Pre-departure testing for travellers entering the UK, and the need to self-isolate on arrival until receiving a negative PCR result have now been scrapped under new COVID travel rules.
Speaking to MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that several changes would be made to relax the rules that are required to be followed by travellers entering the UK with at least two doses of a COVID vaccine.
The changes came into force from 4am this morning (7 January).
The changes mean that new vaccinated arrivals will no longer have to self-isolate until they get a negative PCR test result, and instead, will have to take a lateral flow test at the end of their second day in the UK, and if that result is positive, they will then require a follow-up PCR.
Unvaccinated passengers will still need to take a pre-departure test and self-isolate for 10 days, ensuring they take a PCR test on day two and day eight.
The Prime Minister explained when he announced these new and more relaxed rules, that previous pre-departure measures were said to be having a limited impact because the Omicron variant is so prevalent.
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He said the change to measures is a way to “live with COVID without letting our guard down”.
From today, fully vaccinated adults & under 18s don't need to take a pre-departure test before entering England.
From 4am Sunday, fully vaccinated adults & over 5s must take a post-arrival lateral flow test. A PCR is needed if they test positive.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 7, 2022
“When the Omicron variant was first identified, we rightly introduced travel restrictions to slow its arrival in our country – but now Omicron is so prevalent, these measures are having limited impact on the growth in cases, while continuing to pose significant costs to our travel industry,” he said in his statement.
Johnson continued: “All these measures are balanced and proportionate ways of ensuring we can live with COVID without letting our guard down.
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“And we can only do this thanks to the biggest and fastest booster campaign in Europe.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he hopes the move will make travel “easier and cheaper” for passengers who are fully-vaccinated.
✈️INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL UPDATE ✈️
We're removing the temporary extra testing measures we introduced last year at the border to slow cases of Omicron coming to the UK. Now Omicron is the dominant variant & is widespread in the UK, these measures are no longer proportionate [1/6]
The decision to relax the rules on travel comes after the travel industry had been consistently calling for the removal of all COVID testing restrictions, arguing that it would have no real impact on Omicron infection rates and would actually help to restore consumer confidence.
Reacting to the news at the time, Charlie Cornish – CEO at Manchester Airport Group (MAG) – said: “Today’s announcement is very positive news and will help restart the recovery of the travel and tourism sector [as] the removal of these temporary measures is important recognition that travel restrictions should not remain in place if they no longer help prevent the spread of the virus.
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“By removing barriers to travel in what is a critical period for forward-booking, passengers, airports, airlines and business across the UK can now plan ahead with confidence.
“We look forward to working with Government on a roadmap for the removal of all remaining restrictions, in order to help our prized aviation sector enjoy a full recovery.”
The Prime Minister said relaxing travel measures is a way to “live with COVID without letting our guard down” / Credit: Manchester Airport
Since the changes were announced on Wednesday, a number of travel companies have now reported a spike in interest for international travel, with easyJet revealing it had seen a boost of almost 200% in bookings, with demand for some destinations up more than 400% week on week.
British Airways also told Sky News that its holidays arm had seen a rise of almost 40% in web searches compared with the previous week.
Flash sale launches with two-for-one tickets to some of Manchester’s biggest gigs
Thomas Melia
Two upcoming Manchester gigs are having a flash sale where you can get your hands on some very limited 2 for 1 tickets.
The two biggest arenas in Manchester are hosting exclusive discounts on two of the biggest upcoming Manchester gigs.
If you’re after tickets to Co-op Live’s offering you’ll have to act fast as they have a legend in attendance, quite literally, as John Legend is set to take to the stage on Thursday 29 May.
It’s a very special gig for the singer-songwriter as he celebrates 20 years of ‘Get Lifted’ where Mr. Legend will be playing tracks from his debut album like ‘Ordinary People’, sprinkling in more hits too.
AO Arena are also running a limited 2 for 1 ticket discount and we’re certain it’s about to get ‘Hot In Herre’ as St. Louis MC Nelly brings his UK tour to this very stage along with a troupe of famous stars.
Anyone interested in finding ‘Where The Party At’ doesn’t have to look much further than Saturday 7 June when Nelly brings his tour to Manchester with Eve, St. Lunatics, Jermaine Dupri and Fabolous.
Co-op Live is running a limited 2 for 1 offer on John Legend tickets.AO Arena have a 2 for 1 flash sale on tickets to see Nelly and special guests.Credit:Publicity Picture (via Supplied) / Flickr
‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’ because these tickets are too good to pass on especially when you get the opportunity to see all these rap legends under the same roof for less than three figures at £90.
And we’re giving you the ‘Green Light’ about John Legend and his upcoming ‘Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour’ when we say these 2 for 1 tickets total at £70, It’s ‘Written In The Stars’.
Anyone after 2 for 1 tickets for John Legend and his upcoming ‘Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour’ can find this exclusive running until 28 May HERE.
And there’s no ‘Dilemma’ in sight as you can get 2 for 1 tickets to see Nelly and his music crew on their ‘Where The Party At’ tour HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group / Publicity Picture (via Supplied) / Flickr
News
Travel warning issued as Manchester prepares for big night of music and football
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year, as two huge music legends take to the stage and the football season draws to a close.
There’s no denying that Manchester‘s social calendar has been getting busier and the summer starts to arrive, and we all know we’ve got a huge weekend of festivals coming up to celebrate the late May bank holiday, but it actually seems like tonight (20 May) may be one of the busiest nights the city has seen all year so far.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging people to make the most of public transport and active travel options, as nearly 100,000 people are expected into the city for two huge concerts and a footballing finale tonight.
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen is set to play to a sold-out Co-op Live, pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her ‘Tension Tour’ to the AO Arena, and Manchester City play their final home game of the season at the Etihad Stadium with an 8pm kick-off.
Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year / Credit: TfGM
Not only is it a big deal that two of music‘s biggest names are performing in the city tonight, but over at the Etihad, it will also be legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s final home game for Manchester City.
At the Etihad Campus, it’s expected that there will be a crossover with City and Springsteen fans arriving at the same time for their respective events, and then with City planning a ‘lap of appreciation’ following the final whistle for De Bruyne’s departure, it’s thought that both the football and music fans could be leaving at a similar time too.
This is why a travel warning has been issued, and as always, it’s advised to ‘plan ahead’.
If possible, TfGM is recommending that it’s best to travel to and from your respective events outside peak times, as this is when the roads and tram network will be at their busiest, so instead, Springsteen fans may wish to take advantage of the 4:30pm early entry at Co-op Live.
Alternatively, there will also be express and shuttle bus services to and from Co-op Live and the Etihad Campus for both Springsteen and City fans, as well as trams – many with ‘double trams’ – operating every six-minutes from the city centre, and several ‘Park & Ride’ options for those wishing to drive.
Those who choose to travel by car, though, it should be noted that there will be a closure on Chapel Street heading towards Salford (westbound), between Blackfriars Road and New Bailey Street, and although a diversion is in place, you may want to plan an alternative route.
For Kylie fans, the AO Arena is served by multiple tram and train lines, and bus networks, all of which will be running throughout the day, as well as being just a 15-minute walk from the heart of Manchester too.
Emily Sergeant -
7th January 2022 
