What you need to know before travelling back to the UK.

[British Consular Team]

When travelling to UK from abroad everyone, including UK nationals returning home, must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken less than 72 hours before departure. If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption) your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival.

 

You are responsible for organising your own COVID-19 test, in line with UK government testing requirements. You should contact Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health for information on testing facilities

 

When you enter England from abroad (except Ireland), you must follow the new requirements for quarantining and taking additional COVID-19 tests. Before travelling, you must provide your journey and contact details For anyone travelling from or transiting a country on the banned travel list you will be required to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days. If you fly direct from Thailand, or via a country not on the banned travel list you will be required to quarantine in the place you’re staying for 10 days. You may be able to end quarantine at home early through the ‘Test to ‘Release’ scheme if you pay for a private coronavirus (COVID-19) test.

 

More information can be found on our Rules for entering the UK, Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England and How to quarantine when you arrive in England websites.

 

Different rules apply for arrivals into England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

This information is updated regularly, we would therefore suggest you regularly check for any changes and consider subscribing to these pages so that you alerted to any updates.

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Useful info, thanks for sharing. 

 

 

 

 

Off topic post removed

[Nurseynutcase]

This is a bit unclear to say the least.  Reading from the BE website I am informed I need to fill in a locator form for where I am staying and have to pre-book and pay for 2 tests.  But the post above is talking about only paying for one test if you want to get out of jail early.

So which is it?

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, Nurseynutcase said:

This is a bit unclear to say the least.  Reading from the BE website I am informed I need to fill in a locator form for where I am staying and have to pre-book and pay for 2 tests.  But the post above is talking about only paying for one test if you want to get out of jail early.

So which is it?

My understanding is that the 2 tests apply to hotel quarantine. The test to release arrangement is for those in quarantine at their residence, no get out of jail for those in hotels.

Quite open to any other clarification.

[madmen]

Plenty of hoops for nationals 

[Chill27]

Does anyone know the type of test required, PCR?

Also is a certificate printed in English also required and would a regional hospital such as Kalasin, be able to provide?

72 hours isn't too long to rearrange everything if you don't get it right the first time!

I'm hoping to fly back to the UK (with my Thai girlfriend for the first time) in the next few weeks.

 

[Flyfish]

6 minutes ago, Chill27 said:

Does anyone know the type of test required, PCR?

Also is a certificate printed in English also required and would a regional hospital such as Kalasin, be able to provide?

72 hours isn't too long to rearrange everything if you don't get it right the first time!

I'm hoping to fly back to the UK (with my Thai girlfriend for the first time) in the next few weeks.

 

The 2 self administered tests are required for home quarantine. They have to be booked and payed for online,48 hours before U.K. arrival.  Go to www.GOV.UK 

for full details 

[Rinrada]

The "get out of jail card" is available in self Isolating Hotels. Many in London are offering 5 and 10 day packages...including airport pickup..meals and booze...check the internet..including a free 6th night while you wait for your results...@ 650 quid..

[Chill27]

1 hour ago, Flyfish said:

The 2 self administered tests are required for home quarantine. They have to be booked and payed for online,48 hours before U.K. arrival.  Go to www.GOV.UK 

for full details 

Thanks, but I was more asking about the test before leaving Thailand

[KhaoYai]

6 hours ago, Nurseynutcase said:

This is a bit unclear to say the least.  Reading from the BE website I am informed I need to fill in a locator form for where I am staying and have to pre-book and pay for 2 tests.  But the post above is talking about only paying for one test if you want to get out of jail early.

So which is it?

 

You will have to have one test before you fly and pre book 2 tests that will be done whilst you are in self isolation.  The 2 tests can be booked here:

 

https://quarantinehotelbookings.ctmportal.co.uk/

 

My understanding is that the 2 pre-booked tests are posted to you and are self administered. To end self isolation early you would need an additional private PCR test as per the instructions here:

 

https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/ending-self-isolation-early-through-test-to-release

Edited February 23, 2021 by KhaoYai

[KhaoYai]

2 hours ago, Rinrada said:

The "get out of jail card" is available in self Isolating Hotels. Many in London are offering 5 and 10 day packages...including airport pickup..meals and booze...check the internet..including a free 6th night while you wait for your results...@ 650 quid..

