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UK reduces travel “red list” by nearly 50 countries as Delta variant wanes

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South Africa, Thailand, Mexico and the Seychelles are among 47 countries being taken off England and Wales’s travel red list as it is slashed to just seven.

As of 4am on Monday, September 11th, 47 countries will be removed from the red list, which means travelers arriving from those destinations will no longer have to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 11 nights at a cost of £2,285 ($3,110).

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also added 37 countries to the list of locations with approved COVID-19 vaccine programs, so travelers from those non-red list countries no longer have to quarantine for 10 days on arrival from Monday, take a pre-departure test or the day eight post-arrival test. The destinations include India, Turkey, Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil, Pakistan, Kenya and Ghana.

Mr. Shapps added that later this month, fully vaccinated travelers from approved countries will be able to take a lateral flow test on day two after arriving, instead of an expensive PCR test, and they will be able to send a picture of their test to verify the result.

Passengers who are fully vaccinated in countries not on the approved list will still have to take a pre-departure test, a day two and eight test and complete 10 days self-isolation, with the option of test to release on day five.

All of the new measures apply to people arriving into England and Wales and travelers are advised to check the Foreign Office website for countries they wish to travel to as many are not allowing international visitors. Scotland and Northern Ireland have still to confirm whether they will follow suit.

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: NEW YORK TIMES

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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