Covid Testing Rules for International Visitors to UK/Scotland
August 10, 2021 5:56 PM Subscribe
I'm a fully vaccinated citizen of the USA. I'm planning on a trip to Scotland, where the self-isolation rules have recently been lifted, and where the definition of a "vaccinated" person have been updated to include those vaccinated in the USA. But it still seems that I have some protocols to follow, involving taking a test on and before Day 2. My questions center around this process.
I've looked at the official guidance for testing/isolation and still have questions. Let me start off with my assumptions, which I'd like to check to see if they're correct:
My assumptions
1. I need to book a Day 2 test via CTM. This booking will result in a test kit being sent to a location/hotel that I specify, prior to my arrival.
2. I need to take this test on or before Day 2, at the location/hotel where I am residing.
3. Once I've completed the test, I need to post it (put it in the mail).
4. I need to stay at my location/hotel until I get my results (via email).
5. If my results are negative, I can continue about my merry and have my holiday.
6. If my results are positive, or if it's found that I've been in contact with someone who has tested positive, I need to remain at the location/hotel and self-isolate for 10 days.
My questions
1. What happens if I arrive at my hotel and the test kit has not arrived?
2. What if I test positive, and the location/hotel can't accommodate my self-isolation time?
3. What happens if there's a delay in getting my results back? Am I stuck at my location/hotel until I hear something from NHS?
4. Is there an alternative to a kit, where I can go to a physical location and take a test in person? With the results being more immediate, and not dependent on the post?
I've looked at the official guidance for testing/isolation and still have questions. Let me start off with my assumptions, which I'd like to check to see if they're correct:
My assumptions
1. I need to book a Day 2 test via CTM. This booking will result in a test kit being sent to a location/hotel that I specify, prior to my arrival.
2. I need to take this test on or before Day 2, at the location/hotel where I am residing.
3. Once I've completed the test, I need to post it (put it in the mail).
4. I need to stay at my location/hotel until I get my results (via email).
5. If my results are negative, I can continue about my merry and have my holiday.
6. If my results are positive, or if it's found that I've been in contact with someone who has tested positive, I need to remain at the location/hotel and self-isolate for 10 days.
My questions
1. What happens if I arrive at my hotel and the test kit has not arrived?
2. What if I test positive, and the location/hotel can't accommodate my self-isolation time?
3. What happens if there's a delay in getting my results back? Am I stuck at my location/hotel until I hear something from NHS?
4. Is there an alternative to a kit, where I can go to a physical location and take a test in person? With the results being more immediate, and not dependent on the post?
Response by poster: Thanks DarlingBri! On the page you linked, there's this mention:
posted by avoision at 6:25 PM on August 10, 2021
Amber arrivals who have been fully vaccinated must take a pre-departure test before arrival into Scotland, alongside a PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival.The PCR test link goes to CTM's site, and has language suggesting a physical kit will be sent to a location/hotel. Which brings me back to my set of assumptions/questions.
posted by avoision at 6:25 PM on August 10, 2021
The Indie Project recently documented their experiences in England.
posted by oceano at 6:34 PM on August 10, 2021
posted by oceano at 6:34 PM on August 10, 2021
I’m coming to England from an amber country next week, and I can do my day 2 test on site (Gatwick airport for me), and don’t have to quarantine while waiting for the results, I would check if the same is possible in Scotland?
posted by ellieBOA at 9:27 PM on August 10, 2021
posted by ellieBOA at 9:27 PM on August 10, 2021
Here's the page for Scotland.
You have to take a test before you depart and then a test on or before Day 2. You need to book this test before you fly and put the details into your Passenger Locator Form which you will have to complete before entering the UK.
Because you have been fully vaccinated in the USA, you are exempt from quarantine, so you will be free to travel in Scotland as soon as you pass through passport control and clear customs.
You still have to do the Day 2 test, but you don't need to quarantine up to this point, or in anticipation of these results.
