London: Travelers who are fully vaccinated who return to the UK from countries that are not on the Red Tire travel list can take the negative Lateral Flow Test Covid-19 (LFT) instead of more expensive Polymerase chain reaction tests (PCR) under October 24 .
Travelers are vaccinated in more than 100 countries and regions, including India, will also be treated equally as the return of British population which is fully vaccinated, the government said.
Passengers who fully vaccinate the requirements that come in the UK from countries that are not on the red list can take LFT on or before the second day of their arrival from October 24, rather than PCR tests.
LFTS can be ordered from October 22 and most are intended for families planning a break during the school holidays that will come at the end of this month.
“We want to make abroad easier and cheaper, whether you are traveling to work or visit friends and family,” said UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
“The lateral flow test will be available later this month for those who return from half vacation holidays.
This change for testing is only possible thanks to the extraordinary progress of our vaccination program, which means we can safely open a trip when we learn to live with viruses,” He said.
Tourists will be able to order LFT which is cheaper than personal testing providers as an alternative to PCR, offering faster results.
A list of approved private providers will be aired at GOV.UK later this month.
Passengers need to take photos of LFT references and bookings supplied by personal providers and send them back to them to verify the results.
“Today’s rule changes will make testing on arrival simpler and cheaper for people throughout the country who look forward to a good break for the chapter of this October,” said Secretary of Transportation UK Grant Shapps.
“Taking expensive PCR testing will increase the travel industry and are the main step forward in normalizing international trips and encouraging people to order holidays with confidence,” he said.
Those who have bought PCR do not need to buy another test.
Under the rules, the arrival test must be taken as soon as possible on or before the second day of the arrival of passengers in the UK.
“Testing, along with vaccines, remains one of our first defense lines against Covid-19.
Gets a test as early as possible on arrival and isolation if necessary, can help control the spread of the virus and protect each other,” said Dr.
Jenny Harries, head Executive of the British Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
All tourists are asked to complete the “passenger location form” before traveling, including the test order reference number supplied by the testing provider.
Tourists will be able to upload their test booking references to forms from October 22 for arrival in England from October 24.
Under the existing system, the PCR test was taken on the second day after returning to England could cost around 75 pounds per person (USD 102)).
When changes come into force, anyone who receives positive results from the LFT they will be asked to isolate yourself and take the PCR test “confirm” for free to confirm the results.
Changes came when Britain continued to record a high level of Covid-19 infection and death, with 45,066 other cases and 157 deaths were recorded on Thursday.