Travelers returning to Northern Ireland soon will no longer have to take the most expensive PCR test when they return from non-red-listed countries.
The Health Department said that fully vaccinated passengers will now have the option of taking the cheapest lateral flow Covid-19 test on or before day two of their arrival.
The change will take effect from 4 a.m. M. From October 31.
The move follows a similar change introduced earlier this week in England.
Travelers will still need to complete a passenger locator form before returning.
The department said anyone who tests positive for a lateral flow test will need to reserve a free confirmatory PCR test and will have to isolate for ten days.
If the PCR test is negative, the isolation period may end.
For outbound travel abroad, lateral flow tests must be purchased from a private provider and NHS Test and Trace tests cannot be used for international travel.
For those who are not vaccinated, they still need to complete a passenger locator form, take a pre-departure test, have booked a PCR test pack on day 2 and day 8, and complete 10 days of self-isolation upon returning from a non-red country. .
Those arriving in Northern Ireland from Red List countries will need to follow all testing and quarantine requirements.
Starting at 4 a.m. From November 1, mandatory hotel quarantine will no longer be required, and all remaining countries will be removed from the list.
Meanwhile, the Health Department has reported nine coronavirus-related deaths along with 1,122 new cases in the past 24 hours.
This brings the total of Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland to 2,684.
