Which countries are on the 'red list'?
There is an existing group of ‘red list’ countries delineated by the government. These are countries from which travel is banned unless you are a UK national, and then you must quarantine on your return.
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Afghanistan |
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Angola |
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Argentina |
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Bolivia |
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Botswana |
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Brazil |
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Burundi |
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Cape Verde |
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Chile |
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Colombia |
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Congo (Democratic Republic) |
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Costa Rica |
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Cuba |
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Dominican Republic |
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Ecuador |
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Eritrea |
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Eswatini |
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Ethiopia |
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French Guiana |
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Georgia |
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Guyana |
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Haiti |
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Indonesia |
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Lesotho |
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Malawi |
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Mayotte |
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Mexico |
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Mongolia |
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Montenegro |
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Mozambique |
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Myanmar |
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Namibia |
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Nepal |
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Panama |
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Paraguay |
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Peru |
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Philippines |
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Réunion |
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Rwanda |
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Seychelles |
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Sierra Leone |
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Somalia |
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South Africa |
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Sudan |
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Suriname |
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Tanzania |
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Thailand |
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Trinidad and Tobago |
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Tunisia |
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Uganda |
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Uruguay |
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Venezuela |
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Zambia |
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Zimbabwe |
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The lists of green, amber and red countries can be found via the UK government’s website here.
What's the view from Europe?
A number of countries are allowing entry to fully vaccinated and negative-tested British tourists. But it’s crucial to note that just because a country has welcomed the prospect of visitors from the UK, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be on the government’s ‘green’ or ‘amber’ lists.
As with all travel guidance, nothing is guaranteed and all details are subject to change.
What are the new rules for travel after October 4 2021?
The UK government has announced it is scrapping the traffic light system from October 4 2021.
Going forward, there will be one red list, to which travel is banned unless you quarantine in a government-approved hotel on arrival back into the UK (and follow whatever local advice the destination country may have).
All other countries will be possible to travel to – but how many COVID tests you’ll need to take and when will depend on your vaccination status.
Testing requirements will also be reduced for eligible, fully-vaccinated travellers, who will no longer need to take a pre-departure test (PDT) when travelling to England from Monday 4 October 4am.
From the end of October, eligible fully vaccinated passengers and those with an approved vaccine from a select group of non-red countries will be able to replace their day two Covid test – taken two days after arrival back into the UK – with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England. The government wants to introduce this by the end of October, aiming to have it in place for when people return from half-term breaks.
Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no additional cost to the traveller.
What if I’m not double jabbed?
Testing for unvaccinated passengers from non-red countries will still include pre-departure tests, day two and day eight PCR tests. Test to release remains an option to reduce self-isolation period.
From 4 October, England will welcome fully vaccinated travellers from a host of new countries – who will be treated like returning fully vaccinated UK travellers – including 17 countries and territories such as Japan and Singapore, following the success of an existing pilot with the US and Europe.
Of the changes, Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said: “Today’s changes mean a simpler, more straightforward system. One with less testing and lower costs, allowing more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business.”