The government is due to review its red list of countries this week meaning there could be fresh changes.
However, it is unlikely more nations will be dumped into the red zone category. But there could be restrictions placed on UK visitors by other nations concerned at growing rates of Covid infects in this country.
The next review is expected on Wednesday or Thursday this week, and there is speculation the red list could be abolished completely with infection rates much higher in the UK than in many other countries. A passenger’s vaccination status now appears more important than the country they have left.
The two-tier system announced earlier this month made travel more restrictive for unvaccinated travellers, who present a greater risk, while making it easier for fully-jabbed passengers. The Passenger Locator Form will also remain indefinitely.
Those who have not been fully vaccinated - aged 18 or over - still have to self-isolate at home for 10 days after arrival in the UK.
They also need to
- take a PCR or lateral flow/antigen test (not a free NHS test) in the three days before travel to the UK
- take a test on or before day two and on or after day eight after return.
Test to Release remains an option for unvaccinated passengers to England who want to shorten their quarantine.
However, Ireland banished its red list travel rules earlier this month while restrictions were also eased in parts of Australia, prompting calls for further relaxation of regulations in the UK.
Travel consultant Paul Charles, boss of The PC Agency, posted recently: "After Ireland and Australia abolished their quarantine hotels over the last week, there’s no need for a red list at all in the UK. There is zero evidence now of new variants of concern. It’s time to remove the hotel containment policy completely."
Hotel quarantine remains in place for travellers arriving from:
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Haiti
- Panama
- Peru
- Venezuela
The Foreign Office has also removed 'no-go' travel advice to UK citizens to avoid holidays in 32 destinations, including Bangladesh, Fiji, Gambia and Malaysia.
The destinations were not included on the government red list, but non-essential travel was not recommended because concerns over Covid policies. The change should make it easier for people to get travel insurance.
The UK Foreign Office provides country-by-country travel advice.
Meanwhile, Morocco has suspended flights to and from the UK because of rising Covid cases, while Tunisia has also ruled that all arrivals from the UK should have proof of a negative PCR tests - even if fully-jabbed.
Further restrictions on UK arrivals are not expected to be imposed by EU nations, while transatlantic travel to and from the UK will resume next month.
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