How does test to release work?
- Anyone who arrives in England from outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man needs to quarantine for 10 days.
- Under the test to release scheme, you can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test on Day 5. If the result is negative, you can stop quarantining.
- You cannot take a test until you have been in England for 5 full days.
- The scheme is voluntary and applies to those quarantining in England only.
- If you do not want to opt into the Test-to-Release scheme, you will need to quarantine for 10 days.
- Ensure you opt into the test to release scheme when you complete your passenger locator form.
What do I do when I arrive back in the UK?
- When you arrive in the UK, you should go straight to your quarantine address. Please follow the Government’s guidelines on how to self-isolate.
- You can book your Test to Release before you depart or as soon as you arrive in the UK, however, by law, we will not be able to carry out your test to you until you have completed five full days in quarantine.
- Please ensure you book your test on the correct day at the correct time.
What happens when I receive my results?
If you receive a negative COVID-19 test result when taking part in the Test to Release programme, you may stop quarantining. It’s a legal requirement to quarantine when you arrive in the UK from a non-exempt country, territory or region. If you’re contacted by the enforcement authorities or the police after you have received your negative result, and have quarantined for 5 days, please show them this.