The Government has changed the COVID testing rules for travellers to England from non-red list countries which is creating confusion amongst travellers. Proviris Solutions explains the latest changes and the type of Covid travel test required.

Changes to Pre-departure Test Requirements

If you’re fully vaccinated and you arrive in England after 4am, Friday 7 January you no longer need to take a COVID-19 pre-departure test before you travel to England.

Changes to Day 2 international arrivals testing

If you’re fully vaccinated and you arrive in England after 4am Sunday 9 January, you can choose to take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England. You can’t use a free NHS lateral flow kit:  you must use a Government approved private provider and a commercial LFT test that is recognised by the UK Government as meeting its specificity and sensitivity requirements.

Before you travel to England you must:

• order and pay for a Day 2 Lateral Flow Test to be taken within two days after you arrive in England
• complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours before you arrive in England.