All Travel Tests Now Axed for Vaccinated Arrivals

From 4:00AM on 11th February, all testing requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals in the UK have been scrapped. And after a few false dawns, customers can feel confident their dream holidays abroad are back on the horizon…

What has the Government said? 

Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to the Academic Centre, Milton Keynes Hospital, the Prime Minister said, "We have, thanks to the tough decisions, the big calls that we made... the most open economy and society in Europe.”
“And although we have to be cautious, we are now moving through the Omicron wave, and you can see the figures are starting to get better.”
"So what we're doing on travel, to show that this country is open for business, open for travellers, you will see changes so that people arriving no longer have to take tests if they have been vaccinated, if they have been double vaccinated." 
Speaking to the House of Commons, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps added, "We are setting Britain free" and that the move will make travel "much easier" by providing certainty for passengers as well as the travel industry ahead of the summer season.

What will the remaining rules be for vaccinated travellers? 

With the requirement for a Day 2 Antigen Test now dropped, vaccinated travellers and those under the age of 18 will only need to fill out a passenger locator form before arriving in England. This welcome change will save families hundreds of pounds on the cost of overseas holidays.  

What has the travel industry said?

Co-CEO of Ocean Florida, Harry Hastings, offered this response, “After all the travel disruption of recent years, to see both PCR and Antigen testing be axed by February gives us great optimism for the year ahead. And as we move into 2022, we promise to repay our customers patience, understanding and trust in our service with personalised holiday packages that are well worth the wait.” 
Travel bosses throughout the industry have also predicted a “peak sales period”, so those looking for the very best deals may want to get ahead of the crowd and take advantage of the current new year sales. 

What about Scotland, Wales and NI?

The devolved governments of the UK have control over the travel restrictions of each nation. However, we are pleased to say that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have matched England's relaxation of travel rules just in time for the February half term holidays. 

What about the travel rules of other countries?

Holidaymakers still need to be mindful of their chosen destinations travel rules, such as the USA requiring Fit to Fly and Day 3 Antigen Tests. For more information on preparing to travel, including the full travel rules of the USA, please see our all-in-one guide.

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