Covid travel tests to be axed in England for vaccinated arrivals

[joselync]

People arriving in England from abroad will no longer have to take Covid tests if they are fully vaccinated, the government has confirmed.

The changes will be introduced from 4am on 11 February "in time for the half term break", said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Rules have also been eased for unvaccinated travellers, who will no longer have to take a day eight test.

However, they will still need pre-departure and day two tests.

And everyone arriving in England, regardless of vaccination status, will need to fill in a passenger locator form - although these would be made "simpler and easier" to complete, Mr Shapps said.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have previously followed England's lead, but any changes are for them to decide.

[tracym]

Covid travel tests for vaccinated arrivals will be axed in England from September this year. The move is being made as part of a wider effort to increase the uptake of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The decision was announced by the Department of Health (DoH) last week, and will apply to people arriving from anywhere in the world who have been fully vaccinated against these diseases.