In this article, we’ve covered all the basics that you need to know before your travel so that you don’t have to face any waste of time or resources when reaching the UK.
The United Kingdom has dealt with some of the worst consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in the last year. The cases rose to such a level that the British government had to isolate the entire nation from the rest of the world by implementing strict travel bans and restrictions in movement. Even though the number of cases has significantly reduced and there are vaccines to help people avoid getting infected, most countries are still exercising caution so as to avoid any mutations from spreading amongst their people. If you’re planning on traveling from the USA to the UK these days, there are a few things that you must know before you depart so that you don’t have to face any unexpected inconveniences throughout the trip.
Travel rules keep on changing and so do the requirements for quarantining, vaccinations, treatments, and so on. Since your local laws might differ from current laws prevailing in the UK, it’s only natural to be uninformed enough to make mistakes. Unfortunately, though, any mistake made while abroad, away from support at home, can prove to be quite troublesome. This is why we’ll be discussing the most important points you need to be aware of if you’re traveling to the UK or US; the chances of you facing any problems will be minimized. So without further delay, let’s get to it and find out all you need to know before your trip
1. New rules
If you’re fully vaccinated before you travel then the good news for you is that you don’t have to take a pre-departure Covid test; this rule applies to the residents of many countries including the USA. However, you’ll have to produce proof of being fully vaccinated before you travel so that the authorities can verify your claims. These new rules are applicable to both 18+ travelers and the under 18 travelers as well. However, under 18 travelers won’t have to take the pre-departure test even if they’re not fully vaccinated; that’s a sigh of relief for many students and younger tourists.
Upon arrival in the UK, the travelers will have to fill in passenger locator forms, which are mandatory. They’ll also have to undergo another test two days after their arrival which we’ll be discussing further in detail due to its significance in the present scenario. Overall, the rules have been significantly relaxed for travelers as the situation is getting under control; it’s expected that the rules will be further relaxed if things go smoothly after the wave of vaccinations.
2. Red list and testing changes
The infamous red list was a list that regulated the entry of foreign nationals into the UK. The only travelers who were allowed into the UK were UK/Irish nationals or UK residents; even then, they were required to quarantine for ten days. This was especially troublesome as expenses of the quarantine period where the traveler’s responsibility rather than the government’s, even though they were quarantined inside government-approved hotels. Thankfully, as of now, all the countries have been removed from the red list; but there’s no guarantee that there won’t be any more additions to it in the future if the situation gets worse in any place in the world.
A green list is still being maintained and any travelers from these countries who’ve been properly vaccinated will not need to have a pre-departure test done. However, all travelers will now have to book and pay for a day 2 later flow test if they’re visiting any part of England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Not only is this newer testing procedure cheaper than a PCR test, but it’s also more convenient for people to get done. The only catch here is that the free NHS lateral flow test kits are restricted to only be done by private testing laboratories.
3. Vaccination status
We just discussed how vaccination is integral if you’re traveling to the UK as it’ll help you skip a number of procedures that would otherwise consume a lot of your time. If you’re under 18 then you can still get away with not being vaccinated, the rules are comparatively more relaxed for people in this age group; however, if you’re 18+ and still not vaccinated then it can be a bit of an issue. It’s imperative that you isolate yourself in your house for at least ten days. Once you arrive in the UK, you’ll also be required to take a lateral flow/antigen test or a PCR test three days before you even enter the UK.
You’ll then have to take a test again on/before day 2 and then again on/after day 8 after your return. If this all sounds too complicated then it’s so because the pandemic is, which is why it’s highly advised you get vaccinated before you travel; you’ll otherwise have to jump through a lot of hoops and hurdles just to stay in the UK. If the purpose of your visit is short and you only need to be there for less than a week, undergoing a 10-day quarantine will be a sheer waste of your time and proper vaccination can help you avoid all this hassle.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
These are some of the most important things that you must know before you decide to travel to the UK from the USA. The travel rules and quarantine procedures are quite rigorous, but, in this environment of constant threat from a pathogen, it’s justifiable for governments to be a little cautious. In this article, we’ve covered all the basics that you need to know before your travel so that you don’t have to face any waste of time or resources when reaching the UK. These are only the latest developments in rules and regulations related to travel in the COVID era; any of these can change at any point in time, which is why you should also stay updated so that you’re not caught by surprise when you travel. Make sure to always have emergency masks and medicine while you travel to provide for yourself in unfavorable situations.
Main photo by louis magnotti on Unsplash
