Traveling To US Or UK? Must Check The New Covid-19 Testing Rules For International Arrivals

In response to the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 which is detected in late November, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom have updated their travel protocols for international arrivals.

Now, it is mandatory for all international travelers to carry a negative Covid-19 test report or proof of recovery from the contagion.

In the US the new travel protocols have come into effect from 06th December while the UK has imposed these new requirements starting from today (07th Dec 2021).

Below are some key points of new travel rules announced by the United States and the United Kingdom.

US New Travel Requirements

Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States: With specific exceptions, noncitizens who have been in certain countries during the past 14 days may not enter the United States as immigrants. For more information, visit Travelers Prohibited from Entry to the United States.

• Before boarding a flight to the United States, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.
• There is also an option for people who have documented recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Learn more about these requirements.
• Children under 2 years old do not need to test.
• These new rules have come into effective for flights departing to the US from a foreign country at or after 10:31 AM IST on December 6.

UK New Travel Requirements

Starting from Tuesday, 07th Dec 2021, anyone traveling to the UK from countries, not on the Red List will be required to take a pre-departure test, regardless of their vaccination status.

• All flyers aged 12 or above must take a PCR or LFD Covid-19 test before they travel to England from abroad.
• The test must be taken within two days of travel date to England.
• This new requirement applies regardless of vaccination status.
• Some people, including children aged 11 and under, are exempt from taking the test.

Also Read: Qantas Launches Commercial Flights Between Australia And India After Almost A Decade