Quarantine-free travel for more UAE residents as UK updates vaccine list

Passengers from the UAE who have been vaccinated with Sinopharm will soon no longer be required to take a pre-departure test or self-isolate upon arrival to the UK.

The update was issued on the UK’s Department of Transport website.

The relaxation of travel rules come into effect at 4:00 am on November 22 after an update released by the UK’s Department of Transportation.

The UK will recognise the vaccines on the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing.

This includes Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Covaxin, in addition to the previously recognized Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covishield), Moderna and Janssen (J&J).

Fully vaccinated travellers from one of the 135 approved countries are not required to take a pre-departure test, day eight test or self-isolate upon arrival.

Now, passengers from these countries can opt for a lateral flow test before the end of the second day, post-arrival.

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Meanwhile, under-18s coming to England will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border and exempt from self-isolation requirements on arrival, day eight testing and pre-departure testing. They will only be required to take one post-arrival test and a confirmatory free PCR test if they test positive.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “today’s announcement is another step forward for the travel industry, businesses and for family and friends wanting to reunite or go abroad.

“The red list and quarantine system remain vital in protecting our borders, and as we’ve said, we will not hesitate to take action by adding countries to the red list if necessary.”

The UK government clarified that it will continue to keep its border measures under review, including the red list, and will “impose restrictions should there be a need to do so to protect public health,” according to the same report.

Guidelines for fully vaccinated passengers

Before travel, the passenger must book and pay for a COVID-19 test. A passenger locator form must be filled 48 hours before arrival.

Both lateral flow tests or PCR tests are recognised as valid COVID-19 tests.

After arriving, the previously paid-for COVID-19 test must be taken on or before day two. Arrival day is considered day zero.

Self-isolation for ten days applies if the lateral test and PCR test shows positive for COVID-19.