It’s been three weeks since Grant Shapps initially announced the “green list” that allows for Quarantine-free arrivals in the UK. Let’s see what counties have made it on the list this week… and which ones go on the red list.
Countries/Regions being added to the Green List
- None
Yes, you read that right. Not a sausage. No additions at all.
Countries that are moving from the Amber List
It seems the UK Government has had enough of people having fun in some countries, with one country moving from the Green to Amber list
- Portugal
This goes into effect at 4 am on Tuesday 8 June. Travellers from Amber List Countries must take a COVID-19 test before travel, book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel tests – to be taken after arrival in England and complete a passenger locator form. Upon arrival, they must quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days and take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8.
It’s almost as if Portugal was moved to the green list to have the UEFA Champions League final and as soon as it was done, time to move it back…
Countries/Regions being added to the Red List
- Afghanistan
- Bahrain
- Costa Rica
- Egypt
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Trinidad & Tobago
This goes into effect at 4am on Tuesday 8 June. Travellers from Red List Counties must take a COVID-19 test before travel and book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests. A completed passenger locator form is mandatory too. On arrival in England, you must quarantine in a managed hotel, including 2 COVID-19 tests.
Where are the official notices?
As usual for this excuse of a government, this was leaked extensively beforehand, with the government putting a release eventually at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/portugal-moved-to-amber-list-to-guard-public-health-against-variants-of-concern-following-first-traffic-light-review
What are the excuses for the move?
Copied word for word:
The decision to move Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) to the amber list follows increased concern in the spread of variants of coronavirus, including a mutation of the Delta variant, and the risk that is posed of bringing these back to the UK if people are not required to quarantine.
The situation in Portugal has required swift action to protect the gains made with the vaccine rollout – there has been an almost doubling in the COVID-19 test positivity rate in Portugal since the first review for traffic light allocations, far exceeding the ONS estimated national positivity rate in the UK. More significantly, according to data published on GISAID, 68 cases of the Delta variant of concern have been identified in Portugal, including cases of the Delta variant with an additional, potentially detrimental, mutation.
What are the requirements of entry into England and Wales from a Green/Amber/Red List Country?
Any arrival to the UK will require at least a passenger locator form completed, a pre-departure test and a PCR test post-arrival on or before day 2.
Arrivals from Amber or Red List countries will need to quarantine – either at home (Amber) or in a managed facility (Red). Both require additional PCR Tests on day 8.
The full procedures are at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england
When will the next review be announced?
In three weeks time – 24th June all things being equal.
In Quotes
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
The public has always known travel will be different this year and we must continue to take a cautious approach to reopening international travel in a way that protects public health and the vaccine rollout.
While we are making great progress in the UK with the vaccine rollout, we continue to say that the public should not travel to destinations outside the green list.
Are airlines and the travel industry angry?
You bet.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that we are part of the BoardingArea community, bringing you the latest frequent flyer news from around the world.
