You can find your destination's specific testing requirements using our destination tracker here

As of October 4th, the government has changed the current traffic light system which classifies international travel destinations based on Covid-19 risks. The rules for international travel to England have changed from the red, amber, green traffic light system to a single red list of countries and simplified travel measures for arrivals from the rest of the world.

What do the different categories of the UK's 'Traffic Light System' for travel mean?

• Red: You must pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests upon return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). You will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish national or you have residence rights in the UK.
• Rest of the world (unvaccinated): You will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test, and two PCR tests on return to the UK (Day 2 & Day 8). Optionally you can take a test on Day 5 (Test to Release) to leave quarantine early.
• Rest of the world (vaccinated): You will not need to quarantine on return, and you do not need to take a pre-departure test. You are required to take a PCR test on or before Day 2 of your return to the UK.

How will the government decide which countries go on the red list?

Countries are assigned to the red lists, based on a range of Covid-19 health metrics, which include figures on population vaccination, infection rates and prevalence of variants. The red light category indicates a high level of risk in a given destination and the associated tests and quarantine periods required. Lists are reassessed every three weeks, to account for changes in each country’s COVID-19 situation.

Before you travel to England you must:

Red List

• Complete a passenger locator form
• Take a COVID-19 test
• Book a quarantine hotel package (including 2 COVID-19 tests)

Rest of world (unvaccinated)

• Complete a passenger locator form
• Take a COVID-19 test
• Book Day 2 and Day 8 COVID-19 travel tests (to be taken after arrival in England)

Rest of world (vaccinated)

• Complete a passenger locator form
• Book a Day 2 COVID-19 test

On arrival in England you must:

Red List

• Quarantine in a managed hotel, including 2 COVID-19 tests

Rest of world (unvaccinated)

• Quarantine at home/place you are staying for 10 days
• Take a COVID-19 test on/before Day 2 and on/after Day 8
• You may be able to end quarantine early through 'Test to Release'

Rest of world (vaccinated)

• Take a COVID-19 test on/before Day 2 after you arrive
• You do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive.

An Antigen test looks for viral surface proteins of the virus. It will confirm if you currently have the virus. It will not confirm whether you have had it and have developed an immune response - there are other tests available for that (see our antibody test). It’s a faster and cheaper alternative to a PCR test and has an accuracy of 98%.

Your test results will be sent to you securely by text and email including a PDF you can download. Your certificate will show your full name, date of birth, passport number (optional), date and time of test, and issue date. It will also be signed by our Medical Director, Dr. Jeremy Harris GMC: 3076541.

Negative: You do not have any evidence of an active COVID-19 infection.

Positive: The virus that causes COVID-19 has been detected on your swab. You will need to self-isolate for 10 days in accordance with government guidance.

Unclear: On rare occasions, it might not be possible to say if you had the virus when your test was done. In the event of this happening please contact us, quote your order number and we will arrange a retest.