Do I need a Covid-19 travel test if I’ve been vaccinated?

Following the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine programme across the UK, at the time of writing over 40 million vaccination doses have now been administered.

On the effectiveness of the vaccine, the NHS says:

“The first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus from 3 or 4 weeks after you’ve had it.

“But you need to have the 2 doses of the vaccine to give you longer lasting protection.

“There is a chance you might still get or spread coronavirus even if you have the vaccine.”

I’ve been vaccinated, am I immune to coronavirus now?

Not necessarily.

According to Public Health England, some people may still catch coronavirus despite having a vaccination.

It is also still possible to pass on the virus to others, so it’s important to continue to follow social distancing guidelines, practise good hand hygiene, and wear a mask where required.

I’ve been vaccinated, am I exempt from the PCR travel tests?

No.

Everybody travelling abroad must adhere to the government’s travel guidelines, even those who have had both doses of the vaccine.

The current requirements include:

• The pre-departure Fit To Fly Test certificate, which you should obtain before travelling to most countries

• The legally required Day 2 and Day 8 tests, which must be taken when you return to the UK

It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the entry requirements and restrictions in the country you are travelling to. It is also your responsibility to take your sample within the specified timeframe, according to the requirements of your destination.

How do I buy a Covid-19 travel test?

If you plan to travel internationally soon, you can buy your Covid-19 travel tests directly from our website.

AlphaBiolabs offer both the pre-departure and UK arrival tests as a package, giving you peace of mind that your Covid-19 testing needs are taken care of before you travel.

Please note that the Day 2 and Day 8 tests are sent out in accordance with UK Government requirements, and will therefore be delivered separately in line with the days of your self-quarantine period.

Please also note the day of your arrival in the UK is classed as Day 0, NOT Day 1.

We are currently experiencing a high volume of enquiries on our phonelines, live chat and email.

If you have a question about Covid-19 travel testing, we recommend you check out our Frequently Asked Questions before calling or emailing us, as you will probably find the answer to your question there.