What is Test to Release?
Those arriving to England from rest of the world countries, who have not been fully vaccinated, must book two mandatory arrival COVID tests. To be completed on Day 2 and 8 after arrival in England, meaning a total of 10 days in quarantine, even if both tests come back negative.
A Public Health England program to shorten the mandatory quarantine is available to those who live in England. This is called Test to Release. With Test to Release, you still have to book your mandatory Day 2 & 8 Arrivals test. But if your Day 2 test results are negative, you have the option to book a Day 5 Test to Release Test. This test, if negative, can immediately end your need to quarantine. Potentially shortening your quarantine period from 10 days to just 6.
Read latest UK Government Guidance on Test to Release
Unvaccinated testing after arriving from a rest of the world list country.
Day 0 – The day you arrived to England. You must have Day 2 & 8 mandatory arrival tests pre-booked.
Day 2 – First mandatory arrival test to be carried out. A negative result here does not mean you can end quarantine.
Day 5 – If Day 2 test result was negative, you have an option to book a Day 5 Test to Release. A negative result here means you can end your quarantine immediately. You no longer need to attend your Day 8 test.
Day 8 – Final mandatory test if Day 5 test result is positive, or Day 5 test not booked. If Day 8 results are negative, you can end your quarantine as soon as the 10 days are up.
