Current travel guidelines for business travel services

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.

The international travel restrictions come as a challenge to the 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 that they have positive travel experiences amidst the confusing commentary.

Which countries will go on the red, amber and green list?

BBC has stated that “Ministers base their decision on advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), an organisation which looks at 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 list for the travel industry and the parameters that decide how the countries will be categorised into the respective list. The rules for the same are given below.

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.

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 in 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

• 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

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.

If your traveller has been in or through a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days before they arrived, they must follow the red list rules.

Red list rules

• You must follow these rules even if you have been fully vaccinated.

Before the travel

• Take the COVID-19 test if the traveller is aged 10 or above
• Complete a passenger locator form

On arrival

• Book a quarantine in a managed hotel, including 2 COVID-19 tests

Travel companies have a lot to plan and process with the list getting updated every 3 weeks. With the outsourcing of travel services, travel companies can support their clients in planning smooth trips, despite the current situation. 

Technomine Travel Solutions assists travel agencies with back-office functions and other services so that they can focus on maintaining relationships with travellers. As the situation on the ground changes, it is prudent to always double-check the entry restrictions of the country any given traveller is visiting. The customer may need to present a negative test before arriving. The status of any nation can change at any time and if someone is in a country that goes from green to amber or amber to red, they may be subject to the new restrictions. A back-office travel expert can help travel agents track their customers and avoid last-minute trip arrangements and to ensure the checklists are in order. If you have any queries or require further information on our services please, reach out to Chris at chris@technominetravelsolutions.co.uk