It is widely reported that people in Britain that have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will soon be permitted to travel by air to those countries that the UK has designated as being on the green list.
Helen Coffey writing in the UK Independent paper said today, quote.
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, announced the destinations that would be initially designated green and red in early May, with the rest of the world falling into the “amber” category.
Since then, there have been two “reviews” to the lists: one on 3 June, and the latest one on 24 June.
Madeira, Malta and the Balearic Islands were among the 16 destinations added to the quarantine-free green list in the most recent reshuffle.
The 56 “red list” countries, meanwhile, are deemed the most high risk when it comes to coronavirus, and come with the tightest rules to match: travellers arriving to the UK from these countries must pay to spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel and take two PCR tests.
According to Mr Shapps, red list countries are “those which should not be visited except in the most extreme of circumstances”.
The 27 “green list” countries have the lightest restrictions on entry back into the UK, with no quarantine imposed and travellers merely required to take one PCR test within two days of arrival.
“Amber list” countries – which include the US and most of Europe – require arrivals to self-isolate at home for 10 days and pay for two PCR tests, one on day two and one on day eight.
All travellers must show proof of a negative Covid test – PCR, rapid antigen or lateral flow – before departure to the UK.
There has been much confusion over whether leisure travel to amber countries is allowed. Boris Johnson has advised against it, saying during PMQs: “It is very, very clear – you should not be going to an 'amber list' country except for some extreme circumstance, such as the serious illness of a family member. You should not be going to an 'amber list' country on holiday.”
However, there is no longer a legal ban; travellers do not have to prove an essential reason for flying to an amber list country, nor can they be fined for doing so.
Government ministers have confirmed that they are “working on” plans to scrap quarantine for amber list arrivals who have been fully vaccinated. It is hoped the measure might be introduced in August.
Popular holiday destinations in the amber category include Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Greece.
End of quote,
Comment
Fiju and Papua New Guinea are on the UK’s amber list for travel (and both countries are battling Covid-19,
The Solomon Islands is also included in the amber list despite being Covid free. I conclude this to be rather unwarranted or fair.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
