TESTING TIMES
What are the new Covid testing rules for travellers entering the UK?
ALL travellers entering the UK will have to take three coronavirus tests under new measures announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
Here is everything you need to know about the new rules.
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What are the new coronavirus test rules?
The new rules require an additional two coronavirus tests from all UK arrivals.
These are in addition to a negative Covid test already needed up to 72 hours before arriving in the country.
The measures now mean that all arrivals in the country have to have a test taken on day 2 and day 8 of their mandatory quarantine.
This affects people quarantining at home and people quarantining at the new quarantine hotels.
The Test and Release scheme which allows travellers to leave quarantine on day five with a negative coronavirus test, will remain in place - but this will mean a total of four Covid tests.
If any of the tests are positive, then a quarantine for a further 10 days from the date of the test will be enforced.
The new rules will be in place from Monday, February 15.
How many Covid tests will I need returning to the UK?
- Before arrival - mandatory PCR test taken up to 72 hours before departure
- Day 2 - mandatory PCR test
- Day 5 - optional PCR test (only if leaving the Test and Release scheme)
- Day 8 - mandatory PCR test
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Will I have to pay for the coronavirus tests?
Yes, passengers returning to the UK will have to pay for their coronavirus tests.
They must be PCR tests, which can cost up to £120 per person, per test.
This means each traveller returning to the UK faces an additional £360 bill.
How do I book the tests?
The government is launching an online portal for travellers to book the tests, which will launch on Thursday.
Anyone abroad returning to the UK from a country abroad will have to book them before they enter the country.
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What are the other new travel restrictions?
The new hotel quarantine measures have also been announced which still start on February 15 as well.
Anyone returning to the UK from one of the 33 high-risk countries - for which travel is already banned - will have to pay to quarantine at a government mandated hotel.
This will cost each passenger £1,750, with 16 hotels available to the high-risk arrivals - the cost will also include the cost of the two mandatory coronavirus tests.
Any guests who try to escape before their self-isolation has finished will face up to £10,000 fine.
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Travellers from the countries on the red list could even face being segregated from other passengers on planes to prevent them from mixing, according to the Times.
Airlines could be forced to reserve parts of the cabin for passengers from others, as well as keep them apart from each other during the flight.
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With most flights operating at much lower capacity, this could be enforceable, but will require staff to maintain restrictions while en route to the UK.
Here is what it is like to self-isolate at a quarantine hotel.
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