Travel "restrictions" for entering UK

[supergloo]

These are a JOKE! I have 2 friends who have travelled in from - US and Spain. One *from US) did her PCR on arrival at the airport and then wandered through London while waiting for results and the other got picked up at the airport by her Mum and straight to Tesco for shopping before home.

Yeah, relies on travellers having common sense so no hope really, look at your examples

They all need a negative PCR before they get on the flight.

The pre flight test and the test on arrival was introduced in late Nov/early Dec as soon as we heard of the existence of the Omicron variant. The aim of the tests was to monitor the spread of Omicron to UK.

Now that Omicron is known to be spreading within the community in UK both tests completely pointless. They are just a tax on people who travel.

@Weihnachtsmarkt

They all need a negative PCR before they get on the flight.

The pre flight test and the test on arrival was introduced in late Nov/early Dec as soon as we heard of the existence of the Omicron variant. The aim of the tests was to monitor the spread of Omicron to UK.

Now that Omicron is known to be spreading within the community in UK both tests completely pointless. They are just a tax on people who travel.

Well they landed yesterday and did the PCR on arrival.

What is the point of the restrictions? The WHO recommended against them. 1 in 45 people is it with covid right now? As PP said they’ll have had to have a pre flight test, and the cost to the travel industry and the human cost to international families is really high.

The PCR on arrival is in addition to the test they had to take before they even got on the plane btw.

They needed an antigen or lateral flow test before flying as well. They then need a PCR within 2 days of landing. The one who went shopping broke the rules but the other didn't really. Didn't follow the spirit of the rules maybe, but didn't break them.
The rules are ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than the masks/no masks, work from home unless you dont want to, etc.

@QuentininQuarantino

The PCR on arrival is in addition to the test they had to take before they even got on the plane btw.

But dont they take this 2 days before they leave?

Within two days of arrival yes - probably more recently than the average persons last LFT though. And then another PCR on arrival. I don’t get the joke?

@QuentininQuarantino

Within two days of arrival yes - probably more recently than the average persons last LFT though. And then another PCR on arrival. I don’t get the joke?

No, I mean isnt the PCR supposed to be before they arrive and then another 2 days before departure? So, they do one before they leave USA,, then another within 2 days after they get here and a third before they leave to go back?

I can't really see what you are getting worked up about, if they are coming form the USA or Spain their chances of having Covid are lower than the people already here.

Yes exactly - a test either side of arrival and for most countries a third test before the return (and in some cases often another post arrival pcr). At least 3 tests per trip.

@QuentininQuarantino

Yes exactly - a test either side of arrival and for most countries a third test before the return (and in some cases often another post arrival pcr). At least 3 tests per trip.

Thank you! I was so confused. We were going to go away and for us it was looking like just the fit to fly and then another just before returning home (and then one after home). I was lost on the extra :)

Given the far larger number of cases in the UK I can't see what the issue is. They have to test before the flight. Think of it as someone travelling by coach for 3 hours between UK cities - they wouldn't need to test then.