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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Kate Lally

Red list update as Government changes rules on travelling abroad

The Government has made huge changes to the Red list, meaning people wanting to go abroad will have more options.

On November 25, nearly a month after all countries were removed from the list, six new countries were added back to it.

These were South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.

READ MORE: Countries that have banned UK tourists as Omicron cases rise

Since then, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia have also joined the list.

Today (Tuesday, December 14), the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said all countries would be removed from the list.

In a series of tweets, Mr Shapps said: "From 4am on Weds 15 Dec, ALL 11 countries will be removed from England's travel red list.

"All current TESTING measures remain in place & will be reviewed in the first week of January.

"As always, we keep all our travel measures under review and we may impose new restrictions should there be a need to do so to protect public health."

From 4am on Wednesday, anyone who arrives from any of those countries will not have to isolate at a quarantine hotel.

Anyone arriving to the UK will still be required to take at least one PCR test, depending on vaccination status.

As of December 7, travellers must show a negative pre-departure test, either a lateral flow or a PCR, taken no more than 48 hours before departure, before arriving in the UK.

Travellers must also isolate until the results come back.

To test for travel, you cannot use NHS tests and results of these will not be accepted. You need to order a PCR test from private test provider.

Anyone who isn't fully vaccinated will also need to take a second PCR test on day eight after arrival.

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