Covid panel agrees to scrap RT-PCR testson arrival from May
Tourists may no longer need to book Covid tests or Hotel Rooms
No More Hotel Accommodation
Thailand plans to scrap a mandatory polymerase chain reaction test on arrival for foreign visitors from next month as the Southeast Asian nation steps up efforts to attract more tourists amid a rebound in global travel.
The RT-PCR tests will be replaced with antigen tests at the airports, Vaccinated travelers will also no longer need to reserve a one-night hotel accommodation to secure visas.
The government have removed the remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions for all passengers since 4am Friday 18 March.
From 4am 18 March no-one entering the UK will need to take tests or complete a passenger locator form
Remaining managed hotel quarantine capacity will be fully stood down from the end of March, making the UK one of the first major economies to end all COVID-19 international travel rules.
The government will remove the remaining restrictions on international travel for all passengers ahead of the Easter holidays.
The Unvaccinated
From 4am Friday 18 March, all COVID-19 travel restrictions will be lifted, including the passenger locator forms for arrivals into UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated. This change removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take a pre-departure test and a the 2 day test for arrivals.
There’s one construction project underway in the UAE right now that may be more interesting than others. Etihad Rail and their freight service is currently operational, used to transport goods and materials across the Emirates, BUT, soon it will be transporting passengers, with rides between Dubai and Abu Dhabi taking just 50 minutes.
A Sustainable Solution
Since opening, the freight trains have carried 36.9 million tonnes of granulated sulphur across the UAE, removing two million truck trips from the roads. This eco efficient system aims to connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, with the freight and passenger service combined set to reduce other transport emissions by 70-80 percent and improve road safety by decreasing congestion.
An Economy Boost
The expansion is set to take the service from the Eastern seaboard of Fujairah to the very edge of Saudi Arabia, transporting 36.5 million passengers a year and provide more than 9,000 jobs to local workers by 2030. The giant project is set to be worth Dh200 billion to the economy, and it’s clear to see the positive impact the service will have on many factors, from the ease of movement between the Emirates, to the reduction in traffic and carbon emissions. You can keep up to date with the Etihad Rail expansion at their Instagram.
Dubai is quickly becoming one of the most travelled to places in the world. Due to it’s stunning beaches, 5-star hotels and luxury lifestyle, holiday goers opt for the golden shores of this Emirate for the ultimate sunny retreat. Due to the increasing heat through the year, tourist periods peak in the cooler months, but March stands out as the perfect time to travel to get the best of both worlds. Find out why below.
The Weather
It’s fair to say the no.1 reason March is a great time to visit Dubai is the weather. With highs of 30 degrees and lows of 20 degrees, you can cash in on the best weather conditions of the year. The start of the year is much less predictable with lows of 14 degrees, while heading into May you’ll get highs of 38 degrees! This perfect transitional period from Winter to Spring offers the best weather, especially if you enjoy laying out in the sun all day, but would rather not sweat in 30 degree heat in the evenings.
March is also relatively reasonable where Hotel prices are concerned. The Christmas and typical Winter period prices are often higher, with people flocking over to catch the winter sun and enjoy New Years in the flash city. On the flip side, once the Easter Holiday period hits, you can expect prices to increase again, when families are most likely to take the opportunity to visit. So, although a pricier time to visit than the hot months past May, it’s a great time to miss those peak prices.
Missing that Easter Holiday surge is probably a key reason as to why many couples may opt for a Dubai getaway in March.. not just to avoid those higher hotel prices, but to avoid the crowds! Opting for a getaway in early to mid March pretty much guarantees to offer a quieter period, post half term and pre Easter break. We’d say this the perfect time to visit if your looking for a romantic getaway.
Passengers who arrive in the United Kingdom after 4:00 am on 11 February must:Complete the public health passenger locator form within 48 hours before travel; immigration officers will ask to see a copy of the completed form (paper or digitally) on arrival.
The new rules mean fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to:
Present a negative COVID-19 test on arrival to the United Kingdom.
Self-isolate upon arrival.
Take a PCR or lateral flow test following arrival in the United Kingdom.
Unvaccinated Travelers
Before travelling to the United Kingdom, all unvaccinated passengers must:
Present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure
Complete the public health passenger locator form within 48 hours prior to travel, a copy of which (paper or digital) will need to be provided to immigration officers upon arrival
Book and pay for two mandated COVID-19 tests to be taken on or before day two as well as on or after day eight of arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival, unless the COVID-19 PCR test is positive. If the PCR test is positive, individuals must self-isolate for 10 full days. The day the test is taken is considered day zero. The self-isolation period can be reduced at the start of day six if the day five and six COVID-19 tests are both negative and taken 24 hours apart.
From Sunday 9 January 2022, double jabbed travellers are no longer required to take a PCR test on or before day two of their return to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can now book and pay for a cheaper lateral flow test to be taken on or before day two, (you need to book and pay for a test from one of the government-approved providers, NHS Test and Trace tests won’t be accepted for international travel.) If the result is negative, you can continue as normal, if positive you must follow standard self-isolation rules. Any travelers returning from red-list countries must quarantine in a goverment approved hotel for 10 days.
Unvaccinated Travellers
Rules for unvaccinated travellers that are returning to England, Wales and Northern Ireland from non-red list countries remain the same. You must take a pre-departure test before flying back into the country. You must book and pay for a PCR test to be taken on or before day two of their return, and on day eight. You must isolate for 10 days unless they pay for an extra Test to Release to be taken on day five, if the result is negative, you can then end your quarantine period early.
From January 2nd 2022 travellers to the UAE from the UK are now required to present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure. NHS certificates and home testing kits are not accepted. Children aged below 12 not required to take a PCR test to travel to the UAE.
Travelling to Abu Dhabi from the UK
If you are fully vaccinated and flying to Abu Dhabi, you must be tested on arrival in Abu Dhabi airport — after baggage collection. There is no need to quarantine but as the UK removed Abu Dhabi from the green list you must take another PCR test on day four and day eight.
If you are unvaccinated you must be tested on arrival in Abu Dhabi airport, and then quarantine for ten days. You must then take a PCR test on day nine.
PCR tests are free on arrival. PCR tests on day four and day eight, or day nine if you are unvaccinated, are free at Seha screening centres, otherwise they cost Dh50.
Travelling from the UAE to UK
Fully Vaccinated Passengers
Receiving a negative PCR result before boarding the plane is no longer a requirement for flights to the UK for passengers who are fully vaccinated.
To travel to the UK you must book and pay for a government-approved Covid-19 test for the second day, this can be a lateral flow test – NHS tests will not be accepted. You must also fill in the passenger locator form to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in UK.
You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate. If your lateral flow test result is positive, you must also take a PCR test. These rules also apply to unvaccinated people who are under 18 or who are medically exempt from taking the vaccine.
Unvaccinated Passengers
Unvaccinated passengers must present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of travel.
You must also book and pay for a government – approved Covid-19 test for the second day of your stay. This can be either a PCR test or a lateral flow test. You must also fill in the passenger locator form to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in UK.
After you arrive in England you must quarantine at home or the place you are staying for 10 days, and take a Covid PCR test on day 2 and on or after day 8. If you are in the UK for fewer than 10 days then you must quarantine the entire time.
