The latest changes in the UK’s Red List have gone into effect earlier today (4 am BST). Let’s take a look at what those changes are and how you are affected.
The “Reduced” Red List
The red list has been reduced down to seven countries in total These are:
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Haiti
- Panama
- Peru
- Venezuela
For Red List Countries, entry will only be permitted to UK Residents and valid Visa holders. Travellers will be required to complete a pre-departure test, book a managed quarantine hotel package (which includes the Day 2 and 8 PCR tests) and complete a Passenger Locator form.
On arrival to the United Kingdom, they will be required to proceed to their managed quarantine hotel and complete the quarantine and testing requirements before continuing their business in the UK.
The red list information at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories.
Countries moved to the “Rest of the World” List
Countries that have been removed from the Red List include:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- 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
Arrivals from these countries will be subject to differing entry requirements:
- If you are vaccinated through a recognised vaccination authority with an appropriate vaccine and have an appropriate certificate o app, you will need to complete:
- Pre-Departure Test
- Passenger Locator Form
- Day 2 Test
- No Isolation or Quarantine is required.
- If you are vaccinated via an authority not on the government’s list, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, you will need to complete:
- Pre-Departure Test
- Passenger Locator Form
- Isolate on arrival for up to 10 days (with Test to release available at Day 5)
- Day 2 Test
- Day 8 test
You can check which vaccines and which authorities are accepted at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-with-approved-covid-19-vaccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination. Also note what requirement you will need to meet (either NHS COVID Pass, EU Digital COVID Certificate, the US CDC Card or a vaccination certificate from your local authority.
The full guidance is at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Travel Advice is changing
To support those who are travelling, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office has been updating their travel advice at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, with the government in most cases adding the following line of text:
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to <country>, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks
This should prove valuable, as it will allow you to be insured for your trip. As usual, seek appropriate travel insurance if you are planning to venture away.
In addition check, your destination will allow you to enter it – many territories have very restricted entry criteria still or require you to fly on a specific flight to enter the country.
Opening up
With the Red List shrinking to seven countries, comes the chance for people to reconnect – an important thing after the best part of 18 months where entry requirements have been very tight.
There is more to come, where Day 2 tests can be switched from PCR to Lateral Flow Tests.
As policies change, it’s still vital to keep up with the entry requirements of destinations you’re planning to go to. Therefore please remember to check when you plan to travel, before you depart, and when you return.
It might save some pain on the way.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, featuring 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.
