All the new travel rules for holidaymakers as traffic light system simplified

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From Monday 4^th October, the traffic light system will be replaced with a single red list, and a second list for simplified measures for the rest of the world.

New system

A simplified international travel system will replace current rules – with the traffic light lists being scrapped and testing requirements eased.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed that the new system will be enforced from Monday 4^th October, while eight countries will be removed form the red list on Wednesday 22^nd September.

From 4am on Monday 4^th October, the traffic light system will be replaced with a single red list, and a second list for simplified measures for the rest of the world.

Those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will not need to take a pre-departure test before arrival into England from a non-red list country.

Then, from the end of October, the day two PCR test will be replaced with a lateral flow test for eligible fully vaccinated passengers and those with an approved vaccine form a select group of non-red countries.

A date for this hasn’t yet been confirmed, but the government hopes to have this measure in place by the October half-term.

Positive tests

Those who test positive for coronavirus will have to isolate and take a PCR test to confirm the result, which will also help the government identify new variants.

Unvaccinated passengers from non-red countries will still have to test before departure and take PCR tests on day two and eight.

Fully vaccinated travellers from an approved list of countries will also be welcomed into the UK in the same way as fully vaccinated UK travellers from October 4^th.

Grant Shapps Transport Secretary said: “Today’s changes mean a simpler, more straightforward system. One with less testing and lower costs, allowing more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business around the world while providing a boost for the travel industry.”

Public Health

“Public health has always been at the heart of our international travel policy and with more than 8 in 10 adults vaccinated in the UK, we are now able to introduce a proportionate updated structure that reflects the new landscape.”

Eight countries will be removed form the red list at 4am on Wednesday 22^nd September. They are Turkey, Pakistan, The Maldives, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh and Kenya.