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How have the travel rules changed?

Coronavirus rules for people arriving in the UK have been significantly relaxed.

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Airport passengers

Coronavirus rules for people arriving in the UK have been significantly relaxed.

Here the PA news agency answers seven key questions about what has happened:

When did the changes come into effect?

On Friday at 4am.

– What are the new rules for fully vaccinated travellers?

They do not have to take any coronavirus tests.

– What was the previous situation?

They were required to buy a post-arrival lateral flow test, costing around £20 each.

Passengers at Heathrow
The changes come into force at 4am on Friday (Aaron Chown/PA)

– What about if I am unvaccinated

You do not need to self-isolate after you arrive.

But you must take a pre-departure lateral flow test, and a post-arrival PCR test.

– How is that different to before?

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated were previously required to self-isolate on arrival and take two post-arrival PCR tests.

– What about the passenger locator form?

All arrivals must continue to fill this in.

The UK Government has pledged to simplify the form following complaints it is too complicated.

– How about other countries?

Many popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey do not require fully vaccinated UK holidaymakers to take a test before they arrive.

France requires arrivals to have evidence of a negative test taken within 48 hours of departure, although there is speculation that will be dropped shortly.

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