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Updated travel requirements to the USA
What you need to know if you are travelling to the States
Pirates, as you already know, the USA re-opened their doors on November 8th to UK travellers, provided you are fully vaccinated. If you've booked a trip to the US that is set to leave sometime within the next few months, fear not! Your trip can still go as planned, with just a few more regulations in place.
Details
With the new changes, starting from Monday (6th Dec), travellers from the UK must present a negative test at check-in, which cannot be older than one day (previously three).
What does it mean by "one day"?
According to the CDC's website, the one-day period is not equivalent to 24-hours, but rather you just need to provide a test that was taken the day before. This will make it easier for travellers to take a test and allows for a bit more flexibility regarding testing times.
For example, if your flight is at 3pm on a Wednesday, you could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the Tuesday before.
Which tests are accepted?
In addition to nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)—such as PCR tests—(rapid) antigen tests will continue to be accepted. Self-tests are also accepted as long as they follow the rules, such as supervision and identity proof. See the entire criteria here.
Do I need to do anything else?
Luckily, no further tests have to be carried out after entry, and you won't have to quarantine upon arrival for the time being. Biden's mask mandate has been extended through 18 March, meaning you will be required to wear a mask while in the US in airports, on planes and on other modes of public transportation such as trains and buses.
The only drawbacks we see to these new changes are pricing and time. Luckily, we've got a few recommendations on where to get tested within the time frame and how much it will cost.
Online testing and in-person testing sites
For the pirates who aren't living close to a big city, why not try testing at home? You can take an observed lateral flow 'Fit to Fly' test from £32 and receive your results within 3 hours of taking the test.
Looking to go in person to take your test? Randox offers a few testing sites at airports and popular train stations around the UK, where you can get your test results back within 3 hours. Tests start from £30.
Eurofins also offers a few 'Fit to Fly' options, including both antigen and PCR tests from home or in person. At home test options start from £19.90 while in-person start from £34.90.
Returning to the UK
Before you travel back to the UK, you must:
Book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test (to be taken after you arrive in England by day 2)
Complete a passenger locator form 48 hours before you arrive in England
You must quarantine until you receive your negative test result
Looking for a great holiday in the USA?