More destinations have recently been added to the travel green list, meaning UK travellers will no longer have to self-isolate when returning to the UK from the Balearic Islands, Madeira or Malta.
The latest changes to the green list – and the watchlist
The government’s green list now includes the Balearics, Madeira and Malta as well as a number of UK overseas territories including Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, the Caymen Islands, Dominica and Grenada.
However, all of these new additions will be on the green “watchlist” (apart from Malta) which means they are also at risk of being moved to the amber list. Israel has also been moved to the green watchlist too recently.
The government has said that people should “take extra consideration” when booking holidays to these destinations as “if there is a sudden change in conditions, a country or territory may be moved between lists without warning.”
Six nations have also been moved to the red list, and these are:
- the Dominican Republic
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Mongolia
- Tunisia
- Uganda
What are the rules for green list countries?
If you are returning to the UK from a green list country, you need to
- take a COVID test before departure and be able to prove you have received a negative result
- book a COVID test for day two after you return to the UK
- complete a passenger locator form
What are the rules for amber list countries?
At the moment, most countries are on the amber list, with the government advising people not to travel to amber destinations – although it is not against the law.
If you are retuning to the UK from an amber list country, you must
- take a COVID test before departure and have proof of a negative result
- book a COVID test for days two and eight after you return
- complete a passenger locator form
- quarantine for 10 days when you return home
It may be possible for you to end your quarantine early if you pay for an additional test under the test to release scheme.
What are the rules for red list countries?
Countries on the red list are those that the UK government believe present the highest risk from COVID and so should not be visited “except in the most extreme of circumstances”. Countries currently on the red list include Brazil, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey.
If you are returning from a red list country, you must
- take a COVID test before departure and have proof of a negative result
- complete a passenger locator form
- self-isolate for 10 days in a government-approved quarantine hotel – which must be booked and paid for in advance
No matter which country you go to, whether it is on the red, amber or green list, you will need to pay for a private test with a high accuracy – such as a PCR test from Fit2FlyTest. You will also need further tests when you return home. Failure to provide proof of a negative test before you travel back to the UK could lead to a £500 fine.
