Negative Covid results needed before departure for passengers coming to Wales
Measures in force from Monday
Travellers arriving into Wales from ALL international destinations will have to show a negative COVID-19 test result before departing to help protect against new strains of coronavirus circulating internationally.
The Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething says the measures will be in force from this Monday, 18th January.
It means that inbound passengers arriving from countries outside the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man Channel islands will have to take a test up to 72 hours before departing the country they're in.
Its to help protect against the new strains of coronavirus such as those seen in Brazil, Denmark and South Africa.
Passengers arriving from countries not on the Welsh Government’s Travel Corridor list must continue to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their pre-departure test result.
Alert Level 4 lockdown restrictions, which came into force on 18 December 2020, remain in place in Wales meaning everyone must stay at home unless travelling for a very limited set of reasons.
The Welsh Government says a negative pre-departure test reduces the risk of someone travelling whilst infectious, acting as another safeguard to prevent imported infections.
Passengers arriving from countries not on the Welsh Government’s Travel Corridor list must continue to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their pre-departure test result, to provide further robust protection from those travelling from high-risk countries.
Prior to departure, passengers will need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result to carriers, as well as their Passenger Locator Form.
Health Minister, Vaughan Gething said:
“We are doing everything we can to slow down the spread of the virus.
“These new measures will help ensure we prevent new strains of the virus developing internationally from being imported into Wales.
“We are already asking passengers returning from high-risk countries to self-isolate for 10 days and these requirements remain in place.
“Added to the requirement to self-isolate, pre-departure tests will provide a further line of defence - helping us control the virus as we continue to roll-out the vaccine at pace.”
Alert Level 4 lockdown restrictions, which came into force on 18 December 2020, remain in place meaning everyone must stay at home unless travelling for a very limited set of reasons, including for work.
Travelling for a holiday is not permitted under alert level 4, whether that is in Wales, elsewhere in the UK or overseas.