COVID-19 Testing & Quarantine

If you are planning to travel abroad you should check the rules that apply in your local area before you travel. Different rules apply for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You must follow all the rules that apply to you.

You must have a valid reason for travel. If you do not have a valid reason for travel you will be directed to return home and may face a fine.

There will be an increased police presence around the airport, and they may fine you if you do not follow the stay at home regulations.

Check your destination - certain destinations require specific tests and the results to be presented in a particular format. Make sure both the type of test and the test provider’s certificate (which could be paper or digital) are accepted by the country you are travelling to. You should follow government travel advice for your destination at all times, which may have changed since your last visit.

Facilities available at Gatwick

There are several COVID-19 testing providers based at Gatwick including:

ExpressTest - Drive through

This drive through facility is located in the South Terminal Long Stay Car Park, offering a PCR swab test. Tests must be booked in advance.

Find out more and book a test

ExpressTest - Walk in

This walk in facility is located in North Terminal arrivals, offering a PCR swab test. Tests must be booked in advance.

Find out more and book a test

Hilton

The Hilton London Gatwick offers a Test & Rest Package which includes a PCR self-testing swab kit and overnight accommodation at the hotel.

Find out more and book a test

Sofitel

The Sofitel London Gatwick offers a Test & Rest package which includes a PCR self-testing swab kit and overnight accommodation at the hotel.

Find out more and book a test

Boots

Get a private PCR swab test at the Boots store located in the South Terminal arrivals area. Appointments must be booked in advance.

Find out more and book a test

From Monday 15 February new rules apply to all passengers arriving in the UK.

Anyone arriving into England from outside the UK, Ireland the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands must:

• quarantine for 10 days*
• take a Covid-19 test on day 2 and day 8 of quarantine
• follow the national lockdown rules

*If you arrive from or have travelled through a country on the UK Government Red List in the 10 days before travel then you must complete a mandatory hotel quarantine. All other arrivals must quarantine at home.

Different rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You must follow the rules of your end destination.

Are you arriving from a country on the Red List? Check here

NON-RED LIST COUNTRIES

Before you arrive

• Complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) on the UK Government website.
• Pre-book a home testing package from the UK Government website.
• Have a negative COVID-19 test completed within 3 days of departure that meets the UK Government requirements.

When you arrive

• Go directly to the place you are staying to home quarantine.
• Quarantine at home for 10 days.
• Take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 of your 10-day quarantine, using your pre-booked testing package.
• The NHS Test and Trace will contact you with your COVID-19 test results.
• Optional - After 5 days, take a private paid test as part of the Test to Release Scheme, more details can be found below.

Optional - Test to Release Scheme

You can take a private paid test 5 full days after arriving from an approved provider. If your result is negative, you can leave quarantine. The scheme is voluntary and only applies to those self-isolating in England. You cannot take a test on arrival or earlier than 5 days. 

Find out more information about the scheme 

To take part:

• Book a test before you travel with a provider on the Government approved providers list. This list is regularly updated by the Government and includes providers based at Gatwick.
• Opt into the scheme when you complete your Passenger Locator form before you arrive in the UK.

Facilities available at Gatwick - 

ExpressTest

This drive through facility is located in the South Terminal Long Stay Car Park, offering a PCR swab test and is on the approved list of Test and Release providers.

Find out more and book a test