The United Kingdom has discontinued pre-departure COVID-19 tests for fully vaccinated travellers coming to England. 

The changes will come into effect from January 11 and apply to England only for now.

“From 4am on Sunday 9 January, eligible fully vaccinated travellers and over 5s will be able to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR on or before day 2 of their arrival in England. Lateral flow tests for travel can be booked from Friday 7 January and taken upon arrival, by the end of day 2,” the British government said on its website “eligible fully vaccinated passengers and under 18s will no longer need to take a pre-departure test or self-isolate on arrival in England from 4am on Friday 7 January but must continue to take their post-arrival tests.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the pre-departure test “discourages many from travelling for fear of being trapped overseas and incurring significant extra expense.”

Mr Johnson had met with his cabinet to discuss changes to travel tests, the government has said it will ease COVID testing rules for people without symptoms, who will no longer need to confirm a positive lateral flow test with a PCR.

On Tuesday, Mr Johnson said he hoped the country could “ride out” the current wave, although he acknowledged parts of the NHS would feel temporarily overwhelmed.

Under the existing health regulations, people who get positive lateral flow tests who have no symptoms would need a PCR test from a laboratory to confirm their result. The change will also improve access to PCR tests for people with symptoms and for healthcare, transport and other key workers following problems over test supplies.

Dr Susan Hopkins of the UK Health Security Agency, said, “It is vital anyone who receives a positive day 2 lateral flow test self-isolates immediately and orders a PCR on GOV.UK. All travel PCRs with high amounts of virus are sequenced to help us understand if any new variants are emerging around the world and entering the UK.”

Ms Hopkins urged everyone to face masks where required, wash hands regularly and work from home to help stop the spread of the virus.