UK to Remove Testing Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Arrivals Starting Next Month

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The UK has decided to eliminate COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals starting from the 11th of next month.

Grant Shapps, the UK Secretary of State for Transport, announced on the 24th (local time) that "COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated international arrivals will be withdrawn."

From now on, fully vaccinated arrivals will not need to undergo COVID-19 testing within two days of arrival. Pre-arrival testing and self-quarantine have already been exempted.

Regulations for unvaccinated individuals will also be eased. They must still take a pre-arrival test and a PCR test within two days after arrival, but the previous 10-day self-quarantine and the test on the 8th day will no longer be required.

Secretary Shapps explained, "Currently, fully vaccinated means those who have received two doses or the Janssen vaccine." In addition to Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen vaccines approved by UK health authorities, vaccines from 16 countries including China and Mexico are also recognized.

However, the UK government is continuing to consider changing the criteria to require a booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated. Minors under 18 years old will be treated as equivalent to fully vaccinated individuals.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "We want to show that the UK is an open country for businesses and travelers," adding, "We are moving past the Omicron variant faster than other countries."

As the spread of the Omicron variant slows, the UK has brought back the 'With COVID' strategy. Starting from the 27th, indoor mask mandates and the use of vaccine passports will also be lifted.