Have a good trip.
posted by einekleine at 11:09 PM on August 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
You have to take a test before you depart and then a test on or before Day 2. You need to book this test before you fly and put the details into your Passenger Locator Form which you will have to complete before entering the UK.
Because you have been fully vaccinated in the USA, you are exempt from quarantine, so you will be free to travel in Scotland as soon as you pass through passport control and clear customs.
You still have to do the Day 2 test, but you don't need to quarantine up to this point, or in anticipation of these results.
Have a good trip.
posted by einekleine at 11:09 PM on August 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My assumptions
1. I need to book a Day 2 test via CTM. This booking will result in a test kit being sent to a location/hotel that I specify, prior to my arrival.
This is correct. Scotland use a single booking process for these through CTM, while England asks people to organise their own from a long list of private providers.
2. I need to take this test on or before Day 2, at the location/hotel where I am residing.
Correct.
3. Once I've completed the test, I need to post it (put it in the mail).
Correct
4. I need to stay at my location/hotel until I get my results (via email).
No, not if you are fully vaccinated and can document this with a CDC card. You do not need to isolate at all.
5. If my results are negative, I can continue about my merry and have my holiday.
Correct.
6. If my results are positive, or if it's found that I've been in contact with someone who has tested positive, I need to remain at the location/hotel and self-isolate for 10 days.
Correct
My questions
1. What happens if I arrive at my hotel and the test kit has not arrived?
Contact CTM regarding COVID-19 PCR Test Kits
Phone: +44 (0)207 429 9983
Email: covid.testkit@travelctm.com
2. What if I test positive, and the location/hotel can't accommodate my self-isolation time?
If you are unable to isolate in your location, then contact the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000. You can also try to get in touch with the local public health team for your area if the helpline can't assist.
You should not use public transport if you test positive, so if you don't have your own transportation, don't let anyone from a hotel pressure you to leave by public transport.
3. What happens if there's a delay in getting my results back? Am I stuck at my location/hotel until I hear something from NHS?
Irrelevant because you've been fully vaccinated, but for reference, you would have just had to wait until your results came back. All the PCR tests, I have had were returned within 24-36 hours.
4. Is there an alternative to a kit, where I can go to a physical location and take a test in person? With the results being more immediate, and not dependent on the post?
Some airports have this on arrival, but I don't think Edinburgh do. You cannot use the normal NHS walkin test centres for travel related testing
posted by knapah at 2:42 AM on August 11, 2021 [4 favorites]
1. I need to book a Day 2 test via CTM. This booking will result in a test kit being sent to a location/hotel that I specify, prior to my arrival.
This is correct. Scotland use a single booking process for these through CTM, while England asks people to organise their own from a long list of private providers.
2. I need to take this test on or before Day 2, at the location/hotel where I am residing.
Correct.
3. Once I've completed the test, I need to post it (put it in the mail).
Correct
4. I need to stay at my location/hotel until I get my results (via email).
No, not if you are fully vaccinated and can document this with a CDC card. You do not need to isolate at all.
5. If my results are negative, I can continue about my merry and have my holiday.
Correct.
6. If my results are positive, or if it's found that I've been in contact with someone who has tested positive, I need to remain at the location/hotel and self-isolate for 10 days.
Correct
My questions
1. What happens if I arrive at my hotel and the test kit has not arrived?
Contact CTM regarding COVID-19 PCR Test Kits
Phone: +44 (0)207 429 9983
Email: covid.testkit@travelctm.com
2. What if I test positive, and the location/hotel can't accommodate my self-isolation time?
If you are unable to isolate in your location, then contact the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000. You can also try to get in touch with the local public health team for your area if the helpline can't assist.
You should not use public transport if you test positive, so if you don't have your own transportation, don't let anyone from a hotel pressure you to leave by public transport.
3. What happens if there's a delay in getting my results back? Am I stuck at my location/hotel until I hear something from NHS?
