Travel to the UK during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go
Editor’s Note — Coronavirus cases are in flux across the globe. Health officials caution that staying home is the best way to stem transmission until you’re fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on May 10.
The basics
The United Kingdom has seen one of the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 in the world, resulting in multiple lockdowns. Earlier in 2022, the Omicron coronavirus variant spread rapidly across the UK.
Covid restrictions have since been mostly removed across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. See more detail below.
There are currently no Covid-related restrictions on international travel to the UK.
What’s on offer
In London, the UK has one of the world’s greatest cities. But beyond the architectural marvels and nightlife of the capital, there is much to explore — the rugged peaks of the Scottish Highlands, distant Welsh lakes and the wide sweep of Cornish beaches, for starters, plus historic towns and cities such as Bath, Oxford and Harrogate.
Who can go
Anyone can enter the UK without any additional testing or quarantine requirements, regardless of vaccination status.
What are the restrictions?
There are currently no Covid-related restrictions on international travel to the UK.
Arrivals no longer need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form before arriving in the UK.
Red list countries
The UK divides destinations into “red” and “green” destinations. At present, there are no countries on the “red” list.
Previously, certain arrivals from red list countries were required to quarantine in designated hotels, but the infrastructure for hotel quarantine was “fully stood down” at the end of March 2022.
Green list countries
Any destination not on the red list is considered green — so currently all destinations are green, but some green destinations don’t currently permit nonessential travel from the UK.
Anyone — regardless of vaccination status — from green list countries can enter the UK without any additional testing or quarantine requirements.
Other developments:
If you test positive for Covid-19 while in the UK, you are not legally required to self-isolate but England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all recommend self-isolation.
What’s the Covid situation?
The UK has suffered considerably during Covid-19 and cases peaked earlier in this year following the emergence of Omicron. Cases have since fallen.
There have been over 22.3 million Covid cases and more than 177,000 deaths in the UK as of May 10. Over 73.3% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
What can visitors expect?
There are no legal Covid restrictions in England.
Venues operating with large numbers — like theaters, concert venues and nightclubs — no longer require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test.
Venues like theaters, concert venues and nightclubs no longer require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test or negative rapid lateral flow test.
There are no remaining Covid restrictions in Scotland.
Scottish venues like theaters, concert venues and nightclubs no longer require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test or negative rapid lateral flow test.
People in Scotland must show they’ve had a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated if their last vaccine dose was more than four months ago.
There are no legal Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland.
Venues like theaters, concert venues and nightclubs no longer require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test or negative rapid lateral flow test.
Useful links
Our recent coverage
CNN’s Julia Buckley and Francesca Street contributed to this report
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Published for: Ipodifier
