If you are planning to travel out of the UK or you are getting ready to come back home after spending some time in a country part of the amber, red, or green list, you will need to familiarize yourself with the fit to fly test for COVID-19. The UK does not require you to take a test to fly out of the country, but the country you are visiting may require one. Examine the entry requirements of the country to which you intend to travel carefully.
What Are Covid-19 Fit to Fly Tests?
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on board, many airlines have issued official requirements requiring passengers to take COVID-19 PCR tests. Airlines such as Ryanair have a dedicated page on their website that is regularly updated with links to companies that provide testing and what is required per country.
Because COVID-19 rules are constantly changing and differ from country to country, it is best to be able to provide recent proof that you are COVID-19 free prior to arriving at the airport.
A COVID-19 Fit to Fly test is a standard PCR test that involves a swab of the throat and nose and is used to determine whether or not an individual is currently infected with the new coronavirus. If a COVID-19 fit to fly test results in a positive result, the infected person will not be allowed to fly.
While some countries require travelers to take their test 72 hours before departure, there are some cases where the timeframe can be as short as 24 hours.
Do Airlines Accept Lateral Flow Tests?
Different airlines and countries have different requirements, most places will require PCR tests prior to boarding the airplane. Once again this differs and changes daily.
Fit to Fly Test Centers In Airports
The majority of airports in the UK, including Luton and Heathrow, have opened fit to fly test centers offering a plethora of A COVID-19 tests, as a means of meeting the differing and changing requirements issued by governments around the world. These testing centers allow people reaching the UK to book the mandatory travel test packages or for international travel. All fit to fly tests are completed by trustworthy and independent third-party testing services.
What Tests Do I Need When Traveling To The UK?
The UK Government have issued a Traffic Light system that allows travelers to understand what types of tests they will need to book on their upcoming arrival/departure in the country:
- PCR Fit to Fly testing
- LAMP testing
- Antigen Lateral Flow Fit to Fly testing
- arrival testing for travelers reaching England, including Day 2 and Day 8 COVID-19 tests for International Arrivals as well as Test to Release from quarantine.
On arrival in the UK, you will be asked to pre-book your PCR tests and fill out a passenger locator form, without this they will not allow you to board your flight from your destination.
How To Prepare For My Fit To Fly Test
Make sure you know the exact type of test you will need to take in order to travel in or out of the country. Ensure you will give the testing the necessary time for completion as well as certification so you will get your results on time, prior to doing your check-in at the airport.
Can A Fit To Fly Test Be A Home Test?
Yes. You could take a Fit To Fly COVID-19 PCR Swab Test at least three days before your flight. Allow enough time to register your test online and also to return the sample to the lab in the special envelope they have provided, ensuring that you have enough time to receive the results before flying.
Finally, please keep in mind that the continuously changing dynamics of the pandemics translates to constant changes brought to the UK Travel regulations. Stay updated with the latest Government information and travel advice and familiarize yourself with the exact travel requirements at your destination, as well as the countries that you will be passing through in case of flight transfers. Get in touch with the airline you will be flying with as well as the authorities in case you need further guidance concerning these requirements.
Contactless Travel
As a result of covid restrictions and people gradually returning to travel, there is an upward trend in the number of travelers who avoid making physical contact as much as possible. Airports and airlines are working to expand the use of contactless technology in all aspects of travel more information can be found in this article. https://luggagedeliverycompany.com/blog/contactless-travel-the-new-normal.
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