Travel rules for unvaccinated under 18s

[Blubells]

Does anyone know whether the stricter rules for unvaccinated people (day 2 and 8 testing after arriving back in UK) from next month also apply to under 18s who've not had two jabs?

I would also really like to know the answer to this question. I can’t seem to find any details about unvaccinated under 18s or u12s anywhere.

According to the Times this morning the DfT has said that the full suite of unvaccinated traveller rules apply to 11+ who are not fully vaccinated.

“It said: “Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adults aged 11 and over must still present a negative test ahead of arrival to the UK, and then quarantine at home for ten days. They must take PCR tests on day two and eight. They can end self-isolation early under the test to release scheme which requires an additional PCR test on day five.” It said it would issue more guidance “shortly”.”

I think this is idiocy and surely it will change? It’s grossly unfair otherwise.

I agree, this doesn’t make sense. I have an 11 year old DC. They cannot be vaccinated yet. So my husband and and I (who are double vaccinated) and our younger children could all have a half term break abroad, but my 11 year old DC would have to quarantine and miss 10 more days of school when they have had no vaccine option. Also isn’t it the case that 12-15 year olds can only have one dose of the vaccine and then wouldn’t qualify anyway? These rules will do nothing to increase the vaccine update for that group.

That would mean no family with under 18s can go abroad at half term, as (double) unvaccinated under 18s would have to self isolate for 10 days after returning home

Even 16-17 year olds have only been offered one jab, so most teens won't be double jabbed!

I’m hoping that the Times has got it wrong, while it’s a leading article on the front page online it doesn’t seem to be reported anywhere else and there are contradictory statements elsewhere in the same newspaper! Usual shambles and totally unclear from the government

It has to be wrong.

I hope it's wrong too! It has to be and I hope the Government confirm that under 18s are exempt.

I have been trying to find this too, rather than The Times getting it wrong, I honestly think the government hasn't thought it through. Under 18's are not mentioned on the official government advice anywhere from 4th October. It's not the testing that worries me, more the 10 day quarantine meaning they miss school and college.

The Times has said it's from the DFT. I was literally browsing half term holidays when I saw it. Dd1 has just started secondary so would hate to miss 10 days, and I don't want to be THAT parent!

Will look for clarity but sounds like it's another confused decision by the government.

What's weirder is that my 11 year old didn't need to quarantine in the summer when we came back from Greece, just do the day 2 tests like the rest of us.

Hopefully the Times has got it wrong!

Thank goodness!! It seems like they have!

twitter.com/ppaulcharles/status/1439501451869495297?s=21

[quote abricotine]Thank goodness!! It seems like they have!

twitter.com/ppaulcharles/status/1439501451869495297?s=21[/quote]
Thank you for sharing this @abricotine . I'm not on Twitter but I was able to see the tweet itself and it looks very hopeful. Do you know who the person is that tweeted this information though? I'm hoping they are reputable!

That's great as read Times article this morning and was even more confused. We are going away at half term but flying into England and live in Scotland ( longstanding booking nothing to do with the new rules), goodness knows what the rules are for that

@freckles20 Shapps has tweeted now to confirm it - phew!: twitter.com/grantshapps/status/1439537044607352832?s=21

Whilst Shapp's tweet says that the existing rules say those under 18 don't need to quarantine, those rules (which are presumably these

www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england#history) refer to entering the UK from an amber country and themselves link to the new guidance which says that the green & amber lists are being scrapped and sets out the rules which will apply from 4th October ... which don't mentioned those in the 12 - 18 category. So, whilst it would be nonsensical for those in the 12 - 18 category to have to self isolate for 10 days, that is what the guidance currently says. Hopefully someone in the DfT will have the sense to update the new guidance

We have had the same debate and have found this one the government website. Fairly clear that under 18s don't need to isolate.

The Times seems to be wrong? I hope!

I'm also looking for some clarity on this info!

That doesn't make any sense. Surely they've just forgotten to update the website on Friday afternoon? As the current rules are fully vaccinated adults and under 18s (regardless of vaccination status) resident in the UK can enter the UK without quarantining.

Following as looking at booking but was very confusing
That seems to clear it up for coming back into the UK, but still not entirely sure about rules for unvaccinated under 18s going into Spain, Greece etc...

This is all very confusing, I have been looking for clarity for my 11 year old.
The update on Twitter by Shapps is regarding self isolation on return to UK, it doesn't mention pre departure tests for return to UK.

The govt website needs to be updated and made clearer.

I gave read that children will be treated as vaccinated adults but I want to see it in the official govt website not from random Facebook pages

This is just for re entering entering the UK though.. a lot of countries expect over 12s to be fully jabbed to enter, and require them to isolate if they aren't....😒😒