The traffic light system, which includes the red, amber and green country lists, which the UK government has been applying for a long time within the scope of Covid-19 travel restrictions, has left its place to a new regulation as of 4 October. As we mentioned in our previous newsletter, people who will enter the UK directly from Turkey will no longer be subject to mandatory hotel quarantine. Nevertheless, what are the new travel rules or does the quarantine obligation continue? We will be sharing in detail in the rest of this article.
The rule behind the new travel system is simple: being fully vaccinated and travelling a minimum of 14 days after the second dose.
As you know, the UK government approved the vaccination programs of a limited number of countries such as European Union countries and the USA. Unfortunately, Turkey was not among these countries, which meant even people who had received a double dose in Turkey could not overcome travel barriers in the UK.
We have perfectly splendid news on this subject. Yesterday, October 7, 2021, according to the statement, as of October 11, the vaccination certificate of the passengers who were vaccinated in Turkey will be accepted. According to this;
- Passengers with 2 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, or a single dose of Janssen vaccine and 14 days past their last vaccination are only subject to the new rules. The day of vaccination is not included in the 14 days. People who have recently had Covid and have become immune are also subject to these rules.
- Passengers who meet the above conditions can enter the UK with a digital Covid certificate by purchasing the 2nd day test and filling out the travel form. We will be explaining in detail.
- For passengers who have 2 doses of vaccine (,f 14 days have passed since their second dose) the obligation to quarantine for 10 days, to have PCR test within 72 hours of travel and to take the test on the 8th day will be lifted as of 11 October.
- Passengers who want to prove their vaccination status must have a Digital Vaccination Certificate showing the following details in English; name & surname, date of birth, brand and manufacturer of the vaccine administered, the date the dose was administered for each dose, and the country in which the vaccine was administered.
So, what does it mean that the vaccines applied in Turkey are valid?
Good news, especially for those wishing to travel to the UK on a visitor visa or other short-term visas.
Since the vaccines made in Turkey were not accepted during the period when Turkey was on the amber list, it was obligatory for the traveling passengers to stay in quarantine at the address they declared for 10 days. However, announcing that their approved vaccination lists are being updated, the UK government has indirectly stated that it has opened its doors to visitor visas with the new travel rules.
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Within the scope of the new travel rules, countries are listed in two separate categories; these are the countries on the red list and the rest of the world. Since Turkey is no longer on the red list, we will talk about entry requirements for the countries in ‘rest of the world’ list.
If you have been fully vaccinated and are traveling to the UK, consider the following rules.
Things to do before your trip:
– Buying the Day 2 test, this test must be applied on the second day of your entry to the country.
– Completing a passenger locator form (PLF) within 48 hours of your entry to the country.
Things to do after entering the UK:
– Applying the Day 2 day test you have bought before the trip on the second day of your arrival.
Note: Even if you are staying in the UK for less than 2 days, you still must purchase this test and apply if you are still in the UK on the second day of your arrival.
You can find the list of countries of which vaccination programs are accepted by the UK.
If you have not yet received your second dose of vaccine or have never been vaccinated, the following rules apply when traveling to the UK.
Things to do before your trip:
– Have a PCR test and get a Covid-19 negative result within 3 days of your arrival in the UK.
– Buying Day 2 and 8 tests
– Completing the passenger travel form.
Things to do after entering the UK:
– To stay in quarantine for 10 days at your home or at the address you declared to stay
– To apply the tests that you have bought before the trip on the second and eighth days of your arrival.
If you have been to one of the red list countries in the last 10 days, you may be subject to different rules from the above. You can find the link of the countries on the red list below.
Frequently asked Questions:
• Can I apply for a visitor visa?
You can apply for a visitor visa and after receiving it you can travel to the UK without quarantine if you prove that you have a double dose of vaccination.
• Are the travel rules valid for individuals under the age of 18?
These rules apply to all children and teenagers over the age of 4, even if they can prove they have been vaccinated. E.g., Buying and applying the Day 2 test.
• I am fully vaccinated, but in different countries. Will I still be treated as a fully vaccinated?
Passengers with different doses of vaccines in countries approved by the Home Office are subject to UK travel rules for those who have been vaccinated.
• I had a single dose of vaccination, what rules apply?
Persons who have received a single dose of vaccination and have not been in one of the countries on the red list in the last 10 days before their trip are subject to the rules in the article “If you have not yet received your second dose of vaccination or have never been vaccinated”.
• Do I have to stay in quarantine until the second day test?
If you have been vaccinated with a double dose and your vaccination and country is accepted by the UK, your obligation is only to apply this test on the second day.
Otherwise, if you do not have a vaccine or your vaccines are not accepted, you must remain in quarantine for 10 days.
• I will stay less than two days, do I still need to take a test?
Yes, even if you stay for less than two days, you still need to buy a test.
• Can I enter the country even if I have had Covid-19?
There is no restriction on this topic unless you are not trying to travel during your illness.