The United Kingdom is tightening entry regulations again and reintroducing “double testing”. Specifically, this means that vaccinated and convalescent patients must also present a negative PCR test on arrival.

You then have to go into quarantine and undergo another PCR test two days after entering the country. If this is negative, the segregation ends immediately. This procedure applies to everyone - including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. Health Minister Sajid Javid justifies the renewed tightening with the Omikron variant.

The new rules are not well received by holidaymakers and passengers, especially because those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered are also affected. Airlines and tour operators can already record significant decreases in bookings and are faced with cancellation and rebooking inquiries.

In the UK, PCR tests are exorbitantly expensive in direct comparison with other European countries and you have to pay for them yourself. The booking code for the second test must already be entered in the entry form. Most institutions require prepayment when booking an appointment.