Vaccinated and unvaccinated travel to the UK
Everything You Need to Know about vaccinated & unvaccinated arrivals in the uK
As required by the UK Government, everyone arriving in England from a non-red list country must take a Day 2 PCR test or Lateral Flow test after arrival.
If you have been fully vaccinated in one of the UK Government’s eligible vaccination countries you are required to only take this Day 2 PCR test or Lateral Flow test.
However, unvaccinated arrivals or travellers who do not qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, are required to take PCR tests on both Day 2 and Day 8.
Please note the day you arrive in England is treated as Day 0.
fully vaccinated uK arrivals
Fully vaccinated UK arrivals are required to test on or before Day 2.
At-Home Test on Day 2 of Arrival
As required by the UK Government, everyone arriving in England from a non-red list country must take a PCR test or Lateral Flow test on arrival day 2. You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest.
If you have been fully vaccinated in one of the UK Government’s eligible vaccination you are required to only take a Day 2 PCR test or a Lateral Flow test.
You will need to enter your COVID-19 test booking reference number on your passenger locator form.
If you’re in England for less than 2 days, you still need to book and pay for a Day 2 COVID-19 test. You must quarantine until you receive a negative day 2 COVID-19 PCR test, or until you leave England, whichever is sooner.
Please note the day you arrive in England is treated as Day 0.
Unvaccinated uK arrivals
Unvaccinated UK arrivals must take a PCR Day 2 and Day 8 test, with the option of a PCR Day 5 Test to Release.
Mandatory Day 2 and Day 8 Test on Arrival
As required by the UK Government, everyone arriving in England from a non-red list country must take a PCR test on arrival. Unvaccinated arrivals or travellers who do not qualify under the fully vaccinated rules are required to quarantine for 10 days, and take two PCR COVID-19 tests on or before Day 2 and on or after Day 8.
If you are in England for less than 10 days, you need to quarantine for the time you are here. You need to book day 2 and day 8 PCR tests. You only need to take the tests if you are still in England on those days.
The day you arrive in England is treated as Day 0.
You will need to purchase your tests before arriving in England, in order to add your booking reference number to your Passenger Locator Form.
As part of the Test to Release scheme, travellers can take an additional PCR test on Day 5 to reduce the mandatory quarantine period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fully vaccinated means that you have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England. The day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days.
The vaccine must be administered under either:
- the UK vaccination programme
- an overseas vaccination programme with an approved proof of vaccination for travel to the UK
Unvaccinated from non-red list countries: You will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test, and two PCR tests on return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). Optionally you can take a test on Day 5 (Test to Release) to leave quarantine early.
Vaccinated from non-red list countries: You will not need to quarantine on return, and you do not need to take a pre-departure test. You are required to take a PCR test on or before Day 2 of your return to the UK.
Yes, the Day 2 test is mandatory for anyone travelling into the UK from abroad. Failure to take the tests can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
You can take your Day 2 test on or before day 2 following your arrival in England.
If you are coming from a non red list country and have been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, you must book and pay for a Day 2 test which must be taken on or before day 2 following your arrival in England. Quarantine is not required when arriving to the UK while fully vaccinated.
If you are coming from a non red list country and have not been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU, USA, or other accepted vaccination program at least 14 days ago, you must take a COVID-19 test and get a negative result during the 72 hours before you travel. You must also book and pay for a Day 2 and Day 8 test package, which includes COVID-19 tests to be taken on or before Day 2 and on or after Day 8 of your quarantine.
If you are coming from a red list country regardless of vaccination status, you must pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests upon return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). You will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish national or you have residence rights in the UK.
All arrivals must complete a passenger locator form with details of where you will quarantine when you arrive and the Day 2 test package booking reference number (ADNTP#).
From 11 January in England, people who receive positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be required to self-isolate immediately and won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high across the UK.
Click here or visit www.gov.uk for further rules that apply to you.
How Day 2 Testing Works
Order Day 2 Test or book to visit a testing location
Order your Covid-19 Test. You will receive a booking reference number and your respective kit will be sent to the delivery address entered at checkout. Alternatively, book a time to have your sample taking at your nearest testing location.
Activate Your Kit
Before sending your sample kit to the laboratory, the activation procedure must be completed for your test to be valid and for a sample to be tested when received in our laboratory. Activate your kit from home or when you visit one of our Testing Centres.
Take Sample
On Day 2 or 8 either perform a self-swab at home or have your sample taken at your nearest Testing Location.
Your Result Certificate
Your result certificate will be issued to you online within 48-72 hours of receiving your sample at our lab. Please note results will not be issued until your test kit has been activated online.
