UK ends COVID-19 testing for vaccinated arrivals and reduces testing for unvaccinated
Editors note: This story has been updated to include the newly announced date and time of when the current travel rules officially change.
Boris Johnson announced Monday that testing requirements for vaccinated arrivals to the U.K. be scrapped starting 4 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11.
The announcement follows speculation last week, as reported by TPG U.K., that a move to reduce current testing requirements in the U.K. would be imminent.
Speaking during a visit to the Academic Centre at Milton Keynes University Hospital, the prime minister 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 travelers, 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."
Related: A breakdown of the new testing rules for travelers headed to the U.K.
In addition to the rule change for vaccinated people no longer needing to take a COVID-19 test on arrival, there has also been a change to rules for the unvaccinated.
Travelers who haven't received a vaccine dose will now no longer need to take a day eight test. Though unvaccinated people will still need to take a pre-departure and day two test to prove they don't have coronavirus.
Until Feb. 11, vaccinated travelers entering the U.K. are required to take a day two test to leave self-isolation and unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days and take a day two and day eight test.
The restriction changes will be a breath of fresh air for both travelers and the airline industry, the latter of which penned an open letter to the U.K. government today calling for a rollback of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
With winter and spring break on the horizon, families could stand to save around £100 (about $135) on visits abroad, according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
The Transport Secretary will also be hoping that the changes will prompt a considerable boost to the travel and airline sectors which today also saw changes to airport slot rules that have left the pandemic-stricken industry divided.
Already, international flights booked from the U.K. this February are up 555% compared to 2021, according to aviation analytics experts at Cirium — though it's worth noting flights are still down 41% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, the U.K. itself is expected to see 7,861 flights land on its shores next month, equating to more than 1.5 million seats booked for incoming passengers, who — presuming they are fully vaccinated — will be among the first to fully take advantage of the U.K.'s relaxed testing measures.
Related: U.K. could drop predeparture COVID-19 testing restrictions for arrivals this week
In addition, the shift toward the so-called Plan, announced last week, will mean from Jan. 27, mandatory COVID-19 passports for large events and venues such as nightclubs will no longer be officially required — though businesses can still choose to use the National Health Service pass if they wish.
Face masks will also no longer be a mandatory requirement anywhere in England. However, it will still be advised that people wear face coverings when in enclosed or crowded spaces. Self-isolation for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 will still be a requirement.
The U.K.'s decision to scrap testing appears, while separate from the issue of travel bans, to be somewhat in line with the World Health Organization's own assessments last week that said it's time for countries to lift or at least loosen their existing travel restrictions related to COVID-19.
WHO's International Health Regulations Emergency Committee said during their most recent meeting that coronavirus-related travel bans are "are not effective in suppressing international spread," and cited the most recent surge as proof, VOA News reported.
Related: WHO says it's time to lift COVID-19 restrictions
"The failure of travel restrictions introduced after the detection and reporting of the omicron variant to limit the international spread of omicron demonstrates the ineffectiveness of such measures over time," the committee's report stated. In addition, it said such restrictions "do not provide added value and continue to contribute to the economic and social stress experienced by citizens."
The agency advised that safety measures such as masking, testing, isolation, quarantine and vaccination "should be based on risk assessments to avoid placing an excessive financial burden on international travelers."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.