Negative Covid-19 test is required for entries in England and Scotland as of January 18

People travelling to England and Scotland will be required to present a negative test result for coronavirus, under new restrictions that will go into effect in Britain at 4am GMT on January 18.

The test will have to be done no more than 72 hours prior to entering England or Scotland and should be presented in English, French or Spanish language.

To be recognized as valid for entry into England and Scotland, the test must be the result of a polymerase chain reaction test for the detection of Covid-19 (PCR) or other highly reliable method with at least 97% specificity and 80% sensitivity for the detection of Covid-19.

It can be:

• nucleic acid test, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including isothermal amplification tests (LAMP);

• antigen test.

A document for a negative test result will be required when travelling with all vehicles. In the absence of such a document, the transport companies may refuse the transport.

The certificate should include the following information:

• the names of the passenger according to the identity document with which he/she travels;

• date of birth or age;

• test result;

• the date on which the test was taken;

• details of the laboratory that performed the test (name and contact details);

• the name of the test device.

The test result can be provided printed on paper or by email or via text message, which can be displayed on the phone screen. Even with a negative test, travellers will be required to self-isolate for 10 days, unless they come from a country in the so-called "travel corridors" (Bulgaria does not fall into them).

There is also a requirement for travellers to the United Kingdom to fill in an electronic form in advance and to provide contact details, travel plan and address where they will spend the 10-day quarantine.

Travellers to England still have the option to reduce the period of their quarantine after a negative test conducted on the fifth day of self-isolation. The test should be made at their own expense.

There are a limited number of exceptions that do not require a pre-trip test to England and Scotland, and information about them can be found at the following sites: https://www.gov.uk, https://www.gov .scot.

Bulgarian citizens who need assistance can contact the Bulgarian embassy in London on tel .: +44 20 7581 3144; +44 20 7584 9400, +44 20 75893763.