Day 2 PCR and Day 8 PCR Package Tests

From 4am Sunday 24th October, if you are not fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival into the UK, then you will need to take a government mandatory Day 2 and Day 8 PCR test if you’re arriving into England, Scotland or Wales from any country that is not on the red list. You will also need to quarantine for 10 days at home, but you can have the optional Day 5 PCR test (Test to Release) to reduce the quarantine period.

You’re legally required to take a PCR test on Day 2 (or before) of the compulsory 10-day quarantine period, followed by a second test on Day 8. The day you arrive is treated as Day 0. You can book your Day 2 test on Day 0, Day 1 or Day 2. You then book your second test on Day 8.

You must remain in self-isolation until the end of the tenth day even if you have received a negative result from your Day 2 test. However, you can take an optional Day 5 Test to Release PCR test – if this is negative you can leave quarantine as soon as you get a negative result. Click here to book an additional Day 5 test.

You need to  book your Day 2 and Day 8 tests before your arrival into England, Scotland or Wales and complete a passenger locator form with details about where you will be self-isolating.

If you test positive for Covid-19, you must continue self-isolating for a further 10 days, starting from the date of your positive result.

TESTING FOR CHILDREN

Children aged 4 and under, do not have to take any COVID-19 travel tests at all.

Children from 0-17 who are resident in the UK, or in a country with an approved proof of vaccination-programmes, do not have to quarantine on arrival in England. To see if your country of residence is on the approved Covid 19 Vaccination programme, please click here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-with-approved-covid-19-vaccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination

Children aged 5 to 17 who are resident in the UK, or in a country with an approved proof of vaccination-programmes, will still need to have a Day 2 Lateral Flow Test.

Children aged 5 to 17 who are resident in any country that is not on the approved proof of vaccination-programmes list must:

• take a COVID-19 test (if aged 11 or above) before travelling to England
• take a PCR COVID-19 test on or before day 2 in England – arrival day is day 0
• take a PCR COVID-19 test on or after day 8 in England – arrival day is day 0
• quarantine at home or in the place they’re staying for 10 days, or for the duration of their stay if it’s less than 10 days

The optional Day 5 Test to Release is also available to come out of quarantine earlier.