Testing requirements - visitors from USA to UK

TonyM19

Hi

Struggling to find any clarity on this and wondering if anybody has recent experience they could share

We have family (US citizens) visiting at the end of the month. They are all fully vaccinated. My understanding is that they have to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form and have a test on Day 2. Are they on the same restrictions as us? Do they have to have a test reference code on their PLF to get through customs? They know they have to have a test, but are under the assumption that they can just sort it once they're here. I'm not so sure about that.

I've read that if they get pinged by Test & Trace from the flight, they will have to quarantine because their jabs weren't in the UK. Of the 3 flights I've been on, I got pinged twice.

They have to take tests before returning. Can they just use a fit to fly lateral flow test - eg Randox etc? It looks that way reading the US guidance, but just checking if anybody has been through it.

Before anybody asks why are they risking it, there are pressing reasons I'm not going into on here, but I do understand why they are coming.

Cheers

onashoestring

Here is the link to the UK Gov website which you can forward to your relatives.The rules for visitors to UK are here :

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

To avoid 10 days quarantine , all arrivals to UK need ;

• Proof of vaccination for US residents this is a CDC card showing they’ve  had a full course of an FDA-approved vaccine in the USA plus proof that they are a resident of the USA.

•Book and pay for Day 2 test , before completing PLF .

• Submit PLF before travel.

They will not be able to board flight to UK without all of the above . If they somehow do manage to board the flight each individual would then be liable for a fine of £1000 when they arrived in UK

“If you do not possess or acquire a travel testing package for your Day 2 test - the fine is:£1,000 if you entered the UK without one”

You are correct that if they are identified as close contacts ( on plane or anywhere else ) they are not exempt from 10 days self isolation 
As this only applies to those who have been vaccinated by the UK vaccination program 

link to these rules here : 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-isolation-removed-for-double-jabbed-close-contacts-from-16-august

TonyM19

Thank you

The bit about having to quarantine if they get pinged is (imho) a load of rubbish. Is this under review? Just seems completely out of step with everywhere else, but if they are the rules, they are the rules

emmajones1976

TonyM19 said:

Thank you

The bit about having to quarantine if they get pinged is (imho) a load of rubbish. Is this under review? Just seems completely out of step with everywhere else, but if they are the rules, they are the rules

To be fair, how would a fine again a US national be enforced? 🤷‍♂️

TonyM19

By not letting them board their return flight?

Just speculating. Good question though

emmajones1976

TonyM19 said:

By not letting them board their return flight?

Just speculating. Good question though

The legal wheels of motion would not move that fast to allow someone not to do that, especially if they are only here for 2/3 weeks. Plus these "fines" arent instant either. I remain to be convinced though.
Of course once they arrived here they could just turn their phones off. Nudge nudge wink wink.

onashoestring

emmajones1976 

To be fair, how would a fine again a US national be enforced? 🤷‍♂️

Potentially could be refused entry to UK for not complying with rules or prevented from returning to UK if debt not paid ( like NHS debtors ) 

onashoestring

Of course once they arrived here they could just turn their phones off. Nudge nudge wink wink.

The address they are staying at is on the PLF so if they have been in contact with a positive case and T& T are unable to contact them by phone , they can expect a knock at  the door .

emmajones1976

"Oh I didnt know, my phone broke when I got here. Many apologies"

TonyM19

In the worst possible case and they got pinged, do they have to isolate at the address on the locator form or can they choose another?

onashoestring

They can choose another but have to submit a new PLF with the new details . 

“If you need to update your details

If any of your information changes after you have submitted your form, for example your travel details or contact information, you must complete a new form.”

https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk