Ever since COVID-19 hit the world, traveling internationally has had additional procedural restrictions. The requirements and policies for air travel have been changing with the continuous rise in cases. Currently, since most countries are making an effort to vaccinate their populations, air travel is now slowly picking up pace as it has become increasingly safe to travel again. However, the UK and the US have made additional changes to their restrictions.
Here are 6 important things you need to know before traveling to or from the UK/US.
- Checking Travel Advice
It’s better to keep yourself updated with the latest information and the recent changes being made to restrictions on travel. Whether you’re visiting the US or the UK or flying back from a trip, it’s essential to check and follow foreign travel advice. This is because it can help you stay safe and plan for your trip accordingly. Since there are more risks involved with traveling internationally, it’s crucial to follow the procedures of the airline as well as that of your destination.
- Covid Test
As per the instructions given in both countries, passengers are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding the flight. You’ll either need to get the test done one day or three days before travel, depending on whether you’re vaccinated or not. Especially if you have any of the three covid symptoms, like temperature, cough, or loss of sense of taste and smell, getting a PCR test done is highly necessary. This also applies to people who have been in close contact with an infected individual or with someone who’s showing symptoms of being infected.
- Lateral Flow Test
If you don’t have any symptoms of coronavirus and are fully vaccinated, you can take a lateral flow test (LFT) instead of a PCR test. These tests are cheaper in comparison and can be purchased from any private provider. To be allowed to travel, passengers are required to show images of their antigen test UK to their private provider, and if the result turns out to be positive, they need to take a PCR test. If you’ve already bought a PCR test, you don’t need to buy the LFT one. The result needs to be sent and verified by the company they purchased the test from.
- Proving Vaccination Status
Passengers who have had their complete dosage of vaccination against COVID-19 are allowed to travel to the US and UK, provided that at least 14 days have passed since the last dosage was administered. However, wherever you decide to get the vaccination, it is essential that they meet the conditions for travel in that country. The vaccine administered should either be from UK/US vaccination programs or from other international vaccination programs, with proof of vaccination for traveling overseas. It is important that you keep all proof of vaccinations like vaccination certificates along with other travel documents with you while traveling internationally.
- Children’s Safety
Children are allowed to travel to the US/UK under certain conditions. Firstly, all children below the age of 4 can travel even if they are not vaccinated and do not need to be quarantined upon arrival. For children between the ages of 5 and 17 who are traveling from countries with approved proof of vaccination list, only a COVID-19 test a day or two before arrival is required. For other countries, COVID tests are required before traveling, on the day or before the second day of arrival, on the eighth day after arrival, and quarantine for 10 days at the place of stay in the US/UK.
- After Arrival in the US/UK
Once you do return to your place of stay, it is important for you to realize that air travel significantly increases your chances of being exposed to the virus. It is recommended for you to quarantine for at least 7 days, even if your COVID test result is negative, as the test result can be a false negative. If, however, you decide to not take the COVID test, you should quarantine for 10-15 days and look out for symptoms of COVID. If your test comes back positive, immediately isolate yourself from others and get proper treatment from your healthcare provider to manage symptoms.
As life slowly moves back to normal after the COVID pandemic, air travel is now picking up pace again after the majority of the counties are vaccinating their populations against this disease. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary to ensure complete vaccination as well as adherence to precautions for traveling safely.