PCR tests are back for travellers arriving in the UK. Weeks after rules were eased to allow cheaper and faster lateral flow (antigen) tests, the government has tightened the rules once again in response to the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
At the same time, the previously dormant red list has been expanded and now contains 10 southern African nations.
These are the key questions and answers.
What are the new rules for travellers to the UK?
Anyone arriving from red list nations – currently South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe – must must prebook hotel quarantine for 11 nights at a cost of up to £2,285, which includes all meals and two PCR tests.
From all other countries (except the Republic of Ireland), the rules depend on the traveller’s vaccination status.
For fully vaccinated travellers (and under-18s travelling with them) a passenger locator form is still required. It can be completed only with proof of having booked a suitable test. That must now be a PCR test, which will be more expensive and slower to…
