Travel list changes announced – seven countries go Green, two go Red
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A day later than planned, and surprisingly not tweeted in advance by Grant Shapps, the Government has updated its travel corridor lists.
Nine countries have moved from the Amber list. Seven have moved to Green and two have moved to Red, requiring hotel quarantine.
Here are the changes:
Good news (if you are not vaccinated):
- Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Switzerland, and the Azores will be added to the Green list from 4am on 30 August
Bad news:
- Thailand and Montenegro will be added to the Red list from 4am on 30th August
It is important to remember that just because a country is on the Green or Amber list, it does not mean that England residents are allowed to enter. You should check the entry requirements on gov.uk.
With Amber being the same as Green for fully vaccinated travellers, the set of seven countries moving to Green has minimal impact for most people.
In a statement, Sean Doyle, British Airways CEO said:
“Despite our world-leading vaccination programme the UK’s economic recovery remains far behind our more pragmatic European neighbours, which are already reaping the rewards of a rapid recovery.
It cannot be right that although 77% of us have been fully vaccinated we have a much more costly, prohibitive and restrictive testing regime than everyone else, when data suggests just four out of every 1,000 travellers tests positive for Coronavirus on their return to the UK, less than the overall rate at home. These stats strongly suggest PCR tests should only be needed following a positive lateral flow test.
We also need to urgently end the uncertainty caused by the constant threat of changes to countries’ traffic light status. Our ‘green’ list is much smaller than that of the US and EU, despite no new variants being transported into the UK.”
Current testing requirements
These are the testing and quarantine requirements currently in place:
Green countries: You will need to take a pre-departure test (can be lateral flow) as well as a PCR test on or before day 2 of your return into England. You will not need to quarantine unless or take additional tests unless your tests come back positive.
Amber countries: You will need to take a pre-departure test before returning to England and must quarantine at home for 10 days, taking a PCR test on day 2 and day 8. You can choose to take an additional PCR test on day 5 under the optional ‘Test to Release’ scheme, which allow you to end your quarantine early. Returnees who are double vaccinated at least 14 days before they return from an Amber country, plus any accompanying children under 18, are treated as if returning from a Green country.
Red countries: You will be subject to a 10-day quarantine in a managed quarantine hotel, with testing prior to your arrival in England as well as on day 2 and day 8. You cannot reduce your quarantine period and must pay for the hotel.
You can find out more about the list changes on gov.uk here.
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