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UK govt to abolish negative Covid test rule for China arrivals

Government
Will Payne
20 March 2023

Passengers arriving in the UK from mainland China will no longer need to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test. 

(Credit: Chuttersnap / Unsplash)

(Credit: Chuttersnap/Unsplash)

From 11.59pm on 4 April, the UK government will drop its rule requiring passengers travelling or returning from the country to take a pre-departure test. 

The UK Foreign Office confirmed the change in an updated travel advisory on Friday (17 March).

"Since 5 January 2023, if you travel (or return) from mainland China to England you must take a pre-departure Covid-19 test," it said.

"These rules for passengers travelling to England from mainland China will end 23:59 BST, 4 April. If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the relevant country."