The UK Government has updated its travel lists, adding Bulgaria
and Hong Kong to the green list and Croatia and Taiwan to the
green watchlist, meaning passengers arriving into England after
04:00 on Monday 19 July will no longer need to quarantine on
arrival. Croatia and Taiwan have been added to the green
watchlist in recognition that these countries and territories
are at risk of moving from green to amber.
Due to a sharp rise in the number of cases, Ministers have also
taken the decision to move the Balearic Islands and British
Virgin Islands from the green watchlist to amber. All
classification changes are decided by ministers. These are
informed by the latest data and analysis by the Joint
Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and wider public health factors. Since
the last traffic light review, the case rate has more than
doubled in the Balearics.
Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone will be added to the
red list from 4am Monday 19 July. Visitors who have departed
from or transited through these countries and territories in
the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England. Only
British and Irish citizens, or those with residence rights
(including long-term visa holders), will be allowed to enter
and must stay in a government-approved facility for 10 days.
Before travelling to England, everyone needs to take a pre
departure test and a passenger locator form regardless of where
they are coming from. If arriving from a green list destination
you will also be required to take a Day 2 PCR test. Arrivals
from amber list countries and territories who are not fully
vaccinated will need a Day 2 and Day 8 test, and to quarantine
for 10 days. The Test to Release scheme remains an option for
non-fully vaccinated travellers returning from amber countries
and territories to shorten their quarantine period.
The implementation date will coincide with the changes to the
requirements for passengers travelling to amber countries who
have been fully vaccinated. As previously announced, from 19
July the following groups will no longer need to quarantine or
take a day 8 PCR test if arriving from amber countries and
territories, but will still need to complete a pre-departure
test before arrival into England, alongside a PCR test on or
before day 2 after arrival:
- Fully vaccinated through the UK vaccination programme
- On a formally approved COVID-19 clinical trial in the UK
- People aged under 18 and resident in the UK
These measures are subject to passengers providing proof of
their vaccination status and correct test results and test
package bookings to carriers in advance of travel.
Carriers will have a critical role in carrying out primary
checks on all passengers before boarding, checking people have
the right COVID-19 certification documents to ensure we can
continue to safeguard against new variants. Anyone not
complying with health measures could face a fine, and carriers
will be required to ensure proper checks are carried out.
Travel continues to be different this summer, and while some
restrictions remain in place passengers should expect their
experience to be different and may face longer wait times than
they are used to – although the Government is making every
effort to speed up queues safely. We will continue to rollout
e-gates over the summer, with many already in operation across
airports and more to be added over the coming months.
If travelling abroad, you need to take steps to keep safe and
prepare in case things change before you go or while you are
there. Check the booking terms and conditions on flexibility
and refunds because the situation remains fluid. Many travel
firms have changed their terms to be fully flexible. Check and
subscribe to FCDO travel advice
updates to understand the latest entry requirements and
COVID-19 rules at their destination – and passengers are
advised to check all entry requirements and FCDO travel advice
before they book any foreign travel.
These measures will be kept under review and be guided by the
latest data. Public health remains our top priority, and we
will not hesitate to act should the data show that countries
risk ratings have changed.
