Transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the move on Thursday (28 October), but said both the red list concept and hotel quarantine measures would be held in reserve and deployed, if necessary, to guard against the import of new variants of Covid-19.
It means from 4am on Monday (1 November), travellers from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela will no longer have to submit to 10 days’ mandatory isolation upon arrival in England.
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, said: “At long last, we can finally say farewell to the red list, which has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the travel industry for many, many months. Its new use as a ‘precautionary measure’ for exceptional circumstances should have been used for that purpose month ago.
"Nevertheless, we welcome this news – in particular, the removal of the Dominican Republic, which is usually in high demand at this time of year for its winter sun and excellent value. We look forward to being able to help our customers plan their much-awaited holidays here, knowing there will be much more confidence in the market."
Dobson, though, urged the government to be open, transparent and proactive if and when it came to any future use of the red list and hotel quarantine.
"It is not enough, however, for the UK government to confirm the red list’s precautionary status," said Dobson. "The industry must know exactly when and how this could be deployed in the immediate future to avoid unnecessary disruption and allow businesses to suitably plan for recovery. Engagement must be ongoing and transparent with the industry."
Abta hailed the decision, and remarked on how – combined with other recent changes to the UK’s travel rules – the travel landscape had become significantly easier to navigate.
"The decision to remove the remaining seven countries from the red list is welcome news for international travel," said director of communications Graeme Buck. "Abta has been calling for the government to keep the red list under review and act swiftly to remove countries when there is a reduced threat of Covid-19, so it’s great to see the government responding to these calls.
"This news, together with the introduction of Day 2 lateral flow tests instead of PCRs for fully vaccinated travellers returning to England – and Scotland and Wales from 31 October – means the process of booking and travelling on a foreign holiday is now cheaper and easier.
"We’re encouraging anyone who is thinking of heading abroad in the coming months to speak to an Abta member, who can guide them through these changes and find their perfect break."
Julia Simpson, president and chief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council, added: “WTTC is pleased the government has finally listened to voices from across the travel and tourism sector by removing all countries from the discredited red list, allowing everyone fully-vaccinated to travel freely – and safely.
"This will provide a much-needed boost for the travel and tourism sector. While the red list is being kept in reserve, we hope the government won’t at any time re-introduce costly and unnecessary hotel quarantines and shift its risk assessment from entire countries to individuals."
‘Simpler approach’
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said while the news was welcome, travel remained "highly complex".
"The removal of the final seven countries from the red list is welcome news and will be another boost for the industry, business travel and the visiting friends and family market.
"The current positivity rates amongst travellers returning home to the UK (including those unvaccinated) stands at 0.3%, far less than at home and with no variants of concern from any red list destination the continuation of the red list carried no foundation.
"In spite of relaxed restrictions, travel still remains highly complex due to the different protocols imposed by individual destinations and the four nation approach makes it a challenge for the industry and consumers.
"We will continue to lobby for a simpler approach moving into the new year. If the government wanted to give the industry an early Christmas present, they’d scrap all testing for vaccinated travellers, align with a UK wide four nation approach and progress international collaboration with more vigour to ensure global travel can really take steps towards meaningful recovery."
