Red list slashed to just seven countries
Will PayneSouth Africa has been removed from the red list and the category has been slashed from 54 countries to just seven, the Department for Transport has confirmed.
In a statement released today (7 October) the DfT said a total of 47 countries and territories had been removed from the list.
The move will see strict hotel quarantine requirements dropped for travellers returning from dozens of locations, including South Africa, Brazil, India, and Turkey, meaning eligible passengers arriving from these countries need only take a day two test following their arrival into England.
The seven destinations remaining on the red list are:
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Haiti
- Panama
- Peru
- Venezuela
The announcement comes after the UK Foreign Office lifted advice against non-essential travel to 32 destinations.
The government also confirmed that passengers will be able to send a picture of their lateral flow test as a minimum requirement to verify the result when the cheaper alternative replaces the PCR test from "late October".
Changes will come into effect on Monday (11 October).
Commenting transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “With half-term and winter sun around the corner, we’re making it easier for families and loved ones to reunite, by significantly cutting the number of destinations on the red list, thanks in part to the increased vaccination efforts around the globe.
“Restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to rebuilding our economy and levelling up this country. With less restrictions and more people traveling, we can all continue to move safely forward together along our pathway to recovery.”
As part of the changes the government has also confirmed passengers will be able to send a picture of their lateral flow test.
Meanwhile, government scientists will “continue to engage with countries still on the red list and keep the evidence on variants of concern, especially Lambda and Mu, under close review in order to ensure the UK’s approach remains proportionate”, the DfT added.
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