Covid Test for U.K. arrivals from Tue 7 Dec

[PoshinDevon]

U.K. Health Secretary announced that all arrivals in the U.K. from 0400hrs on Tue 7 Dec will be required to submit a negative Covid test prior to arrival.

Test will be a lateral flow or PCR test, yet to be confirmed.

Source: BBC News.

Nigeria being added to red list due to Omicron variant spread in the country.

[13roman58]

The tests are a total waste of time ,I have had 2 and both were someone waving a wand around the air near my nose, then given the all clear.

[PoshinDevon]

The tests are a total waste of time ,I have had 2 and both were someone waving a wand around the air near my nose, then given the all clear.

Likely it will be a test that will need some form of official documented verification. No details of whether it’s to be a lateral flow test or PCR. At present travellers to U.K. from non red list countries need a day 2 PCR test after arrival. After each day 2 test you must self isolate at home until results received - could be up to 48hrs later. Tests are tightly controlled and checks are made to ensure compliance, with heavy fines for those who break the rules.

Having a test prior to actually travelling to the U.K. along with the day 2 test after arrival can only help. This recommendation was put forward by U.K. scientists as being the sensible way forward.

Doing nothing is not an option.

[come_on_aylin]

Just received this update from uk government :

In light of emerging evidence on the Omicron variant, from 4am on Tuesday 7 December anyone aged 12 and above wishing to travel to the UK will need to show a negative pre-departure test (LFD or PCR) as close as possible to departure and not more than 48 hours before to slow the importation of the new variant.

Airlines will be required to check for pre-departure tests alongside a completed passenger locator form, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result. Given the reduced incubation period of the Omicron variant, passengers are advised to take the pre-departure test as close as possible to their scheduled departure to the UK and no earlier than 48 hours before travelling.

Source https://www.gov.uk/government/news/test ... mmediately

[war horse]

I am flying into Paphos in just over a weeks time, am l correct that l need a PCR before we fly, another at Paphos airport, an Antigen test at the trnc border, then as we're there for a month will have to get an Antigen test after 14 days, the a PCR before we fly back and another within 2 days of arrival??? Really not sure thst l want to do all this for a Christmas break!

[come_on_aylin]

I don't know what the entry requirements for ROC but the Notam regarding entry to TRNC is published here, worth bookmarking.
http://bub.gov.ct.tr/DA%C4%B0RE-VE-KURU ... ILIK-NOTAM

You just need to find the current colour of your country of origin and then read the rules that apply to it - UK is currently orange (it will count as UK if you are not staying in ROC en route). It seems to be published on a weekly basis.

The requirement of having a test on arriving in TRNC was removed in favour of having a negative PCR test on boarding the aircraft/ship, due to the delays caused by testing at Ercan, I believe.

Unfortunately, everything is likely to change in the next few weeks. My children are due to come out for first time in 2 years but I fear that the restrictions returning to UK are most likely to put an end to that. The next official announcement in UK is only a few days before they are due to travel.

[Soner]

I am flying into Paphos in just over a weeks time, am l correct that l need a PCR before we fly, another at Paphos airport, an Antigen test at the trnc border, then as we're there for a month will have to get an Antigen test after 14 days, the a PCR before we fly back and another within 2 days of arrival??? Really not sure thst l want to do all this for a Christmas break!

That all sounds correct to me. Many have done it and not regretted. However, there are risks in travelling and possibilities of lockdowns to consider. Stay Safe whatever your decision.

[war horse]

Thanks, glad l'm correct, but yes getting locked in is a worrying thought!

[PoshinDevon]

Just arrived back in U.K. - Heathrow.

Check in at Ercan was fine. For U.K. double vaccinated printed docs were checked. Proof of double vaccination, proof of day 2 PCR booked -make sure your paperwork either shows an invoice/price paid plus booking info and of course completed U.K. Govt passenger location form. Flight left 15 mins early.

Transit at Istanbul for Heathrow flight. Very strict security checks at departure gate, to include all documentation plus passports scrutinised.

From this Tuesday at 0400hrs in addition to the above vaccinated arrivals will require proof of a documented pre departure PCR test.

