The United Kingdom (UK) removes travel restrictions for 47 countries
As of 11th October, arrivals from 47 countries will no longer have to enter hotel quarantine. They will just have to do a PCR test on or before day 2. In a major overhaul, only seven countries remain on the red quarantine list, including Peru and the Dominican Republic.
47 countries will open up for travel
Announcing the update on Twitter on 7th October, UK transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that the 47 re-categorized countries will be moved to Britain’s “rest of the world” list.
The UK’s simplified rules for travel came into force on October 4th, with the traffic light system scrapped in favor of a single red list.
Mr. Shapps added: “I’m also making changes so travelers visiting England have fewer entry requirements, by recognizing those with fully-vax status from 37 new countries and territories including India, Turkey, and Ghana, treating them the same as the UK fully vax passengers.”
Which countries have been removed from the UK’s red list?
As of Monday 11th October, people traveling to England from these locations will no longer have to quarantine in a hotel on arrival:
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- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Georgia
- Guyana
- Indonesia
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Paraguay
- Philippines
- Réunion
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For full information from the UK government, check their website
What are the changes to which vaccinations are accepted?
The UK government is also easing its vaccination requirements for a further 37 countries and territories, including Brazil, India, South Africa, and Turkey.
This means that vaccinated passengers traveling from these non-red list places will only need to take a day two test upon arrival in England – just like returning, fully-vaccinated UK residents.
Those without authorized vaccines arriving from a ‘rest of world’ destination must still take a pre-departure test, a day 2 and day 8 test, and complete 10 days of self-isolation.
Changes to testing requirements
Today’s announcement also confirmed that fully vaccinated passengers, including those under 18s returning from the rest of the world country, will have the option to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test, followed by a free PCR test if positive.
However, the government is yet to give a date this new rule will be in place. They have said it will be some time in ‘late October.’ The government also confirmed passengers taking postal tests will be able to send a picture of their lateral flow test to give their test results. Until now tests have had to be sent in the post. They said they ‘hope to have this in place for people returning from half-term breaks by the end of the month.’
With all of this information, you should feel more confident when traveling to the UK. You can also get in touch with us today if you would like us to assist with your UK visa application.