Tests required before travel to UK and Nigeria added to red list
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Nigeria to be added to travel red list from 6 December and people
travelling to UK from any country will need to take pre-departure
test from 7 December Nigeria to be added to the travel red list
from 4am Monday 6 December following 21 cases of Omicron reported
in England which are linked to travel from this country, with 134
UK cases now reported in total In light of emerging evidence on the
Omicron variant, from 4am on...Request free trial
Nigeria to be added to travel red list from 6 December and people travelling to UK from any country will need to take pre-departure test from 7 December
From 4am on Monday 6 December, UK and Irish citizens and residents arriving from Nigeria must isolate in a government-approved managed quarantine facility for 10 days, and receive two negative PCR tests, as further precautionary action is taken against the Omicron variant. Currently, the vast majority of cases in the UK have clear links to overseas travel from South Africa and Nigeria, and over the past week, 21 Omicron cases reported in England originate from Nigeria. A temporary travel ban will therefore be introduced for all non-UK and non-Irish citizens and residents who have been in Nigeria in the last 10 days, meaning they will be refused entry into the UK. This does not apply to those who have stayed airside and only transited through Nigeria while changing flights. Last weekend, 10 countries were added to the red list and it was announced that all vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK must take a day two PCR tests and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Since then, the geographical spread of Omicron has increased considerably, with 37 countries around the world now reporting Omicron cases and over 134 cases identified in the UK. New analysis conducted by the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that the window between infection and infectiousness may be shorter for the Omicron variant, which increases the efficacy of pre-departure testing as it is more likely to identify positive cases before travel. In light of this emerging evidence and the changing global picture with regards to the spread of Omicron, from 4am on Tuesday, anyone wishing to travel to the UK from countries and territories not on the red list must also show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow (LFD) pre-departure test, taken no earlier than 48 hours before departure. This applies to vaccinated passengers and children aged 12 and above. Airlines will be required to check for pre-departure tests alongside a completed passenger locator form, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result. Given the reduced incubation period of the Omicron variant, passengers are advised to take the pre-departure test as close as possible to their scheduled departure to the UK and no earlier than 48 hours before travelling. These additional measures are vital to delaying the import of additional cases and slow the rise in cases within the UK. However, as the Prime Minister set out on 27 November, all temporary measures will be reviewed after three weeks to ensure that they remain necessary and proportionate, and this will take place on 20 December. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, said: We knew this winter would be challenging but the arrival of a new variant means we must further strengthen our defences. As our world-leading scientists continue to understand more about the Omicron variant we are taking decisive action to protect public health and the progress of our COVID-19 vaccination programme. I urge everyone to do their bit to slow the spread by following the new travel rules, wearing masks where mandatory and most importantly getting the booster jab when called. Anyone arriving from Nigeria before 4am Monday [6 December] will be advised and strongly encouraged to isolate at home, and their household should also self-isolate for 10 days starting with their arrival in England. Affected individuals will be contacted and offered free PCR tests to be taken on day 8 after their arrival. Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: Following developments in the past week, the science shows that we must be cautious in guarding against this new variant and so, while we appreciate this will be difficult for the travel sector, it’s important we prioritise public health. As we learn more about the Omicron variant, we will review these temporary measures to ensure they continue to be proportionate and necessary to protect public health. Analysis by the UKHSA suggests there is strong indication of Omicron presence in Nigeria, and several cases identified in the UK are linked to travel from Nigeria. The country also has very strong travel links with South Africa, for example Nigeria is the second most popular flight destination from Johannesburg. The UKHSA continues to monitor the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organisations across the world, and government is working collaboratively with the WHO and countries around the world to better understand the new variant and possible mitigations. Travellers should not attempt to travel to the UK from a red list country without a Managed Quarantine Service (MQS) booking, as they will not be able to board a flight and could be subject to a fixed penalty notice at the UK border. The government’s advice is to keep checking the CTM website as there are significant number of cancellations happening which will free up rooms. The MQS has contracted several new hotels to enter service this week, in response to the likely numbers of UK residents who will want to travel from Nigeria before Christmas. British nationals in Nigeria should check Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice and follow local guidance. The FCDO will continue to offer tailored consular assistance to British nationals in country in need of support overseas on a 24/7. The government is clear it will take further decisive action if necessary to contain the virus and new variant. Background
Red list of countries and territories Check the COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for countries and territories on the red list for international travel to England. Applies to England Contents
This page tells you what you must do before you travel to England and after you arrive, if you have been in a red list country or territory in the 10 days before you arrive. If you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in England, you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you either:
If you live in England, you should not travel to countries or territories on the red list. There are different rules for entering England if you have not been in a red list country or territory. Red list of countries and territories
Before you travel to England – red list rules Before you travel to England you must:
You must do this even if you are fully vaccinated. Read more about taking a COVID-19 test before you travel to England. When you arrive in England – red list rules When you arrive in England you must quarantine in a managed hotel, and take 2 COVID-19 tests. You must do this even if you are fully vaccinated. Travelling with children – red list rules Children aged 11 to 17 must take a COVID-19 test in the 3 days before travel to England. On arrival in England children aged 5 to 17 must quarantine in a managed hotel for 10 full days and take 2 COVID-19 tests. Children aged 4 or under do not have to take any travel tests but must enter managed quarantine. Transiting through a red list country on your way to England If you make a transit stop in a red list country on your way to England, you may need to follow the red list rules when you arrive. A transit stop is a stop where passengers can get on or off the transport in which you are travelling. It can apply to ships, trains or aeroplanes. Whether you need to follow red list rules as a result of your transit stop in a red list country depends on what happens during the stop. Air passengers You need to follow red list rules when you arrive in England if you pass border control at the airport during your transit stop. Ship passengers You need to follow red list rules when you arrive in England if, during your transit stop, either:
Train passengers You need to follow red list rules when you arrive in England if you get off the train in a red list country, for example to switch trains. Private vehicles or coaches travelling through red list countries or territories If you are travelling to England in a private vehicle, the rules of the countries and territories you drive through apply. If you drive through a red list country, then you must follow the red list rules when you arrive in England. This applies whether you stop in the country or territory or not. You need to record the countries and territories you drive through on your passenger locator form. Medical, compassionate and work-related exemptions Some people are exempt from red list restrictions for medical or compassionate reasons, or because of the job they do. Read about: |