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UK Government adjusts entry lists, with countries moving around

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Updated: 14:00 05/08 – The Department for Transport remembered it has a press release function – unlike Grant Shapps who prefers to govern by Tweet. Added further detail on Spain and Government quotes. 

The UK Government has announced some major changes to the Green, Amber and Red Lists

Let’s dive in – as there are some major changes ahead.

a screenshot of a social media post

Let us break down Grant Shapps tweet into something a little more understandable:

Countries Moving from Amber List to Green List

Green List arrivals will require a pre-departure test, a passenger locator form, and a Day 2 PCR test.

Green List changes go into effect at 4 am, Sunday 8 August. Arrivals before then will require you to follow Amber list rules.

Countries Moving from Red List to Amber List

Countries Moving from Amber (Plus) List to Amber List

Amber List arrivals to the United Kingdom require different requirements depending on your vaccination status

  • Vaticinated travellers require a pre-departure test, a passenger locator form completed and a Day 2 PCR test
  • Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated travellers will require a pre-departure test, a passenger locator form completed and a Day 2 PCR test, as well as Self-Isolating for up to 10 days and a Day 8 test.

Amber List changes go into effect at 4 am, Sunday 8 August. Arrivals before then will require you to follow Red list rules. Arrivals from France will be required to follow unvaccinated traveller rules until the changes go into effect.

Countries Moving from Amber List to Red List

Red List Countries/Territories limits entry to UK citizens and permanent residents. Red List Passengers are required to pre-book a quarantine hotel, take a pre-departure test, quarantine in a hotel for 10 days, with day 2 and day 8 PCR tests.

The cost of staying at a quarantine hotel – which is mandatory if arriving from a red list country – is increasing too, with a single adult traveller cost increasing from £1,750 to £2,285 from 12 August, and £1,430 for a second adult.

Red List changes go into effect at 4 am, Sunday 8 August.

Where is the constantly changing list?

The list is published at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england.

You should always check against this before you travel.

In addition, this list is not reciprocal – this means that countries have their own entry criteria you will need to meet. You should check the entry requirements of each country (in particular the requirements or if they will even let you in).

As usual please plan ahead. 

No major changes for Spain, but invest in PCR tests.

Whilst there was chatter about Spain being moved to an “Amber Plus” state, it seems the government is happy to let passenger traffic to flow at this time.

However, the Department for Transport advises

Arrivals from Spain and all its islands are advised to use a PCR test as their pre-departure test wherever possible, as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country. 

UK clinicians and scientists will remain in close contact with their counterparts in Spain to keep abreast of the latest data and picture of cases in Spain

How this will be enforced is another matter, with no penalties in place currently.

In Quotes

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We are committed to opening up international travel safely, taking advantage of the gains we’ve made through our successful vaccination programme, helping connect families, friends and businesses around the world.

While we must continue to be cautious, today’s changes reopen a range of different holiday destinations across the globe, which is good news for both the sector and travelling public.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

As we learn to live with this virus, we are continuing to take steps to safely reopen international travel based on the latest data and expert public health advice.

The vaccines have already prevented around 60,000 deaths and 22 million infections in England and, with over 7 in 10 adults in the UK now double-jabbed, we are building a wall of defence against the disease.

As well as moving more countries to the green list, today’s announcement also demonstrates the need for continued caution. Further countries have been added to the red list to help protect the success of our vaccine rollout from the threat of new variants.

Opening up more destinations via the Middle East, but closing the door to Mexico

The Middle East Three (Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways) will be very interested in these moves, as it allows passengers to flow through their hubs – something that hasn’t been happening in both directions for some time.

Expect them to bolster capacity to the United Kingdom shortly.

The additional European counties will also be welcome for those who need to reconnect or travel for business too.

This will be bad news for those who holiday in Mexico, as you will now need to assign extra costs to quarantine – or return to England before 4 am on Sunday – this could impact travels and passengers who have bookings in that direction.

Plan ahead, but prepare for short-notice changes

As usual, when travelling at this time – apply caution. Changes are now cycling every three weeks. Plan appropriately if you can, or use three-week windows to book and travel.

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