Throughout 2021, England and the rest of the United Kingdom took a significantly more cautious approach to the pandemic’s second calendar year than the United States. National lockdowns were reinstated immediately following New Year’s and lasted the whole of the winter, with non-essential stores and restaurants closed until April and hotels locked until May.
While Americans were theoretically permitted to go to England from the United States, they faced a lengthy quarantine period (10 days, with the opportunity to “test out” after day five) and were forced to submit to numerous tests throughout their stay.
With over 90% of its adult population having gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot, England recently relaxed practically all social restrictions and began allowing double-vaccinated Americans to come without quarantine on August 2nd.
My parents arrived in England to visit me on August 5th, three days after the quarantine requirement was lifted (the trip had been booked for months, so to say we got lucky is an understatement! ), so we’ve just completed a crash course in entry requirements and have experienced firsthand what it’s like to visit England in the current climate.
So how is travel in England at the moment? In a nutshell, it’s still rather great.
Entrance to England
To begin, “no quarantine” does not equal “no regulations.”
Having said that, admission to England from the United States is very straightforward for double-vaccinated tourists and essentially boils down to three steps before departure:
To begin, take a COVID-19 test—and pass—three days before traveling to England. Second, schedule and pay for a COVID-19 exam for your second day in England. Third, complete a passenger locating form online.
Then, on or before your second day in England, just take your pre-booked COVID-19 test.
If you’re interested, the regulations for unvaccinated Americans are the same as those for other tourists in the spring: they must test negative prior to departure and then be quarantined for ten days with the option of “testing out” on day five.
It’s worth mentioning that you’ll also need to produce a negative COVID-19 test performed within three days of your return home, but this is a condition for re-entry into the United States of America. Thus, three examinations are necessary for entrance to England, although only two are required. This “return home” test may be obtained in any English pharmacy or even at the airport before your return trip.
Testimonial
While taking two testings may sound scary and/or perplexing, it is rather simple. All the information on the sort of exam you must take prior to leaving can be found here, but rest assured that it is nothing fancy since my parents took theirs at the neighborhood CVS.
As for the exam you’ll need to take once you arrive, the UK Government’s website lists hundreds of licensed providers, some of which provide onsite testing and others who give mail-in tests at a range of costs.
We chose an alternative route and had my parents undergo an “On or Before Day 2” test immediately upon their arrival at Manchester Airport, courtesy of a firm named Collinson. At the present, all of England’s main airports provide this service, which I heartily recommend.
They discovered their findings online the next day and were, therefore, free to enjoy their holiday, sorry, vacation, to the fullest.
Obviously, if you test positive, you’d need to isolate yourself here.
The Interesting Stuff
Now that the technicalities are out of the way, let’s get to the fun part, the actual traveling.
To the major question on your mind, however: Will you receive the “whole experience” if you come to England right now?
Yes, you will.
Everything is open, all limitations on social life have been lifted, and crowds have even returned to Premier League soccer games this past weekend. While masks are no longer required, they are nevertheless advised for use inside, on public transit, and in busy areas. Indeed, as I write this, we are all putting together our costumes for the Ebor Festival races at York Racecourse, an occasion that would have been unthinkable only a few months ago.
We’ve eaten out several times in the previous two weeks, seen innumerable tourist sights, traveled dozens of trains, and generally had a good time. To be honest, the only thing that is different from pre-pandemic living here is that the majority of people are wearing masks in stores and on public transit, and hand sanitizer is practically ubiquitous.
Take it from me: the Yorkshire Dales are every bit as beautiful as you recall them. The English Coast is as magnificent as it was previously. The ancient churches remain fascinating, as are the rural homes.
Oh, and the bars are still serving pints the way they used to.
England has always been an incredible destination and one of the greatest places to get your feet wet with European travel, so it goes without saying that it is the ideal location for your first post-pandemic vacation overseas.