New Traffic Light System Will Regulate Overseas Holiday Travel And UK Visitors

Starting 17 May, people in England will be permitted to take holidays abroad in a small number of countries.

Portugal and Israel are among countries on the government's green list, which tourists will be able to visit without having to quarantine on their return.

Countries are in three categories - green, amber and red. Green countries have the fewest rules.

Their status depends on the number of Covid-19 cases in each country and the success of their vaccine rollout.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet announced plans to restart foreign holidays.

Which countries are UK holidaymakers permitted to visit?

There are only 12 countries and territories on the green list so far - these are:

·        Portugal

·        Israel

·        Singapore

·        Australia

·        New Zealand

·        Brunei

·        Iceland

·        Gibraltar

·        Falkland Islands

·        Faroe Islands

·        South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands

·        St Helena, Tristan de Cunha and Ascension Island

The list will be reviewed every three weeks, and countries can be added or removed at short notice. Although on the UK green list, Australia does not currently allow UK visitors.

What are the rules for visiting a green list country?

Green List

Travellers will need to:

·        Take a private Covid test in their holiday destination, before returning - this can be a lateral flow test or a PCR test

·        Fill in a passenger locator form online before leaving their destination

·        Take a private PCR test on or before day two of their arrival in England

·        No need to quarantine on return, or take additional tests, unless the post-arrival test is positive

The cost of a private PCR test varies between suppliers, but the transport secretary said he hoped prices could come down to less than £50 per person. Tui Group is offering test packages for between £20 and £90.

Amber List

Travellers returning from amber list counties will need to:

·        Take a private Covid test in their holiday destination, before returning

·        Fill in a passenger locator form online before leaving their destination

·        Self-isolate at home for 10 days

·        Take a private PCR test on or before day two of their arrival in England and again on day eight

·        Take an optional further PCR test on day five, under the existing test to release scheme, to end self-isolation early

Red List

Rules will be similar to those already in place for current red list countries, including India, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Peru, Brazil and South Africa.

Turkey, the Maldives and Nepal have now been added to the list, making a total of 43 countries.

People can only enter the UK if they are a UK or Irish national (or UK resident).

Travellers will have to:

·        Take a private Covid test in their holiday destination, before returning to England

·        Fill in a passenger locator form online before they leave their destination

·        Book a 10-day hotel quarantine and testing package for each member of their group before departure

·        Take a private PCR test on or before day two of their arrival in England and again on day eight

Countries can be added to the red list at short notice. If a country's status changes while you are visiting, you would have to follow the stricter rules on your return.

·       The European Commission has recommended allowing travel for anyone who has received the last dose of an EU-approved vaccine at least two weeks beforehand. Vaccines used in the UK would qualify

·        Greece's tourism minister tweeted that tourism will reopen on 14 May, but with five security levels

·        Portugal and Cyprus hope to welcome UK tourists from mid May

·        Spain hopes to open up from June, assuming the EU-wide digital certificate is in place

·        France says tourists with a French Covid-19 "health pass" (TousAntiCovid) will be allowed from 9 June

How can travellers prove they've been vaccinated?

From 17 May the NHS app will include a feature allowing users to demonstrate they have had both vaccine doses.

The system will be incorporated into the main NHS app, rather than the NHS Covid-19 app currently used for contact tracing.

The hope is that this can be used as proof of vaccination when people holiday abroad. A letter can also be requested.

What are the current international arrival rules?

At the moment, people in England face a £5,000 fine for having a holiday abroad and must fill in a travel declaration form with a valid reason for their journey.

Before travelling:

You must take a Covid-19 test (in the three days before your departure).

You must book and pay for two PCR tests for your UK quarantine, unless you are exempt and complete a passenger locator form.

Upon arrival:

You must travel directly to your home/place you're staying and not leave for 10 days.

Only use public transport if you have no other option.

Day one of quarantine is your first full 24-hour day in the UK. Rule-breaking fines are £10,000.

Common Travel Area arrivals (Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) do not have to arrange tests, fill out the locator form or quarantine.

There is separate advice for quarantining in:

·        Scotland

·        Wales

·        Northern Ireland

When would I need to quarantine in a hotel?

Anyone allowed to enter England from a red list country (or who has passed through one in the previous 10 days) must quarantine for 10 full days in a managed facility, rather than a private address.

You will need to agree to book and pay for a quarantine package in advance.

·        10-day (11-night) rate for one adult in one room is £1,750

·        Additional rate for one adult (or child over 11) is £650

·        Children aged five to 11 are charged £325

You can be fined £10,000 or jailed for not providing accurate details of countries you visited.

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Source: BBC and UK Government