The UK travel rules have undergone numerous changes since the pandemic started in 2020. When the UK opened back up for international travel in May, they introduced a traffic light system. Countries were grouped into green, amber, and red lists. Each country list had different rules regarding testing and quarantining. However, the UK recently scrapped the system in favor of something more simple.
The New System
The UK’s traffic light system changed last Monday, eliminating the amber list entirely, leaving only 32 countries on the red list. Then, on Monday, October 11, the UK limited the red list down to only seven destinations. The seven countries include Panama, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also adopted England’s red list.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says “we are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today’s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.”
Red List Travel Protocol
At the moment, the only people able to enter the UK from red list countries are UK or Irish nationals and UK residents, regardless of vaccination status. All travelers from red list countries still need to pay to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. They are also required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test three days before arrival and quarantine in a managed hotel upon arrival taking two tests on Day 2 and Day 8.
Inbound Vaccination List
The UK also recognizes an inbound vaccination list that streamlines the COVID protocol for some travelers. This list is made up of countries in which a person can be vaccinated and status is recognized by the UK. At the moment, the UK only recognizes Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen (J&J), or AstraZeneca. Fully vaccinated travelers from countries on this list will not need to take a COVID test before arriving in the UK. Furthermore, anyone under 18 can also travel from those specific non-red list countries without quarantining if they test negative on or before Day 2 in the UK. Travelers must book their test ahead of time. Some of the countries on the list include the US, Israel, and Australia. On Monday, October 11, the UK expanded their inbound vaccination list by another 18 countries, so now over 50 countries are in scope of the policy.
Unvaccinated Travelers
However, unvaccinated travelers still face the same strict travel policies. People who are not fully vaccinated will need a pre-departure test and a PCR or lateral flow device (LFD) test on days two and eight after they return, and must self-isolate for 10 days at home. If they test positive on a LFD test, then they also need to take a PCR test. Travelers must book the best before they travel. Unvaccinated travelers also have the option to test for release on Day 5 if they’re returning from non-red list countries everywhere except for Northern Ireland.
