The British government has announced that it will remove all COVID-19 travel test requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals from 4am on Friday February 11. 

Currently, incoming international arrivals who’ve had at least two approved vaccine doses are required to book and prepay for a day two COVID-19 test. Up until January 7, the British government also required all incoming travellers to undergo pre-departure testing. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the change during a speech to the British parliament. 

Today I declared that Britain is open for business.

Watch my speech in the Commons where I announced that we will be removing all testing measures for eligible vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK 👇 ✈️

More info on the changes here: https://t.co/tDiqeaCglF pic.twitter.com/HAeB2ncErh

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) January 24, 2022

“It is obvious to me now that border testing for vaccinated travellers has outlived its usefulness, and we’re therefore scrapping all travel tests for vaccinated people,” he said. “Today we are setting Britain free… with these changes today, we have one of the most open travel sectors in the world.” 

All arrivals are still required to complete a passenger locator form prior to travelling.

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For unvaccinated travellers, the pre-departure and day two PCR testing requirements will remain in place, although the day 8 test will be removed. Unvaccinated people will not be required to quarantine upon arrival, unless they test positive. 

The changes have been hailed by the travel industry as a step back to normality, with Chief executive of Airlines U.K., Tim Alderslade, calling it “a landmark day.”

“Nearly two years since the initial COVID restrictions were introduced, today’s announcement brings international travel towards near-normality for the fully vaccinated, and at last into line with hospitality and the domestic economy,” said Alderslade. 

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