International arrivals to UK will need to take pre-departure Covid test

Health secretary announces change to travel rules in bid to control spread of the new Omicron variant

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All international arrivals to the UK will be required to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test to tackle the new Omicron variant, the health secretary has announced. Sajid Javid said that tightened requirements will come into force from 4am on Tuesday 7 December.

Travellers will need to submit evidence of a negative lateral flow or PCR test to enter, which must have been taken a maximum of 48 hours before the departure time. People currently only need to self-isolate until they test negative within two days of arrival.