UK Removes All Countries from Covid-19 ‘Red’ Travel List

Photo source: @Heathrow airport

The UK has removed the last seven countries from its Covid-19 red list, which required newly arrived travelers to spend 10 days in hotel quarantine.

This means that as of today, November 1, passengers arriving to England from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela are no longer required to enter hotel quarantine.

All arrivals still need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) ahead of travel.

According to an announcement by the UK Department for Transport, the red list and quarantine hotel policy remains in place and will be reviewed every three weeks.

Meanwhile, as of Monday, eligible travellers with appropriate proof of vaccination from over 30 further countries and territories, including Argentina, Tanzania and Cambodia, are qualified, under the fully vaccinated rules, to travel to the UK. This brings the total number of countries and territories covered by the inbound vaccination policy to over 135.

“Whether it’s reuniting family members or making it easier for businesses to trade, the success of the vaccine rollout both at home and abroad has allowed us to reach this milestone,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.

Photo source: Heathrow Airport

Government scientists continue to closely monitor variants of concern in order to ensure the UK’s approach remains proportionate. Furthermore, the government will continue to maintain surveillance through testing.

Eligible fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18 arriving into England from non-red list countries have since October 24 been able to use a cheaper lateral flow test post arrival, with a free confirmatory PCR test if they receive a positive result. Such passengers arriving into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test.

Travellers should continue to check GOV.UK travel guidance including Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before, during and after travel to the UK to keep up to date with entry requirements.