Editor’s Note — Coronavirus cases are in flux across the globe. Health officials caution that staying home is the best way to stem transmission until you’re fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on March 15.
The basics
The United Kingdom has seen one of the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 in the world, resulting in multiple lockdowns. Most recently, the Omicron coronavirus variant spread across the UK.
In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, most legal coronavirus restrictions were lifted over summer 2021, but restrictions remained in place across the UK regarding international travel and some nations kept certain domestic measures.
The UK reintroduced some measures following the emergence of Omicron — most of which have since been lifted — but regulations continue to vary across the four nations. See more details below.
The UK is set to remove all remaining Covid-19-related restrictions on international travel from 4am local time on March 18. See more information below.
What’s on offer
In London, the UK has one of the world’s greatest cities. But beyond the architectural marvels and nightlife of the capital, there is much to explore — the rugged peaks of the Scottish Highlands, distant Welsh lakes and the wide sweep of Cornish beaches, for starters, plus historic towns and cities such as Bath, Oxford and Harrogate.
Who can go
Fully vaccinated travelers and under 18s can enter the UK without any additional testing requirements.
Non-vaccinated travelers can also visit the UK, but are currently subject to additional testing and quarantine requirements. See below.
What are the restrictions?
Red list countries
There are currently no countries on the UK’s red list.
Green list countries
Any destination not on the red list is considered green — so currently all destinations are green — but some green destinations don’t currently permit nonessential travel from the UK.
Fully vaccinated travelers and under 18s can enter the UK without any additional testing requirements.
Non-vaccinated travelers to the UK from green list countries must show a pre-departure negative test and book and pay for a day two test.
Non-vaccinated travelers no longer have to do a day eight test or quarantine upon arrival in the UK (unless they test positive). Non-vaccinated travelers must continue to take a pre-travel test and a day two PCR test.
From March 18, non-vaccinated travelers will be permitted to enter the UK without any testing before or during their stay.
Other developments:
The requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid-19 has been removed in England. Self-isolation is still a requirement in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — see below for more information.
What’s the Covid situation?
The UK has suffered considerably during Covid-19. Most recently, the Omicron coronavirus variant spread rapidly across the UK.
Cases have since fallen but remain quite high. There have been over 19.8 million Covid cases and more than 163,400 deaths in the UK as of March 15.
As of March 15, over 141.7 million vaccination doses have been administered in the UK and over 73.6% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
In March 2020, there was a UK-wide lockdown that lasted until the summer. Since then, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland developed their own region-specific measures — see below for detail.
What can visitors expect?
All legal Covid restrictions — including Omicron response “Plan B” — have been lifted in England.
Venues operating with large numbers — like theaters, concert venues and nightclubs — no longer require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test or negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the past 48 hours.
Individual venues may still decide they wish to enforce proof of vaccination — so it’s worth checking the website of the specific venue you’re visiting.
People living in England who were vaccinated abroad are also able to use the NHS Covid Pass.
The UK government has said it will phase out domestic use of the NHS Covid Pass from April 2022.
There are no rules on household mixing in England, and English shops, museums, theme parks, bars, pubs, hotels, B&Bs, cinemas, theaters and nightclubs are open without restrictions.
There no limits on people meeting indoors or outdoors, in public places or private homes.
Nightclubs — which closed following the emergence of Omicron — are now open again.
Individual venues may decide they wish to enforce proof of vaccination — so it’s worth checking the website of the specific venue you’re visiting.
International travelers can show a recent Covid test or the same proof of vaccination that they presented at the airport to enter the UK.
Scotland recently lifted some rules that were enforced following the emergence of Omicron. There are no limits on meeting others inside or outside.
Restaurants, bars, pubs and tourist attractions are open, and Scottish nightclubs recently reopened.
Face coverings remain mandatory in indoor public places and public transport.
Proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test is compulsory for entry to events with large numbers of people in attendance — such as nightclubs, but not smaller venues like cinemas or theaters.
People in Scotland must show they’ve had a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated if their last vaccine dose was more than four months ago.
People in Scotland are no longer legally required to use the NHS Scotland Covid Status App to confirm they’re jabbed to enter certain venues.
Some businesses and venues may continue to require proof of vaccination or a recent test — international travelers can show a recent Covid test or the same proof of vaccination that they presented at the airport to enter the UK.
Northern Ireland recently lifted its remaining Covid rules.
There are no longer limits on how many people can sit together in Northern Irish hospitality settings.
Hotels and B&Bs are open, as are nightclubs, bars, restaurants, museums and other indoor leisure and visitor attractions.
Until recently, no more than 30 people could meet in a private home in Northern Ireland for a gathering or to stay overnight. This rule has now been removed.
It is no longer a legal requirement for venues like nightclubs to ask for proof of vaccination before entering, however some venues may still require this.
Face coverings continue to be required on public transport and all indoor public settings, such as museums and galleries and cinemas.
Useful links
Our recent coverage
CNN’s Julia Buckley and Francesca Street contributed to this report
