The UK removes Covid-19 travel restrictions

The Transport Secretary’s announcement that the UK government will remove the remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions for all passengers is welcome news for travellers and the aviation and travel industry as they continue taking steps towards recovery.

This move reflects the government’s decisions outlined in the Living with COVID strategy, as well as the effectiveness of the UK’s vaccination and booster rollout, which has seen 86 % of the population receive a second dose and 67 % receive a booster or third dose.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said that the situation will continue to be monitored to track potential new variants and a reserve of measures will be available if needed to quickly respond to any changes to keep the population safe.

All COVID-19 travel restrictions, including the passenger locator form (PLF) for arrivals into the UK and all testing for travellers who do not qualify as vaccinated, will be withdrawn at 4 a.m. on Friday, March 18. As a result of this adjustment, unvaccinated travellers will no longer be required to complete a pre-departure test and a day 2 post-arrival test.

While there will be no border health checks on arrival in the UK starting on 18 March, other countries are at various phases of the epidemic and many still require travellers to comply with regulations.

All travellers are advised to check GOV.UK travel guidance and keep up to date with travel advice to other countries.

For more information please see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae