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Travel to the uk during covid-19: what you need to know before you go.

Editor’s Note: Coronavirus cases are in flux across the globe. Health officials caution that staying home is the best way to stem transmission until you’re fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on October 7.

If you’re planning to travel to the UK, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The United Kingdom has seen one of the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 in the world, resulting in multiple lockdowns. Earlier in 2022, the Omicron coronavirus variant spread rapidly across the UK.

Cases have since dropped and Covid restrictions have since been removed across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

There are currently no Covid-related restrictions on international travel to the UK.

What’s on offer

In London, the UK has one of the world’s greatest cities. But beyond the architectural marvels and nightlife of the capital, there is much to explore – the rugged peaks of the Scottish Highlands, distant Welsh lakes and the wide sweep of Cornish beaches, for starters, plus historic towns and cities such as Bath, Oxford and Harrogate.

Anyone can enter the UK without any additional testing or quarantine requirements, regardless of vaccination status.

What are the restrictions?

Arrivals no longer need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form before arriving in the UK.

Red list countries

The UK divides destinations into “red” and “green” destinations. At present, there are no countries on the “red” list.

Previously, certain arrivals from red list countries were required to quarantine in designated hotels, but the infrastructure for hotel quarantine was “fully stood down” at the end of March 2022.

Back in March, the UK government said it will “maintain a range of contingency measures in reserve” which could be activated if concerning coronavirus variants emerge.

Green list countries

Any destination not on the red list is considered green – so currently all destinations are green – but that doesn’t automatically mean all green destinations will permit all travelers from the UK.

Anyone – regardless of vaccination status – from green list countries can enter the UK without any additional testing or quarantine requirements.

For full UK government guidance on traveling to the UK, see here .

Other developments:

International and domestic cruising is operational in the UK – see government guidance here and check the specific cruise line for regulations.

If you test positive for Covid-19 while in the UK, you are no longer legally required to self-isolate. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all recommend people who test positive stay home and avoid others.

Some airlines flying into England no longer require passengers or crew to wear masks , but it depends on the specific route so you should check before boarding.

What’s the Covid situation?

The UK has suffered considerably during Covid-19 and cases peaked earlier this year following the emergence of Omicron. Cases have since fallen.

There have been over 23.9 million Covid cases and more than 208,200 deaths in the UK as of October 7. Over 79.2% of the population has received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

What can visitors expect?

There are no longer Covid restrictions in the UK.

Useful links

England Covid guidance

Wales Covid guidance

Scotland Covid guidance

Northern Ireland Covid guidance

Our recent coverage

The Derry-Coleraine railway in Northern Ireland and the West Highland Railway in Scotland made our list of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys.

The West Highland Railway was also spotlighted in our round-up of the world’s most incredible railway routes.

Speaking of trains, London’s long-awaited Elizabeth line is now open , and you can also read our report on London’s abandoned Down Street station here .

The town of Clovelly in southwest England made our round-up of the most beautiful towns in Europe .

You can also check out our list of the top places to visit in the UK , or if it’s England specifically you’re interested in, here are some of the loveliest spots in the country . You’ll find our list of Scotland’s top spots here , and you can read a travel love story that began in Scotland here .

CNN’s Julia Buckley and Francesca Street contributed to this report

Show all

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What you need to know about England's new travel system

Oct 15, 2021 • 4 min read

England is streamlining its international travel rules © travellinglight / Alamy Stock Photo

England streamlined its COVID-19 border rules in early October, replacing the green, amber and red traffic light policy with a "new clearer travel system" and scrapping the two-test rule for people who are fully vaccinated. Traveling or returning to England? Here's what you need to know.

On the back of the UK's successful vaccination campaign, a new system for international travel is now in place. Under the new policy, the previous traffic light system is replaced by a single list of red countries and territories that are considered high-risk in the context of COVID-19. People coming from red-list countries are subject to stricter rules including quarantine. Anywhere not on the red list is considered low-risk and therefore approved for non-essential travel.

New testing requirements

Testing requirements are reduced for most fully vaccinated arrivals from non-red list countries, provided they were vaccinated in the UK, the US, the EU or one of these  50-plus countries and territories . These arrivals will no longer need to take a pre-departure travel test when traveling to England.

TRAVEL UPDATE🔊: we’re making testing easier for travel 🧳💉 From Mon 4 Oct, if you’re fully vax you won’t need a pre-departure test before arrival into England from a non-red country and from later in Oct, will be able to replace the day 2 PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow. — Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 17, 2021

However, these passengers will need to book and pay for a day two COVID-19 test  to be taken after arrival in England.

Starting on October 24, full vaccinated passengers and most people under the age of 18⁠—arriving from countries not on the red list⁠—will be able to take a cheaper lateral flow test, instead of a PCR test, on day two of their arrival. The test are available through private providers, which will be listed on gov.uk , and can be booked starting October 22. The move comes just in time for those returning from half-term breaks. 

Travelers will have to take a photo of the test and a booking reference from the private provider, and send it to the provider to verify their test results. Passengers can also book a test at some airports. If a test shows a positive result, the traveler will need to self-isolate and take a PCR test to confirm.

Red list rules

Only British and Irish citizens or UK residents may return to England from red list  countries, but as of October 11, that list has been considerably reduced, from nearly 50 countries to just seven: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. "With half-term and winter sun around the corner, we’re making it easier for families and loved ones to reunite, by significantly cutting the number of destinations on the red list, thanks in part to the increased vaccination efforts around the globe," transport secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement. "Restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to rebuilding our economy and levelling up this country. With less restrictions and more people traveling, we can all continue to move safely forward together along our pathway to recovery."

Entry is denied for everyone else from a red-list location unless traveling for essential reasons. Arrivals from red-list countries, including returning citizens, must take a pre-departure test and then quarantine in a government-designated hotel for 10 days at a cost of £2285 per person, as well as taking two more PCR tests on days two and eight of their quarantine period.

Unvaccinated travelers

Under the new policy, unvaccinated passengers need to take tests before departure, on days two and eight of arriving/returning to the UK and will also need to quarantine for 10 days.

Read more: Do you need a visa to go to the United Kingdom?

Traveling with kids

As of mid-October, anyone under the age of 18 traveling from the 50-some countries with UK-approved vaccination programs is exempt from taking a pre-trip test, whether they're vaccinated or not, and all children under the age of 11 are exempt as well, no matter where they're traveling from. 

Children ages 11 to 17 traveling from red list countries have to take a COVID-19 test within three days of their arrival in England. Upon arrival, those aged 5 to 17 are required to quarantine for 10 days and take two tests, while those ages 4 and under are just required to quarantine. All passengers will need to fill in a passenger locator form ahead of travel.

The rest of the UK

Scotland , Northern Ireland and Wales use the same travel system as England, keeping the red list and merging the current green and amber travel lists into one to determine entry policies. Each government's website has more details.   

For more information on the UK's entry requirements, see here .

You might also like: How to get around in England Canada to require vaccinations for travelers 12 years old and over Visiting France with family? Children over the age of 12 must now have a health pass

This article was first published Aug 5, 2021 and updated Oct 15, 2021.

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United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the United Kingdom. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the United Kingdom.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in the United Kingdom.

If rabies exposures occur while in the United Kingdom, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

Avoid bug bites

Learn more about tick-borne encephalitis at your destination .

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in the United Kingdom, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although the United Kingdom is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in the United Kingdom include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call the United Kingdom’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in the United Kingdom, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in the United Kingdom.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for United Kingdom for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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United Kingdom Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to the United Kingdom

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

United Kingdom entry details and exceptions

Ready to travel, find flights to the united kingdom, find stays in the united kingdom, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

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Can I travel to the United Kingdom from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Kingdom.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the United Kingdom without restrictions.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the United Kingdom without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter the United Kingdom?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the United Kingdom.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in the United Kingdom?

Mask usage in the United Kingdom is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in the United Kingdom?

Restaurants in the United Kingdom are open. Bars in the United Kingdom are .

• WEATHER ALERT Excessive Heat Watch Full Story
• HEALTH & FITNESS

Will COVID FLiRT variant lead to summer surge? Tracking travel concerns as cases rise

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Are we heading toward a summer COVID-19 surge? US health officials are keeping a very close eye on the latest FLiRT variant since the UK reported a rise in hospitalizations.

It's a combination of various omicron descendants, and Dr. Daniel Kijner, an emergency room physician at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, said there has been an increase in cases.

"Luckily, morbidity and mortality have remained the same," he said.

In the last three weeks, there's been a rise in COVID-related illnesses, according to Kijner. In fact, he ended up testing positive himself.

"This time, the variation was a little bit of more muscle aches, and I did have loss of taste and smell, but just very briefly," he said.

The most common symptoms are sore throat, congestion, and fatigue. Case counts in Los Angeles County have remained below 100 cases per week since April.

In June, it jumped to more than 150 cases per week, which is an undercount. Overall, hospitalizations remain lower than this time last year.

While FLiRt is much milder than previous variants, it can still be dangerous to people with various health conditions.

"Heart problems, lung problems, chronic, immune-compromised such as cancer. If you're going to be out in public, I would wear a mask," said Kijner.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says infections appear to be growing in 39 US states and territories.

While experts say they're expecting a lot of summer travel, many people plan to stay close to home and will continue with safe practices.

"A lot of my meetings can happen over the phone and through Zoom," said Robert De La Torre.

Whatever holiday plans you have, Kijner suggest you be very aware.

"It's very contagious," he said.

Related Topics

• LOS ANGELES
• CORONAVIRUS
• COVID 19 VARIANT
• COVID 19 PANDEMIC

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

What are the latest Covid rules? New variant threatens UK summer fun

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The UK could see higher levels of hospitalisation due to a new Covid variant that’s spreading quickly.

Hospital admissions rose 24% in the last week alone, with many attributing the spike to new variant KP.3.

The variant is a subvariant of the highly contagious Omicron strain, and along with other variants makes up for over 69% of cases in the US .

In April, a group of new virus strains known as the FLiRT variants (based on the technical names of their two mutations) emerged.

KP.3, accounted for 33.1% of infections in the United States by June 8 – and now it’s hitting the UK.

Virologist Professor Lawrence Young of Warwick University told i: ‘This is a wakeup call. The virus hasn’t gone away and is certainly not a seasonal infection.

‘A combination of new, more infectious virus variants and waning immunity is very likely contributing to these increased levels of infection.

‘The hope is that this will not result in a big wave of infection but we need to keep a close watch.’

The UK Health Security Agency said in May: ‘UKHSA is continuing to monitor data relating to new variants both in the UK and internationally, assessing their severity and the ongoing effectiveness of vaccines. There is no change to the wider public health advice at this time.

What are the symptoms of the new KP.3 variant?

• Fever or chills
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Muscle aches
• Difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell
• ‘Brain fog’ (feeling less wakeful and aware)
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diahorrea, vomiting)

‘At these early stages our scientists at the  Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC)  are busy growing a stock of the JN.1 variant in our high containment facilities, so that we can begin testing.’

In March, a new study concluded that Covid-19  most likely  originated in a lab .

The origin of the pandemic has long been contentious. Some believe the virus was a ‘ zoonotic spillover event ’ and spread from animals to humans, possibly at the wet market in Wuhan,  China , where the disease was first reported.

Where can I get a Covid test?

According to Gov.UK , it is no longer possible to order free rapid lateral flow or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from the NHS online.

Both types of Covid tests can still be purchased in shops and pharmacies, including online.

People with underlying health conditions, or those who work in healthcare or hospices, may still be able to get free lateral flow tests from a pharmacy.

What are the latest Covid rules?

No Covid restrictions are in force in the UK in 2024, but the Government still advises people to stay at home after testing positive.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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Election latest: Farage urged to 'get a grip' of Reform UK amid racism row

John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, has urged Nigel Farage to "get a grip" of Reform UK after a racism row involving the prime minister. It comes as a Reform UK canvasser who used a racial slur against Rishi Sunak called himself a "total fool" and said he has learned his lesson.

Saturday 29 June 2024 12:10, UK

• General Election 2024

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• Farage urged to 'get a grip' of Reform UK
• Reform canvasser in PM racism row says he was 'a total fool'
• Faultlines:   Eight-hour school runs and kids too hungry to sleep - the families caught up in housing 'social cleansing'
• Politics at Jack and Sam's : The last weekend
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges: Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid | Reform | SNP
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage:  Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts:  Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo
• How to watch election on Sky News

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

With under a week to go, the Tories and Labour have taken a drop, while support for Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats is on the rise.

Read more about the tracker  here .

Sir Keir Starmer today refused to say whether David Lammy would be his foreign secretary under a Labour government.

Speaking to reporters, the Labour leader said he will "work hard until 10 o'clock on Thursday" to get votes, adding: "I'm not going to announce anybody who may be in a cabinet after Thursday if we win."

Asked if he was concerned about the prospect of a super-majority, Sir Keir said that "the numbers are really tight, it'll go down to a few hundred in many constituencies".