Are you sure about that?  It seems a bit strange because there is no requirement to stay at a hotel if you are self isolating providing you have either travelled directly from Thailand and not either visited or transited through a red zone country during the 10 days before you fly.

 

Just a reminder as many of us use Emirates and Etihad - they fly through their hubs in the UAE. The UAE is currently in the red zone so if you fly with them you will have to quarantine at a hotel.

[Rinrada]

6 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Are you sure about that?  It seems a bit strange because there is no requirement to stay at a hotel if you are self isolating providing you have either travelled directly from Thailand and not either visited or transited through a red zone country during the 10 days before you fly.

 

Just a reminder as many of us use Emirates and Etihad - they fly through their hubs in the UAE. The UAE is currently in the red zone so if you fly with them you will have to quarantine at a hotel.

 

[Rinrada]

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel    You arrive in England on Monday. Tuesday will be your first full day of quarantine. You can take a test no earlier than the 5th day after arrival in England - Saturday. You must continue to quarantine while you await your test result.   also.fio....https://www.citystayuk.com/quarantine-apartments/

 

[KhaoYai]

6 hours ago, Rinrada said:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel    You arrive in England on Monday. Tuesday will be your first full day of quarantine. You can take a test no earlier than the 5th day after arrival in England - Saturday. You must continue to quarantine while you await your test result.   also.fio....https://www.citystayuk.com/quarantine-apartments/

 

The quarantine does not have to be in a hotel. There is no reference to hotels in the link you provided and indeed in the link it says:

 

'You will have to pay the private test provider for your test. You will need to book an individual test for each person opting into Test to Release, including children.

The test provider will either send a test to your address or you can attend a testing site. You may leave your house to post your test or to travel directly to and from the testing site. You should follow safer travel guidance and avoid public transport if possible.'

 

So I think that provided you have not been in a red zone country in the 10 days before you flew, you can 'home' quarantine.

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2021 by KhaoYai

[KhaoYai]

15 hours ago, Chill27 said:

Thanks, but I was more asking about the test before leaving Thailand

Yes, that test is a PCR.

[Chill27]

13 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Yes, that test is a PCR.

Thanks

[Neeranam]

On 2/22/2021 at 1:37 PM, British Consular Team said:

When you enter England from abroad (except Ireland)

What does this mean? Do you mean Irish people entering England are exempt?

Does Scotland have the same requirements as England?

 

[BostonRob2]

They left off the two most important bits of info: 

 

It's bloomin' freezing and Boris is still in charge.

[Chill27]

210 quid for a couple of nose swabs is an obsolete con. It's a disgrace that companies are allowed to take advantage of this terrible situation by fleecing people in this way !

It will cost me and the GF 420 pounds, almost as much as the single airfare.

[richard_smith237]

14 minutes ago, Chill27 said:

210 quid for a couple of nose swabs is an obsolete con. It's a disgrace that companies are allowed to take advantage of this terrible situation by fleecing people in this way !

It will cost me and the GF 420 pounds, almost as much as the single airfare.

 

Mahidol & Medconsult Asia do the Covid-19 RT PCR test for THB 2600 (£62)... 

 

https://www.medconsultasia.com

 

https://www.thaitravelclinic.com/FrontNews/covid19-med-certificate-en-2.html

 

 

[richard_smith237]

On 2/26/2021 at 7:50 AM, Neeranam said:

On 2/22/2021 at 9:37 AM, British Consular Team said:

When you enter England from abroad (except Ireland)

What does this mean? Do you mean Irish people entering England are exempt?

Does Scotland have the same requirements as England?

 

Technically, Ireland is abroad, its as much abroad as France or Spain is etc...

 

But, for the purposes of travel during Covid-19 Ireland has been classified along with Scotland and Wales, no excess restrictions in place when travelling from Ireland into England. 

 

When travelling into England from any of the countries on the banned list people will need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.

 

When travelling into Scotland from any country (other than a Ireland and GB nations) people need to quarantine. 

The loop hole - if travelling from a country not on the banned list, travelling into the UK and then taking an onward flight or travel into Scotland from England or Ireland. 

