OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Airport transit in the UK

[Flig]

This thread is about the NEW regulations that go into effect tomorrow, September 6th.

Yep, and UK transit requirements are still the same, at least as of 20 mins ago. Thought that testing still being required in England, even for a connecting flight where one does not go through passport control, might be pertinent to this discussion.

I would hate to see a pilgrim all squared away for Spain only to be turned back at check-in because they had not considered testing requirements in a country they are not traveling to, only through.

 

[Albertagirl]

I shall be transiting the UK on Friday morning, and have scheduled an antigen test on Wednesday morning, as a requirement of that transit. But I don't think I could ever have sorted this out without the assistance of a member of this forum who is resident in the UK. The information is available here:

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

I found it challenging to clarify that a test: antigen or PCR is required to transit Heathrow airport, as well as for persons whose destination is the UK.

 

[Mycroft]

I shall be transiting the UK on Friday morning, and have scheduled an antigen test on Wednesday morning, as a requirement of that transit. But I don't think I could ever have sorted this out without the assistance of a member of this forum who is resident in the UK. The information is available here:

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

I found it challenging to clarify that a test: antigen or PCR is required to transit Heathrow airport, as well as for persons whose destination is the UK.

I, also, am getting more confused as about which test. PCR 72 hours before flight (with turn around times taking 3-5 days--useless) and 48 hours for antigen, but heard that the antigen test has to have 97% specificity and 85% Sensitivity (or something like that), and not all antigen tests go that high. Some lab reps couldn't even tell me what their S&S % are. So I am going in circles. Anyone know more?
And what about those multi-packs I read about the other week on the posts that we can carry with us and test in the various countries before leaving? What are the brand names so I can check for S&S?

 

[Corned Beef]

Reading the advice on the Gov website, I'm pleased to see that those transiting airside through England will not be required to take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8.

When you are on the beach in southern Europe, a UK PCR on day 2 and day 8 would be a bit much. But it is generous of them to waive this requirement.

 

[NanaEL]

I shall be transiting the UK on Friday morning, and have scheduled an antigen test on Wednesday morning, as a requirement of that transit. But I don't think I could ever have sorted this out without the assistance of a member of this forum who is resident in the UK. The information is available here:

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

I found it challenging to clarify that a test: antigen or PCR is required to transit Heathrow airport, as well as for persons whose destination is the UK.

Thank you for this!! I will be going through LHR (2 hour layover before departing to Rome) - did you schedule the 2-day test somewhere in England even though you knew you would not be there? Did you pay for it??

 

[NanaEL]

Reading the advice on the Gov website, I'm pleased to see that those transiting airside through England will not be required to take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8.

When you are on the beach in southern Europe, a UK PCR on day 2 and day 8 would be a bit much. But it is generous of them to waive this requirement.

Where do you see that the day 2 test is waived??? The Locator Form seems to require some proof that we are registered for one. SOOOO confusing

 

[miguel_gp]

Where do you see that the day 2 test is waived??? The Locator Form seems to require some proof that we are registered for one. SOOOO confusing

Taken from full article at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronav...nce-for-passengers#transiting-through-england

Basic summary is that you need a negative COVID-test before departure to England and you must complete the Passenger Locator Form. Whether transiting airside or landside you do not have to quarantine, take a day 2 or day 8 test provided that you do not leave the airport or if departing another airport in the England you travel directly to that airport from your arrival airport. According to the instructions above, with landside transit the Passenger Locator Form allows you to select an exemption reason of "Transit Exemption".

 

[NanaEL]

View attachment 108603

Taken from full article at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronav...nce-for-passengers#transiting-through-england

Basic summary is that you need a negative COVID-test before departure to England and you must complete the Passenger Locator Form. Whether transiting airside or landside you do not have to quarantine, take a day 2 or day 8 test provided that you do not leave the airport or if departing another airport in the England you travel directly to that airport from your arrival airport. According to the instructions above, with landside transit the Passenger Locator Form allows you to select an exemption reason of "Transit Exemption".

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

 

[Albertagirl]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I think @miguel_gp has sorted this out for you, as he did for me. I am getting an antigen test here in Calgary on Wednesday, flying out of Calgary Thursday evening, and transiting airside at Heathrow on Friday. My test cost me $80. Can (approx.), paid in advance. Other places in Calgary are charging more.















2mig

 

[miguel_gp]

I am getting an antigen test here in Calgary on Wednesday, flying out of Calgary Thursday evening, and transiting airside at Heathrow on Friday.

That's come round quickly @Albertagirl. Have a great trip and Buen Camino.

 

[Corned Beef]

My test cost me $80. Can (approx.), paid in advance.

Seems an odd way to run a airline hub. Getting people to pay to sit in airport for a few hours.