He added: "We have to win every vote, earn the trust across the country."

More from Sir Keir Starmer, who has hit out at "desperate" and "ridiculous" Conservative attempts to portray Labour as a risk to national security.

Speaking on a campaign visit, he told reporters he had been granted access to sensitive intelligence by the government so it was wrong for ministers to now claim he would be a danger.

He said: "I think this is desperate stuff from the Tories. We are the party that were the founder member of NATO. 

"If you go to Brussels and see the treaty there for NATO, it's a Labour secretary of state that signed that and our support for NATO has been unshakeable since then.

"On the nuclear deterrent, we're clear about the triple lock that we've put in place, not only the current deterrent but the future upgrades of that deterrent and the jobs that go with it.

"We have also - and this is why it is really desperate from the Tories - united with this government, the Tory government, on really important issues of national security. As a result of that, they have given me high-level sensitive briefings, so much do they trust us on national security. 

"I'm very glad that they have and I do thank the defence secretary for facilitating that, particularly during Ukraine when they gave us very regular, very sensitive briefings.

"To now turn around and make this ridiculous claim just shows how desperate they have become going into this election. It does them no good."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged Nigel Farage to "set the tone" in his party after a racism row involving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Speaking to Sky News at Aldershot Football Club in Hampshire, Sir Keir was asked what he believes attracts people to joining a party like Reform UK.

He said: "Leadership accepts the culture and the tone of an organisation, in this case a political party.

"It's no good Nigel Farage after the event saying that he doesn't agree with certain comments. 

"You set the culture, you set the tone. That's what leadership is about. 

"And that's why I set about changing the Labour Party four and a half years ago. And that took an act of leadership, steely determination, so that we could ensure the Labour Party going into this election is a changed Labour Party."

Sir Keir went on to insist that Mr Farage is "not a spectator" - but is the leader of Reform UK: "Leaders have to set the tone."

He added: "Leaders have to set the tone, set the standards and take the action so that people know in advance what is acceptable and what's not acceptable. 

"I think that's a very important part of leadership."

Pledges and promises are coming thick and fast from every party as the general election approaches. 

Struggling to keep up with who is saying what?

Here is a summary of where the main parties stand on major issues.

For a more in-depth look at what each party has pledged, scour our  manifesto checker ...

By David Blevins , senior Ireland correspondent

Fermanagh and South Tyrone is the UK's most westerly constituency and its most marginal.

Sinn Fein won the seat by just four votes in 2010 and by a mere 57 in 2019.

Witness to one of the worst terrorist atrocities - Enniskillen's Poppy Day bombing in 1987 - it has been scarred by the past.

But at Erne Wrestling Club in Irvinestown, they refuse to submit to those divisions.

Coach Alex Edgar said: "Activities like this bring everybody together and religion doesn't mean anything.

"It's all about having fun and at the end of the day, it gets them out of the house and keeps them fit and active."

One topic many people will be watching closely throughout the general election campaign is how parties are approaching LGBTQ+ issues.

Below, Sky News has wrapped up everything you need to know...

By Dr Hannah Bunting, Sky News elections analyst, and Joely Santa Cruz, data journalist

This week the party leaders made their final pleas to voters.

The Labour and Lib Dem leaders visited some of their most ambitious targets so far, while the prime minister took a scattergun approach, fighting for votes in even some of the safest of Tory seats.

This campaign is being fought on new electoral boundaries, with many constituencies undergoing significant changes since 2019.

For the purposes of this analysis, we use notional results based on  calculations by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher , honorary professors at the University of Exeter, which estimate the 2019 election seat results if they had taken place on the new constituency boundaries.

You can read more from our experts in the link below...

By Megan Harwood-Baynes , digital investigations reporter

Reform and Labour have bought up advertising on two major national news sites in a bid to sway voters in the remaining days before the general election.

When looking at MailOnline, Nigel Farage's stern face beams down from both the main banner and the left of the site.

Their manifesto - which have they been calling their "contract" with the public - is pasted down the side of the news website.

Meanwhile, Labour, perhaps in a bid to emulate 1992's "It's the Sun Wot Won It" front page, have pasted their advertising all over The Sun online.

With a countdown to 4 July, they also bemoan "14 years of Tory chaos".

Crucially, neither of these papers have openly endorsed a candidate, although a regular reader may be forgiven for not noticing this nuance.

