All Covid testing requirements will be removed for fully vaccinated travellers to the UK from next month.
From 4am on 11 February only a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) will be required, with no need to take a day-two Covid test.
Rules for unvaccinated travellers are also being loosened. From 11 February, unvaccinated arrivals will need a pre-departure test before arriving in the UK and a PCR test on or before day two after arriving in England.
Children aged 12-15 in England will be able to prove their vaccination status or proof of prior infection via a digital NHS COVID Pass from 3 February for outbound travel.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “Although we have to be cautious, we are now moving through the Omicron wave, and you can see the figures are starting to get better.
“So what we’re doing on travel, to show that this country is open for business, open for travellers, you will see changes so that people arriving no longer have to take tests if they have been vaccinated, if they have been double vaccinated.”
The decision has been welcomed across the travel industry. Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound said: “The removal of testing for vaccinated international arrivals shows that England is truly open for business and for the first time in almost two years, inbound tourism businesses can start trading their way to recovery.
“Additionally, we hope to see the aligning of international restrictions across all four nations in the coming days. International visitors often visit more than one country when here in the UK, which is why a four nations approach to re-opening is very important.
“However, we can’t be complacent. The UK’s inbound tourism industry has been decimated for almost two years and we are not out of the woods yet. Inbound tourism businesses are counting the cost of survival with rising debt and staffing issues. To bolster recovery, we need Government to put in place targeted support which will bolster demand and encourage international visitors to spend their money on a holiday to the UK, rather than elsewhere.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson added: “The removal of all testing for vaccinated passengers is the final step in moving towards frictionless air travel, allowing passengers to reconnect with loved ones and business colleagues. It restores customer confidence and demand will be boosted in a critical booking window for the travel industry.
“We have demonstrated that international travel can operate safely, taking full advantage of our world-leading vaccine rollout.”
This announcement comes ahead of the end of the Plan B restrictions on 26 January which currently mandate working from home where possible, wearing face coverings in indoor venues and requiring venues to check delegates’ NHS Covid passes.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
