Country Specific Risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Update 45)
18 Mar 2022
From 4am on 18 March 2022, the COVID-19 rules for entering the UK from abroad changed. Regardless of your COVID-19 vaccination status, you no longer need to:
- take a COVID-19 test in the three days before arriving in the UK
- take COVID-19 tests after you arrive in the UK
- show proof of your vaccination status when arriving in the UK
- complete a passenger locator form
- quarantine on arrival to the UK
It is important to note that these changes only apply when you arrive back into the UK. Many other countries still have restrictions in place for travellers entering their country from abroad. Therefore, you will still need to check and follow the entry requirements and rules for each of the countries you will be travelling to. Details of the rules for each country can be found on the FCDO foreign travel advice pages.
The information below acts as a useful checklist for you to follow if you are planning to travel abroad during COVID-19.
Travelling abroad from the UK during COVID-19
Many countries still have rules and restrictions relating to COVID-19 in place that international travellers must follow to gain entry into their country. These rules may vary depending on whether or not you have been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine that is approved by the country you are going to. Before booking travel abroad, you should consider all of the following.
1. Review the FCDO foreign travel advice pages for the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
- You should check the advice for each of the countries you intend to travel or transit through.
- Some countries may refuse entry to travellers from the UK if the levels of COVID-19 are high in the UK.
- The FCDO may advise you to avoid travel to a country if the level of COVID-19 there is high.
Also see the Coronavirus FAQ page for useful advice on:
- obtaining proof of your vaccination status to travel abroad
- where you can obtain a COVID-19 test to travel abroad
- travelling if you have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- obtaining a negative PCR test if you have recently had COVID-19 infection
- COVID-19 fit to fly certificate or clearance letter if you have recently recovered from COVID-19 infection.
2.Check the risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) at your destination.
- This can be found in the 'Alerts' section on each fitfortravel country page.
- You should consider your risk of developing severe COVID-19 and check the availability of medical facilities at your destination (be aware that services may be overwhelmed due to COVID-19).
3: Ensure you have adequate travel insurance cover for the duration of your trip.
4: Check the UK border force rules for re-entering the UK.
- You should also check if there are any additional rules depending if you are arriving into Scotland, England, Northern Ireland or Wales.
5. Consider other health risks when travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- You may be exposed to a range of illnesses and health risks during travel, other than COVID-19.
You should review the fitfortravel country pages for the country or countries you plan to visit to find:
- up to date travel health recommendations for your destination
- advice on health risks you need to be aware of
- if you need to consider receiving any vaccinations, boosters or purchasing antimalarial tablets before you travel
You should comply with local public health requirements (e.g. physical distancing, wearing of face coverings, self-isolation) in the country you are visiting and maintain good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene measures at all times regardless of your vaccination status or if you have recovered from COVID-19 infection.
Prevention in Travellers
Detailed advice on the points to consider when planning travel including advice on reducing the risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) is available on the fitfortravel COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel page.
Currently COVID-19 vaccines are not available solely for the purposes of travel. However, you are encouraged to participate in the UK COVID-19 vaccination programme.
If you become unwell and/or develop a high temperature (fever) either during your trip, or once you return home, you must seek medical advice as soon as possible and mention your recent travel history.