UK to drop all remaining travel restrictions from this Friday

KUALA LUMPUR – The UK will be lifting all remaining international travel restrictions from 4am this Friday (12pm Saturday Malaysian time) onwards as inbound travellers who do not qualify as vaccinated will no longer need to undergo Covid-19 tests or complete passenger locator forms.

In a statement by the UK government, this removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take pre-departure tests and day two post-arrival tests.

It added that remaining managed hotel quarantine capacity will be fully wound down by month’s end.

The government said the move is in line with the Living with Covid plan, with 86% of the population having received a second dose of the vaccine and 67% of the population with a booster or third dose.

It will also remove the remaining restrictions on international travel for all passengers ahead of the Easter holidays.

The UK Health Security Agency will continue to monitor the prevalence of coronavirus variants and keep international data under review.

Outbound travellers, however, are advised to check GOV.UK travel guidance including Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice to keep up to date with entry requirements of other countries.

“In future, the government’s default approach will be to use the least stringent measures, if appropriate, to minimise the impact on travel as far as possible – given the high personal, economic and international costs border measures can have – and the contingency measures will only be implemented in extreme circumstances,” the statement added.

Last November, Malaysia was ready to hold talks with the UK on opening the vaccinated travel lane (VTL) for its fully vaccinated citizens to enter Malaysia without having to undergo quarantine.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the matter had been conveyed to UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Elizabeth Truss with the consent of Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah in their meeting on November 8.

He also conveyed Malaysia’s hopes that the UK will consider allowing Malaysian travellers who have received the Sinovac vaccine to also enter the UK without having to undergo quarantine. – The Vibes, March 17, 2022