- new simplified travel system with a single red list and the rest of the world comes into force from 4th October 2021at 4am
- fully vaccinated travellers from over 50 countries and territories have simpler, cheaper rules, with just a single post arrival test needed
- changes come as UK welcomes fully vaccinated residents of over 50 countries and territories
From 4am Monday 4th October 2021, 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.
The new rules 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 lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.
Anyone testing positive needs 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:
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 under-18s from the over 50 countries whose vaccination status the UK recognises will not need to present a negative PDT before travelling to England.
All under-11s are exempt from pre-departure testing for arrival in the UK. If children aged 11 and over are not travelling from one of the 50-plus countries and territories where vaccines are recognised, they will be required to follow the same rules as for unvaccinated passengers.
From today, the vaccinated policy is extended to a further 18 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Canada. The recognised vaccines are Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covidshield), Moderna and Janssen (J&J).
Those eligible must have a document from a national or state-level public health authority that includes information including name, date of birth and vaccination details, as set out in guidance on GOV.UK.
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 5 days.
All arrivals still need to complete a passenger locator form ahead of travel. Travellers should continue to check travel guidance including Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before, during and after travel to keep up to date with 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.
PAYadvice.UK 4/10/2021
