When entering the UK, what do the 10-day isolation measures mean, and do they apply to me?

The UK government have changed the quarantine rules regarding those who arrive in England. The testing and quarantine rules now depend on whether you are arriving from a “red list” country, and whether you are fully vaccinated.

What you need to do depends on which country you have been in for the 10 days prior to your arrival. The red list will be updated every 3 weeks following a review of the Covid-19 situation in all countries. It is important that you check the list prior to your travel to the UK, and read the guidance regarding the steps that you should take before and after entering the UK.

All arrivals to England (arrivals to other parts of the UK must abide by different rules) must do the following before arrival:

  1. Check the rules for the country you’re coming from or have travelled through within the past 10 days.
  2. Check whether you are fully vaccinated, and if the vaccines are ones approved by the UK – you can check this on the gov.uk website
  3. Book any COVID-19 tests or quarantine hotel packages you need for your arrival.

If you are arriving from a red list country, you will only be allowed to enter the UK if:

  • You are a British or Irish citizen or
  • You have residence rights in this country

You must do the following before entering the UK (even if you are fully vaccinated):

  1. Take a COVID-19 test in the 3 days prior to arrival in the UK – children aged 10 and under do not need to take this test.
  2. Book and pay for a day
  3. Book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests
  4. Complete a passenger locator form.

If you are arriving from a country NOT on the red list and you are fully vaccinated, you must do the following before entering the UK:

  1. Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England.
  2. Complete a passenger locator form, declare that you have been fully UK vaccinated on your passenger locator form, or are taking part or have taken part in a formally approved UK COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine, or you are under 18 and resident in the UK.
  3. Show proof of your vaccination status to your carrier (ferry, airline or train) when you travel.

If you are arriving from a country NOT on the red list and you are not fully vaccinated, you must do the following before entering the UK:

  1. Take a COVID-19 test in the 3 days prior to arrival in the UK – children aged 10 and under do not need to take this test.
  2. Book and pay for a day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England.
  3. Complete a passenger locator form.
  4. On arrival to England, you will need to quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days, and take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8.

If you are a child studying at boarding school and have arrived from a red list country, you can isolate at accommodation provided by your school. If you are not able to isolate at school provided accommodation or you are a day pupil and usually stay with a family, your parent or guardian may exceptionally be issued with a visit visa to accompany you during your quarantine.

Those who work in certain job sectors are exempt from isolating, please see gov.uk for the list of these sectors.

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