 

If quarantining at home, a person must do so for 10 days or arranges to take a Covid-19 PCR home test (courier the test kit) and can apply for ‘early release’ from home quarantine. 

[Rinrada]

On 2/26/2021 at 11:50 AM, Neeranam said:

What does this mean? Do you mean Irish people entering England are exempt?

Does Scotland have the same requirements as England?

 

Ireland is part of the CTA...Common Travel Area so Irish passport holders come under and have the same "authorisation".... "rights" as the uk Nations (Scotland,England,Northern Ireland and Wales).as well as the ..Isle of Man and the Balliwicks. plus a few others.. However if Flying in from Thailand and Not via a red stop/transit...then you still have to self Isolate either at home or in a packaged hotel..however...it varies between the "home "Nations"...check them out...changes almost on a daily basis..

[jojothai]

On 2/22/2021 at 1:37 PM, British Consular Team said:

More information can be found on our Rules for entering the UK, Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England and How to quarantine when you arrive in England websites.

 

Are there no provisions for british citizens getting the vaccination if you return to UK.
Just go to quarantine. Is it not shortsighted.
Are british citizens from abroad not allowed to get it in the UK. What is the government policy?
They are giving vaccinations to foreigners in the UK.

We have no way of knowing whether we will get anything here,

and for at high risk people that's going be a seriously bad situation to be in.
If many people get the vaccine. We do not know if it still transmits.
Therefore if things start to open up, we become more at risk if we cannot get the vaccine.
Thats not an acceptable situation to be in.

Can you please  query and advise if there is any consideration being given in the UK to this.
If i cannot get the vaccine here then i have no choice but to go back to uk.

[Chill27]

17 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Mahidol & Medconsult Asia do the Covid-19 RT PCR test for THB 2600 (£62)... 

 

https://www.medconsultasia.com

 

https://www.thaitravelclinic.com/FrontNews/covid19-med-certificate-en-2.html

 

 

Thank you, yes and 62 pounds is fair enough for the tests in Thailand.

It's the 210 pounds each for the home quarantine tests in the UK that I think is a rip off.

 544 pounds all up in Covid Tests for two people!

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Chill27 said:

Thank you, yes and 62 pounds is fair enough for the tests in Thailand.

It's the 210 pounds each for the home quarantine tests in the UK that I think is a rip off.

 544 pounds all up in Covid Tests for two people!

 

Yep - the UK is pricer... 

 

Mine was £190 for PCR test and Fit to Fly cert. 

Test kit posted, self administered, then driven (by myself) to the lab / hospital. 

(Midlands health https://midlandhealth.co.uk) 

 

[vinny41]

For Travelling back to the UK the cost of £210 is for 2 tests for each person

Everyone must book a travel test package – this costs £210. You must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 for variant surveillance and a test on or after day 8 to check that you do not have COVID-19.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england

[Chill27]

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Yep - the UK is pricer... 

 

Mine was £190 for PCR test and Fit to Fly cert. 

Test kit posted, self administered, then driven (by myself) to the lab / hospital. 

(Midlands health https://midlandhealth.co.uk) 

 

Thanks for that information, it kind of explains why they are charging 210 pounds for the two home tests, when one PCR test(+cert) is 190 !

[sammieuk1]

Stay there we don't want infected unvaccinated Thais here oh! and double the price ????

[KhaoYai]

58 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Mahidol & Medconsult Asia do the Covid-19 RT PCR test for THB 2600 (£62)... 

I believe the 2 tests that Chill27 is refering to are the tests that are required when in UK quarantine.  The test at £62 available in Thailand is a very good price for the test before you fly but no use when in the UK.

[sandyf]

On 2/23/2021 at 2:46 PM, Rinrada said:

The "get out of jail card" is available in self Isolating Hotels. Many in London are offering 5 and 10 day packages...including airport pickup..meals and booze...check the internet..including a free 6th night while you wait for your results...@ 650 quid..

I do not know what you mean by self isolating hotels, I was referring to the 10 days in a quarantine hotel and early release is not possible.

 

Ending quarantine early

You will not be able to end your managed quarantine early through the Test to Release scheme.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england