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Despite suffering greatly in the earlier months of the pandemic right up until the new year, the UK seems to have turned a corner with regards to its Covid-19 situation. With case rates plummeting and the vaccination drive proving to be one of the best in the world, many in the UK are starting to dream of traveling once more.
Today, that dream took a step closer towards becoming a reality, as the UK released more information about its proposed traffic light system for international travel. Here’s a look at what the system entails.
UK Traffic Light System Explained
Throughout the duration of the pandemic, several different countries have implemented different systems designed to allow travel to restart with the least possible harm to public safety. From travel bubbles to banning flights, countries have chopped and changed their restrictions to reflect the level of risk they are facing.
The UK is no stranger to changing its restrictions. From allowing all flights at the start of the pandemic, to implementing hotel quarantine and banning flights from “red list” countries, the UK has constantly developed its entry restrictions throughout the course of the pandemic.
The latest change will see the UK moving towards a “traffic light” system on May 17th, which will sort countries into three different categories – green, amber and red – depending on their risk level, with “green” countries being those with the lowest Covid-19 risk. Today, the Department for Transport gave more details about the three categories.
Depending on the color-level of the country the passenger is flying from, the passenger will have to adhere to different entry restrictions and requirements:
- Those arriving from “green” countries will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a PCR test on or before day 2 of their arrival back into the UK. Should they test negative, they will not need to take any further tests or quarantine.
- Those arriving from “amber” countries will need to quarantine for a period of 10 days and take a pre-departure test, and a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 with the option for Test to Release on day 5 to end self-isolation early
- Those coming from “red” countries arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for “red list” countries, which include a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day 2 and 8
Those who arrive from red countries must book a stay in a quarantine facility prior to arrival, whilst those coming from an amber or green country will need to book their tests from the UK government’s list of approved providers.
The British government has not yet confirmed which countries will be put onto each list, but said it would do so before May 17th. The government also stated they would have a watchlist of countries at risk of moving from green to amber, in order to help with the planning of travel. As of yet, there is no confirmed date of when British travelers can go on holiday again.
Countries currently on the red list are:
- Middle East: Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Africa: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Asia: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines
- South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
Read more:
UK Easing Lockdown: What Travelers Need To Know
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
Top 10 Road Trip Routes In The U.S. For 2021
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Jeanette
Friday 9th of April 2021
So they effectively want to tax people for going on holiday, but instead of the money going to HMRC it goes into the pockets of the people selling the private tests. I'll take "Corruption" for $800, Alex.