Covid: Day 2 Antigen Tests

October 2021 | Reading time: 4 minutes

Fully vaccinated travellers coming to the UK from non-red list countries will be allowed to use Day 2 antigen tests on returning to the UK.

As the current travel rules now stand, fully vaccinated passengers travelling back to the UK do not have to self-isolate but must take a Day 2 PCR test. This is due to change next week.

From 24 October, travellers who are fully vaccinated as well as most under-18s coming to the UK from non-red list countries, will be permitted to use antigen tests instead of PCR tests for the Day 2 testing.

Current rules

Day 2 PCR tests are currently mandatory for everyone travelling back to the UK. Passengers who are not fully vaccinated must take a Day 8 PCR test in addition to the Day 2 test and quarantine for 10 days. Red list country travellers, regardless of their vaccination statuses, must quarantine at a government-authorised hotel for 10 days and take both Day 2 and Day 8 PCR tests.

The decision to replace PCR tests with antigen tests for fully vaccinated travellers was clearly made in the heels of the COVID-19 vaccine programme’s success.

Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, Dr Jenny Harries, said: ‘Testing, along with vaccines, remains one of our first lines of defence against COVID-19. Getting a test as early as possible on arrival and isolation when necessary, can help control the spread of the virus and protect one another.’

Affordable half-term breaks

The updated rules for fully vaccinated passengers will be in place just in time for travellers coming back to the UK after their half-term breaks. Replacing the PCR tests with antigen tests will effectively make holidays more affordable for eligible travellers.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement: ‘We want to make going abroad easier and cheaper, whether you’re travelling for work or visiting friends and family.

‘Lateral flow tests will be available later this month for those returning from half-term holidays.

‘This change to testing is only possible thanks to the incredible progress of our vaccination programme, which means we can safely open up travel as we learn to live with the virus.’

Booking the Day 2 antigen tests

Eligible travellers must buy the rapid antigen tests for Day 2 testing from private providers prior to coming back to England. The purchase or in-clinic appointment booking details must be included in the passenger locator form.

However, please be advised that the NHS antigen tests are not permitted to be used for any foreign travel purposes, including as Day 2 tests.

As with Day 2 PCR tests, the Day 2 antigen tests must be used on or before the second day of arrival in the UK. Once there is a test reading, an image of it along with relevant ID must be shared with the test provider. The testing authority then will verify the result.

In the event of a positive result, the traveller must enter quarantine immediately and take a free NHS PCR test to confirm the result.

To be eligible to take Day 2 Antigen Tests, the travellers:

• Must be fully vaccinated or under 18 years old, and
• Must NOT have travelled to a red list country in the past 10 days before returning to the UK.

Much needed boost for the foreign travel industry

While making travel more affordable for holidaymakers, this new introduction in foreign travel rules is also meant to aid the foreign travel industry resume operations as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said that changes to the rules ‘will make testing on arrival simpler and cheaper for people across the country who are looking forward to well-earned breaks for this October half term.’

In the same statement, he went on to add: ‘Taking away expensive mandatory PCR testing will boost the travel industry and is a major step forward in normalising international travel and encouraging people to book holidays with confidence.’