The UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, while making the announcement, said that from 4 am on March 18 (GMT), no one entering the UK will need to take Covid-19 tests, including those who do not qualify as vaccinated or complete a passenger locator form to enter the country
The United Kingdom announced the removal of all Covid-19 travel restrictions for all kinds of passengers from March 18. The UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, while making the announcement, said that from 4 am on March 18 (GMT), no one entering the UK will need to take Covid-19 tests, including those who do not qualify as vaccinated or complete a passenger locator form to enter the country.
Ahead of the Easter Holidays, the move will help unvaccinated travellers. They would not need to take a pre-departure Covid19 test before their scheduled departure. This change also does away with requirement for another test on day two post-arrival in the UK.
The measures reflect the decisions taken by the UK government, as set out in the Living with Covid plan, and the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout, with 86 per cent of the population having received a second dose and 67 per cent of the population with a booster or third dose. Removing all Covid-19 travel restrictions would be a landmark moment for passengers and the travel and aviation sector.
“We’re grateful for the timing of the announcement as we prepare to welcome back passengers this Easter and summer, for which we know there is huge pent-up demand, and for the UK’s leadership in being the first major aviation market to remove all remaining restrictions. The time to return to the skies – to enjoy all that makes aviation and international travel great, for families and businesses – is now.”
— Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK
Commenting on the decision, Shapps said, “I said we wouldn’t keep travel measures in place for any longer than necessary, which we’re delivering on today – providing more welcome news and greater freedom for travellers ahead of the Easter holidays. I look forward to continuing to work with the travel sector and partners around the world to keep international travel moving.”
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said that the “announcement sends a clear message to the world – the UK travel sector is back. With travellers returning to the UK no longer burdened by unnecessary forms and testing requirements, we can now look forward to the return to pre-Covid normality throughout the travel experience. We’re grateful for the timing of the announcement as we prepare to welcome back passengers this Easter and summer, for which we know there is huge pent-up demand, and for the UK’s leadership in being the first major aviation market to remove all remaining restrictions. The time to return to the skies – to enjoy all that makes aviation and international travel great, for families and businesses – is now.”
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