Entry Rules

Changes continue to be made to the rules regarding international travel in response to the discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the resultant increase in the number of positive tests in the UK.

Red List

There are currently no countries or territories on the travel Red List.

Non-Red List

Further changes have also now been introduced for people arriving in the UK from countries that are not part of the Red List.

Fully Vaccinated:

Before travelling to England, you must complete a passenger locator form in the three days before you arrive back in the country. The only exception to this is if you are starting your journey in the Ukraine.

You no longer need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel to England or once you have returned.

These same rules apply for children aged 17 and under who do not need to take any COVID tests or quarantine on arrival.

Not Vaccinated:

Before travelling back to England you must take a COVID-19 test in the two days before travel, book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR tests to be after your arrival back in England and also complete a passenger locator form in the three days before travel.

After arriving back in the UK, you no longer need to quarantine but must take the PCR test within two days. Should you return a positive test, you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others but this is no longer a legal requirement.

Fully vaccinated means you have had a complete course of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before arriving in the UK.

Proof Of Vaccination

To get a digital NHS COVID Pass for travel you need one of the following.

To be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine used in the UK

The NHS COVID Pass is usually available within 24 hours of having your vaccination, but it can take up to 5 days for your records to be updated.

A positive PCR test within the past 6 months (not available in the Isle of Man)

The NHS COVID Pass is available after you've finished self-isolating and up to 180 days after taking the test.

You can also get a COVID Pass letter sent to your registered address.

Passenger Locator Form

Everyone arriving in the UK is required to complete a Passenger Locator Form within the 48 hours prior to travelling, with airlines requiring evidence that the form has been completed in order to allow you to board a flight.

In order to complete the form, you will need your passport details, travel details, address, booking reference for the relevant COVID-19 tests on returning home, and the invoice number for a quarantine hotel if required.

The form can be filled in here.

Booking A Test

The test that must be taken on day two of your arrival in England needs to be pre-booked in order to complete the required passenger locator form.

The test must come from a Government approved supplier, with further information available here.

Cruise regulations

The cruise industry was hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the various operators have worked hard to ensure that cruise holidays can resume in a safe environment for passengers and crew alike.

Each cruise line now operates with its own vaccination and testing policies in place with the main requirement being that ALL passengers must be double vaccinated and able to provide evidence from an approved source.

A number of cruise lines require a negative COVID-19 test prior to embarking on the ship, with the exact nature of the test being subject to the individual cruise line. Whilst some require a negative Lateral Flow Test, others require a PCR test - with the cruise lines providing complimentary tests for passengers.

Although restrictions have been eased on the usage of face masks back in the UK, your cruise line may still mandate their usage during your time in board, particularly in indoor environments or when social distancing cannot be carried out.

Some cruise lines have relaxed the rules on face masks to mirror those on land, and we can help to ensure you are aware of what the rules are before you travel.

It is important to check on the rules regarding any individual destination that you will be visiting on your cruise, with the latest up-to-date information available here.

Flexible booking policies remain in place across the industry, whilst Get Cruising is ABTA bonded and offers holidays that benefit from ATOL protection where required.