Two Covid tests are now required for all UK arrivals during quarantine

Two Covid tests are now required for all UK arrivals during quarantine (Photo: Shutterstock)Two Covid tests are now required for all UK arrivals during quarantine (Photo: Shutterstock)
Two Covid tests are now required for all UK arrivals during quarantine (Photo: Shutterstock)

All travellers entering the UK will now be required to take two coronavirus tests while quarantining, in an attempt to prevent new Covid variants spreading across the country.

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The tests will be taken on days two and eight of the 10 day quarantine period.

All passengers arriving into the UK will be required to take a PCR test, which currently costs around £100 per test.

The Department of Health said the move would provide the UK with a “further level of protection”, enabling new cases to be tracked more effectively by authorities.

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Additional measures when entering country

The details of the new rules will be outlined in the House of Commons on Tuesday (9 Feb) by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Travellers arriving in the UK, whether by boat, train or plane, must now show proof of a negative Covid-19 test or they will be denied entry.

The test must be taken in the 72 hours before travel, and people can face a fine of up to £500 if found to be travelling without one. Border Force officials will be carrying out spot checks.

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The Government confirmed that travellers will be expected to use the PCR tests, which are more expensive than cheaper lateral flow devices for testing.

Travellers must provide contact details and their UK address. They can then travel - by public transport if necessary - to the place where they plan to self-isolate.

Anyone who fails to get tested will face fines, and travellers will have to pay for their tests.

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Hotel quarantine from 15 February

From 15 February, UK travellers and Irish nationals arriving into the UK from 33 red list countries will have to quarantine in hotels.

Passengers will have to stay for 10 nights, with security guards accompanying them if they go outside.

Travellers from non-red list countries will still be able to leave home isolation after a negative test on day five, with the ‘test to release scheme’ staying in place.