UK Travel Update: Final Red List Countries Set to Be Removed

Starting November 1, the UK will remove the last seven countries from its 'red' travel list.

This follows the UK’s introduction of a new international travel system earlier this month, which eased testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers and classified countries into 'red' or 'green' categories.

Just a week later, the UK took 47 countries off the red list, leaving only seven destinations: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

Although the red list will soon have no countries, Transport Minister Grant Shapps, who shared the news on Twitter, clarified that the list will remain as a precaution to protect public health, with countries potentially being added back if necessary.

Green List Travel Rules

All travelers arriving in the UK, no matter their origin or vaccination status, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form before entering.

Fully vaccinated travelers from green list countries to the UK no longer need to provide a negative pre-departure test, including those under 18.

Travelers from green list countries must book and pay for a day two test upon arrival in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

In England, vaccinated travelers and most under-18s can choose the more affordable lateral flow test for their day two requirement.

Free NHS lateral flow tests are not allowed for travelers; they must order tests from private providers. A list of approved providers can be found here. Travelers must upload a photo of their test and booking reference for verification.

Currently, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland still require all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, to take a PCR test on day two. However, Wales and Scotland will begin accepting lateral flow tests on day two from October 31.

The Northern Ireland government has yet to announce its plans on this matter.

Starting November 1, the UK will have no countries remaining on its red list.

From November 1, the UK’s red list will be empty, with no countries left on it.

Unvaccinated travelers arriving in the UK from green list countries must show a negative pre-departure test taken within 72 hours of departure and book and pay for PCR tests on day two and day eight.

Unvaccinated travelers from green list countries are also required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the UK, either at home or another designated accommodation.

Unvaccinated travelers quarantining in England may end their quarantine early through the Test to Release scheme. However, this option is not available in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

The UK-approved vaccination list includes EU countries and the US. On October 11, additional countries such as Brazil and South Africa were added. The full list can be found here.

More countries, including Peru and Uganda, are expected to be added to the UK-approved vaccination list on November 1.

Any country not on the red list is classified as green, though some green list destinations are currently restricting nonessential travel from the UK.

Red List Travel Rules

Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela will remain on the UK's red list until November 1.

Until then, travelers from these countries will be denied entry to the UK unless they are residents of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) or British or Irish nationals.

UK residents and British or Irish nationals returning from red list countries must undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine at their own expense upon arrival.

All bookings must be made through this online portal. The cost for a single adult in one room for 10 days is £2,285.

UK quarantine hotels are located in England and Scotland. If you arrive from a red list country and your final destination is Wales or Northern Ireland, you'll need to book a quarantine hotel in England or Scotland.

Arrivals from red list countries who attempt to avoid quarantine will face substantial fines.

Although the UK will remove the final seven red list countries on November 1, the red list will remain in place as a precautionary measure.