The UK government has confirmed that, effective 04h00 (December 7), all travellers must once again have proof of either a negative PCR or lateral flow test to be permitted entry into the UK.
The test must be taken within the 48 hours before departure. The reintroduced mandate applies to all passengers over the age of 12.
Airlines are expected to check for passengers’ negative pre-departure tests along with completed passenger locator forms, and any passengers without these documents will not be allowed to board a flight to the UK.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will review these measures after three weeks (by December 28).
In addition to the pre-departure test, all arrivals are still required to take a PCR test upon arrival. The test must be taken by the end of day two, with the day of arrival treated as day zero. Travellers must isolate until they receive a negative test result.
If the result is positive, these arrivals must isolate for 10 days, with the day of the test treated as day zero.
Travellers from red-list countries such as South Africa, must quarantine in a government-approved hotel quarantine facility for 10 days from arrival.
