From Friday fully-vaccinated passengers arriving in England will no longer have to take a pre-departure coronavirus test, Boris Johnson has confirmed.
The requirement for arrivals to self-isolate until receiving a negative PCR test result will also be dropped.
These changes will come into effect from 4am on Friday, Boris Johnson told the House of Commons.
Travellers will instead have to take a lateral flow test on day two after returning. If this is positive then a further PCR test will be done to identify any new variants, followed by self-isolation.
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Mr Johnson said the measures were being scrapped as they were no longer effective in limiting the spread of the Omicron variant, which is now widespread in the country.
The Prime Minister said: “I can announce that in England from 4am on Friday we will be scrapping the pre-departure test, which discourages many from travelling for fear of being trapped overseas and incurring significant extra expense.
“We will also be lifting the requirement to self-isolate on arrival until receipt of a negative PCR, returning instead to the system we had in October last year, where those arriving in England will need to take a lateral flow test no later than the end of Day 2 and, if positive, a further PCR test to help us identify any new variants at the border.”
He added that these measures were “balanced and proportionate” to ensure people can get on with their lives but not let their guard down.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that the travel measures would be reviewed again at the end of January.
Announcing the changes on Twitter he said: "By reducing testing requirements for fully vaxxed passengers to just a lateral flow post-arrival, we're supporting the safe reopening of international travel.
"We'll do a full review of travel measures by the end of January to ensure a stable system is in place for 2022."
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