Ahead of the UK's red list update, which is set to take place today (Thursday 7 October) or Friday, the Foreign Office (FCDO) has removed its warning against non-essential travel to more than 30 countries.
Although the Department of Transport are in charge of the red list changes, the F oreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also issued an update on advice.
The advice against non-essential travel to 32 countries and territories has now been lifted as a result.
Bangladesh, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana and Malaysia are among the locations for which travel advice based on the risk of coronavirus has been relaxed, the said.
The UK will stop advising Britons to avoid all but essential travel to non-red list countries on Covid-19 grounds except in “exceptional circumstances” such as if the local healthcare system is overwhelmed, the FCDO added.
This will make it easier for people visiting those locations to obtain travel insurance.
Before the changes, the FCDO advised against non-essential travel due to the virus to 117 countries and territories.
Advice is expected to be lifted for more locations in the coming days.
The FCDO said the change in policy follows the “improved public health in many countries” and the “decreased risk to British nationals” as a result of the vaccine rollout.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “These rule tweaks will make travelling more straightforward, supporting businesses and families right across Britain – and allow more of us to see friends and loved ones with greater peace of mind.
“We’re striking the right balance between keeping people safe which remains our priority and giving them the freedom to exercise personal responsibility, while supporting the travel sector as it continues to recover.”
The full list of countries for which the FCDO has eased its travel advice is:
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Benin
- Comoros
- Tokelau and Niue
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Solomon Islands
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Congo
- America Samoa
- French Polynesia
- Ghana
