The change in international testing rules is welcomed by travel agents

 

For the travel industry, the easing of rules around testing for passengers arriving in Northern Ireland is a game-changer. 

As of Friday morning, fully vaccinated traveler's will no longer have to take a pre-departure test or self-isolate on arrival.  

As a result of the Health Department's announcement, Oasis Travel has received additional inquiries and calls.

"January is traditionally one of the busiest months of the year, and this news should boost business," she told UTV. 

Passengers who are fully vaccinated are still required to fill out a passenger locator form and take a test on or before their second day of arrival.

Starting on Sunday, 9 January, this can be either a lateral flow or PCR test.

Although NHS Test and Trace tests cannot be used for international travel, lateral flow tests for this purpose must be purchased from a private provider.

Anyone with a positive lateral flow test must book a free confirmatory PCR test and isolate.

In the statement, it states that the isolation period can be ended if the mandatory confirmatory PCR results are negative.

Persons who are not fully vaccinated must complete a passenger locator form, take a pre-departure test, book a PCR day 2 and day 8 test package, and complete 10 days of self-isolation, the department said.