A subject close to home, travelling abroad during and after t Covid restrictions. I know all too well about canceled trips, postponed trips, trying to get a refund, flight vouchers and everything in between.
I am sure it’s something we have all been touched by in our new Covid world, in one way or another.
If you’re thinking of travelling, do you know what the current rules are? Have you travelled yet? Or just put off by the different requirements and cost?
I am writing this blog based on my location, England, Great Britain and plan to touch on the most popular destination that we Brits travel to, what you need to travel there and what you need to do on your return. All information listed below is only valid as of the end of January 2022, as we all know, these rules change like the wind so do always check with the airline when you book, just in case!
Firstly, travel insurance, I think we can all agree in this Covid world, travel insurance is essential for your trip to cover cancellation, illness and everything in between. Check out the following link for up to date information on Travel Insurance with Covid Cover: Coronavirus And Travel Insurance | MoneySuperMarket to make sure you have the best cover for you and your family in case of emergencies or illness while travelling.
Next, I thought it would be helpful to confirm what is needed to enter and return from the top travel destination from the UK _ America!
The guide below only confirms what you need to know for travel and arrival into the UK before 11th February 2022 if you are fully vaccinated and travelling using a UK passport.
Travel from the UK to America: Entry if Fully Vaccinated:
| Entry Status | Open (Green) |
| Tests (Pre-departure Test at Destination) | PCR Required, Should not be older than 1 days – Known as a fit to travel test. |
| Quarantine | None |
| Tests upon arrival | Recommended to take a viral test within 3 to 5 days of arrival in the US. |
| Passenger Locator Form | Required |
When you return from the USA to the UK:
| Passenger Locator Form | Required |
| Pre-departure Test at Destination | Required |
| Self-isolation | Required until negative PCR result |
| Covid Testing | On or before Day 2 after return to UK |
When travelling to the USA, some handy tips from the .gov website are below for you that applies to all travellers
- You will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need.
- Most fully vaccinated foreign citizens can enter the USA. The US authorities will accept any COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These are the AstraZeneca, BIBP/Sinopharm, Covishield, Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac vaccines.
- Before boarding a flight to the USA, most passengers – regardless of vaccination status – are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, as mentioned in our handy table above for you. All air passengers to the USA are also required to provide contact information to their airlines before boarding. You should check with your airline before you travel for more details. Full requirements for pre-travel testing can be found on the CDC website. Children under 2 years old do not need to test.
Once you arrive in the USA, the .gov website confirms the following:
Upon arrival, fully vaccinated travellers:
- do not have to quarantine
- are recommended to take a viral test within 3 to 5 days of arrival in the US.
If you have recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days (regardless of vaccination status) you do not need to get a test 3 to 5 days after travel.
Proof of vaccination status
The USA will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior to travel. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status. The CDC website lists the forms of acceptable proof of COVID-19 status
If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year
If you’re not fully vaccinated but have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last year you still cannot enter the USA unless you meet one of the exceptions detailed on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Embassy websites. If you do have an exception to enter the US, you must present a negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months to the airline before boarding the flight.
Children and young people
Children 17 and under are exempt from the vaccination requirement. Children under 2 years old do not need to take a pre-departure test.
Next onto some good news, new rules come into effect from 11th February 2022 (remember when we said the rules keep changing) these new updates state the following:
If you arrive in England after 4am, 11 February, the following rules will apply.
Fully vaccinated – from 11 February 2022
If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you:
- will not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England or after you arrive
- will not need to quarantine when you arrive
You will need to complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England.
If you arrive in England before 4am, 11 February you must follow the current rules.
Travel rules in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales may differ so we advise that you check them before you travel/return from your holiday destination.
References:
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus (COVID-19) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)