New UK travel red list and other rules changing from today

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Yet another shake-up to the UK travel list comes in to effect today.

Recently, the travel list was simplified from the green, amber and red traffic light system to just two lists – one red and one green. The green list is now known as the "rest of world" list.

The red list contained 54 countries, but has as of 4am today been slashed to just seven. All remaining countries are either in South America or the Caribbean.

Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela are the seven countries that still require Brits to quarantine for 10 days in a government quarantine facility. A stay at one of these will set an adult back £2,285.

Those who are fully vaccinated from Covid-19 and are returning from a rest of world still need to take a PCR test within two days of returning to the UK.

This will eventually change to cheaper lateral flow tests. Transport secretary is keen to get rid of PCR tests by the half-term holidays, though it has not been confirmed if this will happen yet.

How will this affect travel?

The travel industry has suffered hugely since the pandemic and relied heavily on the furlough scheme.

Customers were put off by travel restrictions even as countries around the world began to open up, due to costly tests and the inconvenience of quarantine.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: "Bookings are up across all seasons with the rest of October, half-term, Winter and Summer 2022 all seeing strong growth.

“Bookings have been increasing significantly in recent weeks however customers clearly view this latest announcement as the genuine reopening of international travel.”

Where am I still unable to travel to?

Just because the government is removing countries from its red list, it does not mean that countries are removing the UK from their lists. Each country still has its own restrictions for UK travellers, so you should check with the foreign office before attempting to go somewhere abroad.

See a full list of restrictions placed on UK travellers by other countries below, compiled by BirminghamLive.

Bulgaria – Bulgaria has announced that the UK is now on its own red list from 19 July.

Luxembourg – No non-essential travel permitted.

Russia – Blanket ban on foreign travellers.

Slovakia – No non-essential travel permitted.

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Sweden – Brits must give proof of negative test and be exempt from their travel ban.

The United States – From November, UK travellers can enter the US provided they are fully vaccinated and can show proof of a negative test no older than 87 hours before departure.

Argentina – Ban on foreign travellers.

Algeria – No flights.

Benin – No travel unless 'extreme necessity'.

Cameroon – Borders tightly restricted.

Chile – Ban on foreign travellers.

Guatemala – Ban on UK travellers.

Honduras – Ban on UK travellers.

Suriname – Closed borders.

Bhutan – Ban on foreign travellers.

Brunei – Severe restrictions, only accepting people for essential reasons.

Cambodia – Visa policy suspended.

China – Ban on UK travellers.

Hong Kong – Ban on UK travellers.

Indonesia – On the red list.

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Japan – Short-team visits allowed only, and only for exceptional circumstances.

Kazakhstan – Ban on foreign travellers.

Laos – No visas for UK.

Iran – Ban on foreign travellers.

Kuwait – Ban on foreign travellers.

Malaysia – Ban on foreign travellers.

Mongolia – Ban on foreign travellers.

Myanmar – Ban on foreign travellers.

Qatar – Qatar requires you to get prior approval to enter country.

Singapore – Pre-travel permission needed from Singapore government.

South Korea – Visas suspended.

Taiwan – Ban on tourists or social travelling.

Thailand – Special permission needed from Thai government.

Turkmenistan – Entry to Turkmenistan is prohibited for tourists.

Vietnam – Vietnam is not open for tourism.

Madagascar – No overseas travel.

Niger – Only nationals allowed.

New Zealand – Closed borders.

Australia – Only citizens can travel, and their immediate family members.

Fiji – Flights grounded.

Nauru – Non-essential travel to Nauru.

Pitcairn Islands – The borders are closed.

Tonga – Tongan borders are closed to entry to all foreigners.

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