Yesterday the Government updated our international travel guidance by removing 47 countries from the red list, thanks to the success of our vaccination programme we can now safely reunite friends and families across the world. From 4 am Monday 11 October, the red list will reduce to 7 countries and proof of vaccination will be recognised from 37 new countries and territories.
After taking the necessary steps to keep our country and borders safe, we are now able to continue simplifying international travel guidance. That is why the Government has removed 47 countries and territories from the red list - meaning from next week vaccinated Brits can travel almost anywhere in the world without having to do pre-departure or day 8 tests, or any form of isolation, when they return.
Also announced, from 4am Monday 11 October, eligible travellers vaccinated in over 37 new countries and territories including Brazil, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey, will also be treated the same as returning fully vaccinated UK residents under the relaxed rules, so long as they have not visited a red list country or territory in the 10 days before arriving in England. Countries with approved COVID-19 proof of vaccination.
The latest travel update builds on the announcement from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office earlier this week that it has lifted advice against all but essential travel for over 30 countries and territories. More advisories will be removed as countries and territories come off the red list, making it easier for people to be covered by insurance when travelling to a wider list of destinations.
The change to restrictions builds on the recent simplification of international travel rules, including the removal of pre-departure testing for eligible fully vaccinated travellers implemented earlier this week. Government scientists will continue to engage with countries still on the red list and keep the evidence on variants of concern, especially Lambda and Mu, under close review in order to ensure the UK’s approach remains proportionate. The government will continue to maintain surveillance at the border through testing and genomic sequencing, so that we can respond rapidly if risks from any country increase.
From late October, eligible fully vaccinated passengers including under 18s returning from a rest of 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, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England. The government can also confirm passengers taking postal tests will be able to send a picture of their lateral flow test as a minimum requirement to verify the test result, with the ambition remaining to have this in place for people returning from half-term breaks by the end of the month.
It is thanks to the continued success of vaccination efforts both home and abroad, that we have been able to simplify travel guidance and significantly cut the number of destinations on our red list – safely reuniting friends and families across the world. For any more information on the latest travel update, including comments from the Transport and Health and Social Care Secretaries, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/travel-update-47-countries-and-territories-removed-from-red-list.
