UK Government Reduced Self Isolation Period for International Travelers

The UK government has lowered the period international immigrants must self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated and tested positive for Covid.

The change is in line with new domestic guidelines that went into effect on Wednesday, reducing the self-isolation time for anyone who tests positive for Covid to seven days from ten days.

It comes with the same caveat: on days six and seven, persons must deliver a negative response on a lateral flow test twice in a succession.

Those who test negative on a PCR test taken up today two following arrival are exempt from self-isolation upon receipt of their negative result, as per the previous rules. Self-isolation is essential if a PCR test is inconclusive.

Those who have not been properly vaccinated must stay in quarantine for a period of ten days.

The Department of Transportation updated its advice on quarantining at home following overseas travel.

Its official webpage now reads:

“If you’re fully vaccinated you must take a Covid-19 PCR test on or before day 2 after you arrive in England. If the test result is negative, you can end your quarantine immediately.

“If your PCR test result is positive, you usually have to self-isolate for 10 full days. The day you took the test is day 0.

“You can stop self-isolating after 7 days if you do a rapid lateral flow test on days 6 and 7 of your self-isolation period and:

• both tests are negative
• you did both tests at least 24 hours apart
• you do not have a high temperature

“If you do a rapid lateral flow test on day 6 and test positive, wait 24 hours before you do the next test.”