From this morning (Friday 11 February), all testing requirements are removed for eligible fully vaccinated arrivals and only a simplified passenger locator form (PLF) is needed. Arrivals who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must still take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the UK.
Changes come as children aged 12-15 in England can now prove their vaccination status or proof of prior infection via the NHS Covid Pass.
The Department for Transport said the decision to remove testing requirements “could save the average family around £100”.
Another bonus will come “by the end of February”, the DfT said, when travellers will have an extra day to fill out the PLF before departure.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “As our travel sector rapidly recovers and we accelerate towards a future where we want travel to remain open for good, these rule changes coming ahead of half-term are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.”
Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid added: “As the government goes one step further to reopen the travel sector, the UK will be reconnecting with key global markets, and from today will accept vaccine certificates from an additional 16 countries and territories including China and Mexico.
"This will bring the total list to over 180 countries and territories worldwide.”
The travel industry said anticipation of the changes had helped sales.
Andrew Flintham, Tui UK managing director, said: “There remains a huge pent-up demand for international travel, and we’ve seen strong and sustained booking patterns since the announcement as customers look to go abroad with ease and without the added expensive of testing.
“As a result, bookings for February half-term and Easter holidays are comparable to 2019, with Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cape Verde and the Canaries the most popular destinations. And we expect this summer to be stronger than 2019 for the UK market.”
Sophie Dekkers, easyJet chief commercial officer, added: “We have been encouraged to see strong late bookings in the lead-up to half-term, which is a key time for many of our customers.”
