UK’s new simplified travel system takes off from today

Monday, 4 October 2021 00:01

From today (Monday, 4 October) the UK’s new travel system comes into force, with countries and territories categorised as either red or the rest of the world. The new simplified travel system also means that eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under-18s returning from over 50 countries and territories not on the red list, can do so without needing to complete a pre-departure test (PDT), a Day 8 test or enter a 10-day self-isolation period, making it easier...Request free trial

From today (Monday, 4 October) the UK’s new travel system comes into force, with countries and territories categorised as either red or the rest of the world.

The new simplified travel system also means that eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under-18s returning from over 50 countries and territories not on the red list, can do so without needing to complete a pre-departure test (PDT), a Day 8 test or enter a 10-day self-isolation period, making it easier for those travelling - whether that’s to see friends and family, or on business trips.

As announced last month, the new rules also mean that from later in October, eligible fully vaccinated passengers with an approved vaccine and recognised certificate from a country not on the red list will be able to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England. The Government aims 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, which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

“We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today’s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.

“Our priority remains to protect public health but, with more than 8 in 10 people now fully vaccinated, we are able to take these steps to lower the cost of testing and help the sector to continue in its recovery.”

Also from today, under-18s from the over 50 countries whose vaccination status the UK recognises will not need to present a negative pre-departure test before travelling to England. This applies regardless of their vaccination status.

All under-11s, regardless of where they are travelling form, are already exempt from pre-departure testing for arrival in the UK. If children aged 11 and over are not travelling from one of the 50+ countries where vaccines are recognised, they will be required to follow the same rules as for unvaccinated passengers.

From today we are expanding our vaccinated policy to a further 18 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Canada. The recognized vaccines are Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covidshield), Moderna and Janssen (J&J). This builds on the UK Government’s successful pilot phase with Europe and the US, and brings the total number of countries in scope of the policy to over 50 - with more countries and territories being added in the coming weeks. Those eligible must have a document from a national or state-level public health body that includes certain information including name, date of birth and vaccination details, as set out in guidance on GOV.UK

The government has maintained it would take a phased approach to recognising vaccines administered by other countries and territories, building on the success of the pilot with the US and Europe. Fully vaccinated residents in other countries not yet part of the inbound policy, as well as those partially vaccinated, will still have to take a pre-departure test, PCR tests for day 2 and day 8 after arrival, and self-isolate for 10 days, with the option to test to release after five days.

The UK Government is continuing to work with international partners as we seek to more regularly expand the policy to further countries and territories.

All arrivals will still need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form ahead of travel. Travellers should continue to check GOV.UK travel guidance including FCDO Travel Advice before, during and after travel to keep up to date in entry requirements and ensure compliance with the latest COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 regulations for the country being visited. Passengers should also carefully check booking conditions prior to booking.

Contact Information

Maggie Sheldon
Department for Transport
maggie.sheldon@dft.gov.uk

Notes to editors

Notes to Editors

Information on the new rules will be available on this page from 4am Monday 4 October - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
From today (Monday 4 October) the Government will no longer use a traffic light system of red, amber or green but instead focus on which countries are at most risk and people should not travel to. Countries will be allocated as either “red” or “non-red”, according to whether the passenger is fully vaccinated or not.
Passengers who have received a complete course of a vaccine authorised in the UK, or EMA or Swissmedic in Europe or the FDA in the USA are already recognised as being fully vaccinated. We have expanded our inbound vaccination policy to further countries. People must be able to prove that they have been fully vaccinated (plus 14 days) with a document (digital or paper-based) from a relevant public health body that includes, as a minimum:
Forename and Surnames(s)
Date of Birth
Vaccine Brand and Manufacturer
Date of Vaccination for every Dose
Country of Vaccination and/or Certificate Issuer
Those vaccinated with two different authorised doses across the countries in scope, or two different doses of the vaccines listed above, will be eligible for the policy. As an example, a person with one dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca in the US and one dose of Moderna in an EU country will be treated as fully vaccinated, subject to proof as above.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers will need to complete a pre-departure test, day 2 and 8 test and will need to isolate for ten days if they come from non-red countries. Test to Release will remain an option for passengers from non-red list countries or territories who wish to shorten their isolation period.
The UK Government has always said it will take a phased approach to the rollout of our inbound vaccination policy to other countries and territories, building on the success of our pilot with the US and Europe. Fully vaccinated passengers in other countries not yet part of the inbound policy, as well as partially vaccinated passengers, still have to take a pre-departure test, PCR tests for day 2 and day 8 after arrival, and self-isolate for 10 days, with the option to test to release after five days.
Arrivals to the UK will need to meet the UK’s health and border requirements and comply with the relevant quarantine restrictions if coming from a red country or if not fully vaccinated. If you do not have the correct documentation ready to meet UK health and border requirements, you may delay yourself and others, be refused entry, or face a fine.
Checks of the Passenger Locator Form and other documentation are conducted in advance of arrival and many passengers with biometric passports should be able to use the automated e-gates, without needing to show any additional information at the border.