As per developments with the ongoing reopening of the travel industry, the UK government has released a series of travel lists affecting travellers and business travel services providers. This list uses a traffic light system to categorise nations into red, amber and green lists for holidays and other reasons. The categorisation is based on the safety of travel for British travellers and their safe return. Unfortunately, the changes in travel laws have caused some confusion, with over 50 changes to travel advice since the initial lockdown in 2020.
International travel restrictions pose a challenge for travellers, and customers will always seek the advice of a travel professional. The official website of the U.K. government states that international travel restrictions due to the ongoing risks are continuously monitored and updated every three weeks. In this blog, we will look into the recent updates on the red, amber and green lists. We will also look into how travel companies can help travellers ensure positive travel experiences amid the confusing commentary.
Which countries will go on the red, amber and green lists?
The BBC has stated that Ministers base their decisions on advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), an organisation that monitors the Covid situation in each country. All countries go on the amber list unless there is evidence to suggest they should be on the green or red lists. These pieces of information offer some clarity on what goes on behind the scenes of the travel industry list and the parameters that determine how countries will be categorised into the respective lists. The rules for the same are given below.
Let’s take a look at what this current travel list means for business travel services providers.
Green list countries travel guidelines
Green arrivals are required to do a pre-departure test three days before their return to the UK, as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on or before day two of their return. There is no need for quarantine (unless the Covid test is positive), and no extra testing is required.
Currently, a few countries on the green list are given below.
There is a small variant for the green list known as the green watchlist. The rules are similar to the ones on the green list. However, countries on this list are at risk of moving from green to amber, potentially at very short notice. If the conditions of these traffic signal rules change for a specific country or territory, it can be moved from the green list to the amber or red list without warning. Remember, if a nation or territory on the green list is on the verge of being demoted to amber, it will be added to the green watchlist.
Green list rules
- The rules in the section below are to be followed, even if the traveller is fully vaccinated.
Before the travel
- Take the COVID-19 test in the 3 days before the travel
- Complete a passenger locator form
On arrival
- Within 2 days of arrival, the traveller must take a COVID-19 test.
- You do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive.
- Children aged 4 and under need not take the test.
Note: The traveller needs to take the test if they are still in England on Day 2. Also, the traveller must quarantine if NHS Test & Trace notifies them that they have travelled with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Amber list countries travel guidelines
All travellers must undergo a pre-departure test three days prior to their return, as well as a PCR test on or before day two. In addition, unvaccinated travellers must self-isolate for ten days and have a second PCR test on day eight.
A day-five test is available as an alternative, with a negative result permitting unvaccinated travellers to test out. of quarantine. Regardless of the results of the optional day-five PCR test, the day-eight PCR test must be performed. A few countries on the amber list are given as follows.
The amber list is not exhaustive. Also, one should not presume that a nation or territory is on the green or red list if it is not on the Amber list. A nation or territory can be transferred from the amber to the red list if the local circumstances change. A country or territory may be transferred between lists without warning if situations change suddenly.
Amber list rules
- The rules in the section below are to be followed, even if the traveller is fully vaccinated.
Before the travel
- Take the COVID-19 test in the 3 days before the travel
- Complete a passenger locator form
On arrival
- Within 2 days, the traveller must take a COVID-19 test if they are fully vaccinated under either.
- The UK vaccination programme.
- The UK vaccine programme overseas.
- An approved vaccination programme in Europe or the USA – not all are recognised in England.
- taking part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK or the USA.
- under 18 and resident in the UK, a UK Overseas Territory, the USA or one of the specified European countries.
If you are not fully vaccinated, then on arrival, you must
- Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
- Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8.
Note: If the traveller is travelling for less than 10 days, they need to be in quarantine for the time they are there. Travel tests for Day 2 and Day 8 need to be booked.
Red list countries travel restrictions
According to the UK government, countries on the red list pose the greatest Covid danger and should only be visited in the most severe of situations. If you have spent the previous 10 days in a country or territory on the red list, you will be allowed to enter the UK only if you are a British or Irish national or have residency rights in the UK. A few of the countries that are on the red list currently are as follows.