LFT's Introduced For Fully Vaccinated Non-Red International Arrivals

Fully vaccinated passengers arriving into Northern Ireland from non-red list countries will now be able to take a post-arrival lateral flow test.

The Department of Health has announced that from 4am on 31 October, eligible fully vaccinated passengers arriving into Northern Ireland from countries not on the red list will have the choice of taking either a lateral flow or PCR test on or before day 2 of their arrival.

Any individuals with a positive lateral flow test will be required to book a free confirmatory PCR test and isolate for 10 days. If the subsequent mandatory confirmatory PCR is negative, then the isolation period can end.

Those that have already bought a PCR test do not need to buy another test. Lateral flow tests for international travel must be purchased from a private provider as NHS Test and Trace tests cannot be used for international travel.

All travellers must complete their passenger locator form prior to travel, including providing a test booking reference number supplied by a testing provider.

Individuals who are not deemed as fully vaccinated must still complete a passenger locator form, take a pre-departure test, have booked a PCR day 2 and day 8 test package and complete 10 days self-isolation on return from a non-red country.

Anyone arriving from a red list country must adhere to all testing and quarantine requirements, regardless of vaccination status. Rules for red list countries are available on NI Direct.