Irrelevant because you've been fully vaccinated, but for reference, you would have just had to wait until your results came back. All the PCR tests, I have had were returned within 24-36 hours.
4. Is there an alternative to a kit, where I can go to a physical location and take a test in person? With the results being more immediate, and not dependent on the post?
Some airports have this on arrival, but I don't think Edinburgh do. You cannot use the normal NHS walkin test centres for travel related testing
posted by knapah at 2:42 AM on August 11, 2021 [4 favorites]
Scotland has different rules than England so follow the guidance at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/ not just the gov.uk site, and English experiences won’t necessarily be indicative of what to expect in Scotland.
I agree with knapah: your assumption 4 is incorrect, and you don’t need to stay in your hotel until you get the results. I used CMT to deliver my test kits to the very rural Scottish location I’m currently staying in, and they were there on time and I had the results within 48 hrs (just be sure to register it properly with a cell phone number if you can, and use a special priority postbox). If you took a test in person instead of using the CMT test kit, it wouldn’t be linked to your passenger locator form and you’d end paying twice. As you won’t be quarantining anyway, it doesn’t really matter if it takes a day or two.
posted by sizeable beetle at 6:15 AM on August 11, 2021 [1 favorite]
I agree with knapah: your assumption 4 is incorrect, and you don’t need to stay in your hotel until you get the results. I used CMT to deliver my test kits to the very rural Scottish location I’m currently staying in, and they were there on time and I had the results within 48 hrs (just be sure to register it properly with a cell phone number if you can, and use a special priority postbox). If you took a test in person instead of using the CMT test kit, it wouldn’t be linked to your passenger locator form and you’d end paying twice. As you won’t be quarantining anyway, it doesn’t really matter if it takes a day or two.
posted by sizeable beetle at 6:15 AM on August 11, 2021 [1 favorite]
i just did this in scotland, and am still here. i arrived the day the restrictions lifted. the 2nd day covid test arrived very quickly before i had arrived even. they actually sent 2 tests which i put down to a typical bureaucratic slip up. i took the test on day 2 (the day you arrive is day 0), posted off the results, and within 36 hours i think, had a txt with the results.
i am a UK passport holder, permanent US resident. the only time i had to show any evidence regarding covid was when i checked in to my initial flight in the US, and i used the ropey verifly app promoted by american airlines to "prove" my compliance with all the steps (i.e. negative covid test within 72 hours prior to departure, submitted UK passenger record locater form, and proof i'd ordered the day 2 test off CTM). no one asked for the actual paperwork.
entrance to the UK was exactly like pre-covid with absolutely zero interaction with a human, all automated.
one thing i disagree on is that you have to essentially self-isolate until the day 2 results are returned to you. i didn't do this as the (lack of) self isolation rules apply from when you arrive, not from when you get the results. this is my interpretation anyway.
posted by iboxifoo at 3:03 PM on August 13, 2021
i am a UK passport holder, permanent US resident. the only time i had to show any evidence regarding covid was when i checked in to my initial flight in the US, and i used the ropey verifly app promoted by american airlines to "prove" my compliance with all the steps (i.e. negative covid test within 72 hours prior to departure, submitted UK passenger record locater form, and proof i'd ordered the day 2 test off CTM). no one asked for the actual paperwork.
entrance to the UK was exactly like pre-covid with absolutely zero interaction with a human, all automated.
one thing i disagree on is that you have to essentially self-isolate until the day 2 results are returned to you. i didn't do this as the (lack of) self isolation rules apply from when you arrive, not from when you get the results. this is my interpretation anyway.
posted by iboxifoo at 3:03 PM on August 13, 2021
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fully-vaccinated passengers arriving from... USA do not have to quarantine or take a day 8 test upon arrival in Scotland. Arrivals will have to carry with them a form of certification to provide details of their vaccine status. For US arrivals, this proof is a CDC card showing you are fully vaccinated, along with proof of residence in the US.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:09 PM on August 10, 2021