Flight landed in time.

For U.K. nationals and nationals of approx 6 other countries (Canada, USA, Iceland etc) the queue was short. Both manned passport control and e gates in use. We used e gates. No problems. The queue for other nationals including EU was quite long.

The only downside was T2 and T3 at Heathrow are looking so very tired. Istanbul of course is huge but also so much better.

Temp is a bracing 5C.

[Mollie the cat]

U.K. Health Secretary announced that all arrivals in the U.K. from 0400hrs on Tue 7 Dec will be required to submit a negative Covid test prior to arrival.

Test will be a lateral flow or PCR test, yet to be confirmed.

Source: BBC News.

Nigeria being added to red list due to Omicron variant spread in the country.

What am I missing, I thought you had to do that anyway? As in a PCR test before you flew.

[waddo]

Am I correct in assuming that the UK still does not accept proof of any vaccinations administered in the TRNC, so I would look forward to 10 days quarantine at my own cost in one of the exclusive 5 star hotels?

[Mollie the cat]

As I understand it if you are fully vaccinated (here) you must self isolate at home for 10 days unless you have the 5 day release test.

[PoshinDevon]

Prior to the recent announcement there was no requirement for fully vaccinated to have a Covid test PRIOR to travel.

We are fully vaccinated (In the U.K.) and returned yesterday. Up until a couple of weeks ago the requirement was for a day 2 lateral flow test after arrival in the U.K. Cost £19 each. We duly booked this test. However; this then changed and the requirement was for a day 2 PCR test. We had to then book this test at a cost of £69 each. Of course there is no refund for the earlier booked lateral flow test! We went to a test centre this morning and had the test and are now self isolating at home until we receive the results. Hopefully negative!

A few days ago the U.K. government announced that a Covid test will now be required for fully vaccinated PRIOR to return to the U.K. Effective from 4am Tues 7 Dec.

[Mollie the cat]

Prior to the recent announcement there was no requirement for fully vaccinated to have a Covid test PRIOR to travel.

We are fully vaccinated (In the U.K.) and returned yesterday. Up until a couple of weeks ago the requirement was for a day 2 lateral flow test after arrival in the U.K. Cost £19 each. We duly booked this test. However; this then changed and the requirement was for a day 2 PCR test. We had to then book this test at a cost of £69 each. Of course there is no refund for the earlier booked lateral flow test! We went to a test centre this morning and had the test and are now self isolating at home until we receive the results. Hopefully negative!

A few days ago the U.K. government announced that a Covid test will now be required for fully vaccinated PRIOR to return to the U.K. Effective from 4am Tues 7 Dec.

Of course you are right, but I am guessing that most people who leave from here have NOT been vaccinated in the UK therefore even before this new rule you did need a PCR test prior to travel.

[waddo]

So what if you don't have a "Home" in the UK? No family or relatives to stay with either?

[PoshinDevon]

Prior to the recent announcement there was no requirement for fully vaccinated to have a Covid test PRIOR to travel.

We are fully vaccinated (In the U.K.) and returned yesterday. Up until a couple of weeks ago the requirement was for a day 2 lateral flow test after arrival in the U.K. Cost £19 each. We duly booked this test. However; this then changed and the requirement was for a day 2 PCR test. We had to then book this test at a cost of £69 each. Of course there is no refund for the earlier booked lateral flow test! We went to a test centre this morning and had the test and are now self isolating at home until we receive the results. Hopefully negative!

A few days ago the U.K. government announced that a Covid test will now be required for fully vaccinated PRIOR to return to the U.K. Effective from 4am Tues 7 Dec.

Of course you are right, but I am guessing that most people who leave from here have NOT been vaccinated in the UK therefore even before this new rule you did need a PCR test prior to travel.

When we arrived in September this year there were an increasing number of people returning to the TRNC. A small number were on holiday, but we met many who had been away for up to 2 years returning to their property. Most of those we spoke to were “swallows”, like ourselves. Hence the change in rules as of today would have an impact on them.

Of course those vaccinated in the TRNC are still not able to have their vaccinations recognised by the U.K. and this is of course completely unfair. Hopefully this will change soon.