insiderblmMore countries are moving to the travel green list on Sunday.
Rules for fully-vaccinated passengers arriving from France will also change.
How are the green, amber and red lists changing?
Changes come into force at 04:00 BST on Sunday.
Amber list rules will apply to France, for fully vaccinated passengers arriving in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It means they will no longer need to self-isolate for 10 days.
The green list – which has no quarantine for returning passengers – is being expanded. Countries listed now include:
- Germany
- Norway
- Slovenia
- Austria
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Slovakia
- Malta
- Croatia (green watchlist – could be moved to amber)
Four countries will move from the red to the amber list: India, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.
La Reunion and Mayotte, both French islands in the Indian Ocean, will be moved to the stricter red list, along with Mexico and Georgia.
The Welsh government is yet to confirm whether it will make the same changes.
What are the rules for returning from an amber-list country?
The vast majority of countries are on the amber list.
Adults fully vaccinated in the UK, the US and most European countries don’t have to self-isolate upon arrival in the UK. This will apply to arrivals from France to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland from Sunday onwards.
A Covid test is needed three days before returning from an amber country, and a PCR test two days after arriving.
Those arriving in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland from Spain are being asked to also use a PCR test for the first of those two tests. This is a precaution against a rise in Covid cases in the country. PCR tests are more accurate than lateral flow or antigen tests.
Adults can prove they were vaccinated at least 14 days previously via the NHS Covid Pass, or an NHS Covid Pass letter in England, and equivalents in the rest of the UK.
Under-18s do not have to self-isolate. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, children aged 10 and under don’t have to test before travel, but do need to take one two days after arrival. Those aged four and under don’t need any tests.
In Scotland, children over 12 have to take tests before returning home, and on day two.
What are the rules for green list countries?
The green list is being expanded to include Germany and some other European states.
Nobody has to self-isolate after visiting them.
Returning from a green-list destination, you must:
You only need to self-isolate on return from these countries if your day two test is positive, you develop symptoms or NHS Test & Trace says you’ve travelled with someone who tested positive.
What are the rules for red list countries?
Red-list countries are those the UK government says present the highest Covid risk, and should not be visited “except in the most extreme of circumstances”.
Dozens of countries are on the red list, including Pakistan, Turkey, Brazil and South Africa. If you have been in one in the last 10 days, you can only enter the UK if you are a UK or Irish national, or UK resident.
Returning from a red-list country – regardless of your vaccination status – you must:
From 8 August, rates are:
- 10 days (11-nights) for one adult – £2,285
- Additional adult (or child over 11) – £1,430
- Children aged five to 11 – £325
Who decides if a country is green, amber, or red?
All countries go on the amber list unless there is evidence to suggest they should be on the green or red lists.
Ministers make the decision, based on advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), which looks at the Covid situation in each country.
The lists are reviewed every three weeks and the system is similar for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Are other countries allowing tourists?
It is your responsibility to check the entry rules for your destination, which can change at short notice. Some countries only allow fully vaccinated visitors, or insist on a quarantine period.
The UK Foreign Office (FCO) provides detailed country-by-country advice.
Where can I get a Covid test for travel from?
Before returning to the UK you need to pay for a private test with high accuracy, such as a PCR or antigen test. Further tests may be required after you return.
In the UK, tests can be bought from approved providers. You can also find lists of providers in some destinations on UK government travel pages.