My (Galician) brother-in-law had the same issue when taking a "cheap" flight from Zurich to Madrid which transited through an English airport. He found out about the test after he paid the non-refundable fee. So he got another ticket and flew direct to Madrid.

Seems that "cheap" tickets based on transiting a third country are not the bargain they appear. Just fly direct where you can.

 

[SkyDancer]

I shall be transiting the UK on Friday morning, and have scheduled an antigen test on Wednesday morning, as a requirement of that transit. But I don't think I could ever have sorted this out without the assistance of a member of this forum who is resident in the UK. The information is available here:

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

I found it challenging to clarify that a test: antigen or PCR is required to transit Heathrow airport, as well as for persons whose destination is the UK.

My Antigen test was accepted, thank goodness! I made sure it met the perametres though.

 

[Albertagirl]

Seems an odd way to run a airline hub. Getting people to pay to sit in airport for a few hours.

My (Galician) brother-in-law had the same issue when taking a "cheap" flight from Zurich to Madrid which transited through an English airport. He found out about the test after he paid the non-refundable fee. So he got another ticket and flew direct to Madrid.

Seems that "cheap" tickets based on transiting a third country are not the bargain they appear. Just fly direct where you can.

This test is required by the government of the UK to protect its citizens from cases of the COVID-19 pandemic being brought into the country through an international airport. It is the responsibility of the public health authorities in each country to decide what precautions must be taken in such a time. All that I need do is to spend a small portion of the cost of my travel to insure that I, and those around me, are safe and to obey the regulations of the country where I am transiting. I am pleased to know that the others on the plane with me have been similarly tested and that my health, also, is being protected.

 

[Corned Beef]

This test is required by the government of the UK

The comment may have come across as anti-vax but the observation was more about the future economics of flying.

Heathrow's pitch is as a transatlantic hub but it seems those days will be numbered if there is a financial penalty for using Heathrow (and the other London airports) to transit if direct flights to Madrid are available.

 

[briza]

I will be on holiday in France from the 11 September 2021. To get in to France I show my “Covid 19 double vaccination passport” and a “-engagement-sur-l-honneur-orange-version-anglaise” form which you fill in with a ball point pen.


But on return I have to

1. take a PCR test 72 hours before travelling back which may cause problems because I do not speak French and my ferry sails back on Sunday at 18:00 hrs.
   
2. complete a on line “Passenger Location Form” 48 hours before returning. Download and print the form. I do not have a smart mobile telephone and will be on a campsite.
   
3. Take a 2 day test in the UK and get the results within 48 hours. This is a tight time scale if you consider that I will only be travelling home from Newhaven ferry port the next day via the M25 etc.

I have little trust in the government. If you consider the simplistic of getting into France and the complex impossible procedure of getting back home in the UK do they have any common sense between them.

 

[henrythedog]

I will be on holiday in France from the 11 September 2021. To get in to France I show my “Covid 19 double vaccination passport” and a “-engagement-sur-l-honneur-orange-version-anglaise” form which you fill in with a ball point pen.


But on return I have to

1. take a PCR test 72 hours before travelling back which may cause problems because I do not speak French and my ferry sails back on Sunday at 18:00 hrs.
   
2. complete a on line “Passenger Location Form” 48 hours before returning. Download and print the form. I do not have a smart mobile telephone and will be on a campsite.
   
3. Take a 2 day test in the UK and get the results within 48 hours. This is a tight time scale if you consider that I will only be travelling home from Newhaven ferry port the next day via the M25 etc.

I have little trust in the government. If you consider the simplistic of getting into France and the complex impossible procedure of getting back home in the UK do they have any common sense between them.

1. You’ve got the three days prior to the day of return to get a test - so you’ve got Thursday to Saturday. You only need a lateral flow test to return from France. A PCR is ‘recommended’ from Spain but not mandatory. Any test has to meet the sensitivity criteria which, unless you’re buying one from a suitcase at a market, it will. Someone at your campsite will know where you can be tested.
2. No smart answer to that - the process is online, but there must be others in a similar position. Google?
3. You can order a day 2 test online to be sent to your home address so it awaits your arrival. You must have booked and paid for the day 2 test before travelling back as the reference number thereof is needed to complete the entry documentation.

 

[jblaskovits]

I shall be transiting the UK on Friday morning, and have scheduled an antigen test on Wednesday morning, as a requirement of that transit. But I don't think I could ever have sorted this out without the assistance of a member of this forum who is resident in the UK. The information is available here:

[Withdrawn] Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.

www.gov.uk

I found it challenging to clarify that a test: antigen or PCR is required to transit Heathrow airport, as well as for persons whose destination is the UK.

Have a wonderful camino Albertagirl! I have so enjoyed seeing you on the Zoom calls the last few months. Stay safe.