In 1992, The Sun claimed credit for the victory of the Conservative Party, after openly campaigning to drive voters away from the then-Labour leader Neil Kinnock.

It is regularly cited as demonstrative of the influence the tabloid press could have over politicians and elections.

So far, the Daily Telegraph has come out in support of the Tories, while the Guardian, Daily Mirror, Economist, New Statesman and Daily Record have all backed the Labour Party.

The Times, The Sun and the Daily Mail have not endorsed anyone, and the Daily Star has taken the unusual (but perhaps unsurprising) approach of supporting Count Binface, labelling him the "most sane politician in the UK".

And while the Mirror has already backed Labour, and despite - at first glance - appearing to be plastered with advertising for the party, the red banners promising "change" are actually for coffee brand Nespresso.

Sky News has been looking at the advertising as part of the Online Election project - a Sky News initiative to cover how the campaign is playing out online, led by Tom Cheshire , Online Campaign correspondent .

We also found  one party has been dominating social media  - but it's not the one spending the most.

Reform UK has been dominating, with its page growing by more than 32,000 followers over the course of the campaign. 

Meanwhile, the Tories have only seen 596 new followers.

Sixteen of the top 20 most-loved posts were also from Mr Farage.

And for some Tories, the only brand has been seen as so bad, that  some have ditched it altogether .

John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, has urged Nigel Farage to "get a grip" of Reform UK after a racism row involving the prime minister.

It comes as a Reform UK canvasser who used a racial slur against Rishi Sunak has called himself a "total fool" and said he has learned his lesson.

Footage from an undercover Channel 4 reporter showed Reform campaigner Andrew Parker using a discriminatory term about the prime minister, as well as saying the army should "just shoot" migrants crossing the Channel.

Police are now assessing the comments to establish if an offence has been committed, while Mr Sunak  said the insult directed at him "hurts and it makes me angry".

Asked about this, Mr Healey said: "To some extent, I see him fuelling a row over this Channel 4 film to distract, really, from the fact that there are officials and there are candidates right at the heart of the Reform party, that have been responsible for racist, anti-gay, and other deeply offensive statements.

"And it's for Farage to take action on them. And in the end, the culture and the standards of any political party are set by the leader and Nigel Farage wants to be seen as a leader.

"He needs to get a grip of his own party and he's failing to do that at the moment."

He compared the situation to the "very similar challenge" faced by Sir Keir Starmer in tackling the "antisemitism that had been allowed to fester in parts of the Labour Party".

"He did that and that's the responsibility of any leader of any political party".

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How Biden’s New Immigration Policy Works

The new policy will give some 500,000 people a pathway to citizenship.

• Share full article

By Hamed Aleaziz

President Biden’s new immigration policy protects some 500,000 people who are married to U.S. citizens from deportation and gives them a pathway to citizenship.

The election-year move comes just two weeks after Mr. Biden imposed a major crackdown at the U.S.-Mexico border, cutting off access to asylum for people who crossed into the United States illegally.

The policy announced on Tuesday is aimed at people who have been living in the United States for more than a decade and have built their lives and families here.

Here is how it works:

Why do the spouses of American citizens need protection?

Marrying an American citizen generally provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship. But people who crossed the southern border illegally — rather than arriving in the country with a visa — must return to their home countries to complete the process for a green card, something that can take years. The new program allows families to remain in the country while they pursue legal status.

Who is eligible?

There are roughly 1.1 million undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens in the United States, according to Fwd.us , an immigration advocacy group, but not all of them are eligible for the program.

The spouses must have lived in the United States for 10 years and have been married to an American citizen as of June 17. They cannot have a criminal record. Officials estimate that the policy will provide legal status and protections for about 500,000 people. The benefits would also extend to the roughly 50,000 children of undocumented spouses who became stepchildren to American citizens.

When will the program take effect?

Biden administration officials said they expected the program to start by the end of the summer. Those eligible will then be able to apply for the benefits.

Why is President Biden doing this now?

Mr. Biden is trying to strike a tricky balance on immigration, which is a serious political vulnerability for him. Polls show Americans want tougher policies. Just two weeks ago, Mr. Biden announced a crackdown on asylum at the southern border.

His new policy, giving hundreds of thousands of immigrants new legal protections, is a way for him to answer the calls from the progressive base of the Democratic Party, which has accused the White House of betraying campaign promises to enact a more humane approach to immigrants.

Hamed Aleaziz covers the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy. More about Hamed Aleaziz

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