U.K. Eliminates Mask Requirements on Certain Flights and Lifts COVID Travel Rules

This week, the United Kingdom unveiled significant updates to its travel regulations.

Just a few days after the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) opted to extend the federal mask requirement for another month, two prominent British airlines and Heathrow Airport in London announced plans to make masks optional for passengers and crew on select flights, starting March 16. This joint statement came in light of the U.K.'s decision to abolish all remaining travel restrictions, effective March 18.

Masking Policy Varies by Route

The airlines allowing mask-optional flights include British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, though it’s not completely unrestricted—it only applies to destinations where masks aren’t mandatory. Masks remain necessary on flights to and from the U.S. due to the TSA’s federal mask requirement.

Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Customer and Operations Officer, Corneel Koster, stated in a press release that this policy will be rolled out gradually, starting with their Caribbean routes from Heathrow and Manchester airports.

Jason Mahoney, Koster’s counterpart at British Airways, mentioned in the same release that they are “navigating” the requirements of each country. For instance, the U.S. mandates masks on flights entering and leaving the country, so if you fly British Airways to the U.K. from a U.S. airport, a mask must be worn throughout the journey.

Given that each nation has distinct masking regulations, this could lead to confusion for passengers and airlines alike. How this will be resolved is still uncertain. However, the masking rule will continue for routes to and from cities like Delhi, India; Islamabad, Pakistan; Hong Kong; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lahore, Pakistan; Lagos, Nigeria; Mumbai, India; Shanghai, China; and Tel Aviv, Israel, as noted by Virgin Atlantic.

The U.K. is removing all remaining COVID travel restrictions

As of March 18, the last few coronavirus restrictions will be eliminated in the U.K.

Travelers will no longer need to present a negative COVID test to enter the country. (Vaccinated individuals have enjoyed this exemption since February, while unvaccinated travelers were required to test before departure and again on their second day after arriving.)

Additionally, there will be no requirement for travelers to complete Passenger Locator Forms to enter Britain. This update was shared by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, via Twitter.

The other nations of the U.K. (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) have decided to align with England’s approach to COVID border measures, although some are proceeding with caution.

In a statement, the Scottish government voiced “concerns about the absence of border control measures,” but also noted that “due to the adverse effects of non-alignment on the tourism sector, a reluctant agreement was reached on a four-nation basis.”