safety measures. It was mandated that passengers now take a PCR test by the end of day two after touching down on British soil. The new measures are compulsory for anyone entering the UK, even if fully vaccinated.

The UAE has made several updates to travel and coronavirus protocols, too, following the spread of Omicron. Travellers coming from select African countries will not be accepted for travel into the United Arab Emirates as of November 29 until further notice.

The update applies to all travellers “originating from, or transiting from” Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, from Sunday December 5, a negative PCR test on the Alhosn app will only get green status for 14 day instead of the current 30 days.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) revealed the major change to the Alhosn app and green pass in December.

To keep green status, users will need a negative PCR test that is not over 14 days old. The update comes as the United Arab Emirates is taking proactive measures against the Omicron COVID variant to keep everyone safe.