The new rules, which took effect from Monday, 4 October ,
stated that countries around the world that have been categorized as either red
or the rest of the world list, will be replacing the green and amber lists.
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.
“All under-11s, regardless of where they are travelling
from, 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-plus countries
and territories where vaccines are recognised, they will be required to follow
the same rules as for unvaccinated passengers,” the new law said.
However, 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.
The UK government in October, said eligible fully vaccinated
passengers with an approved vaccine and recognized 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 in England.
It said this will be 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,” It said.
The government is expanding the country’s vaccinated policy
to a further 18 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and
Canada.
It noted that the recognized COVID-19 vaccines are Pfizer
BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covidshield), Moderna and Janssen
(J&J).
The government maintained that it would take a phased
approach to recognizing vaccines administered by other countries and
territories, building on the success of the pilot with the US and Europe.
The UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said the country
is accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and
remains open for good.
Mr. Shapps stated that the new simplified rules 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.
Countries flagged as red list are those with the highest
risk of the virus.
Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde,
Chile, Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Georgia,
Guyana,Haiti, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mayotte, Mexico, Mongolia,
Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Philippines, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,Somalia,South Africa,
Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago,Tunisia,Uganda,
Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Following complaints by travellers to the UK, the UK
authorities had said they would soon simplify existing travel rules for
Nigerians and other international visitors to the country.
Before now, travellers from Nigeria and other countries were
made to undergo two COVID-19 tests on day 2 and day 8 of their arrival.
“You can imagine the frustrations of Nigerians visiting the
UK. After taking two doses of vaccines in Nigeria, you are still made to pay
for accommodation for isolation while you also pay for tests.
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