Travel restrictions for The United Kingdom
Traveling to the UK:
Traveling has always been a desperate passion all across the globe. But when comes to traveling to the UK it becomes much more enthusiastic. Traveler’s attractions in the UK include the architectural marvels and nightlife of the capital London, the rugged peaks of the Scottish Highlands, the wide sweep of Cornish beaches and distant Welsh lakes, for starters, the historic towns and cities such as Bath, Oxford, and Harrogate, and much more.
Impacts of Covid-19 on the UK:
Covid-19, a deadly virus, has affected many countries worldwide. The United Kingdom is one of those countries that have been badly affected by this ongoing pandemic and have a major number of deaths. The new variant of this deadly virus is more infectious. The second wave of this virus during the winter months has proven so much devastating that the UK had to cancel its air links with other countries immediately before Christmas 2020.
Travel restrictions for the UK during the pandemic:
The UK went into full lockdown in early January. Travel restrictions have been applied for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland until the summer. The recent lockdown, travel restrictions, and the ongoing vaccination program have brought Covid-19 cases down in the UK. For people entering the UK from all across the globe, strict rules have been implemented.
During the 2021 lockdown, the UK clamped down on international travel due to rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases, but on May 17, international traveling was non-essentially resumed in England, Scotland, and Wales under a risk-based “Traffic light system” dividing countries into red amber or green categories. The system was implemented in Northern Ireland on May 24.
Red list countries: The countries that are on the red list are forbidden to travel into the UK except for British, Irish, and UK official residents. These countries include:
- South Africa,
- India,
- Namibia,
- The United Arab Emirates,
- Bangladesh,
- Brazil,
- Kenya,
- The Maldives etc.
Amber list countries: Travelers from these countries must quarantine themselves for ten days on arrival in the UK. Countries from the amber list currently include:
- France
- Greece
- Spain
- Italy
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Belgium
- China
- Canada etc.
Green list countries: Travelers from these countries do not require quarantine. Green list countries include:
- Portugal
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Brunei
- Iceland
- Singapore
- Israel
- South Georgia etc.
Travel restrictions for entering the UK:
All travelers coming into the UK must have a negative covid-19 test taken 72 hours before their arrival in the UK. They will have to complete Passenger Locator Form before arriving in the UK.
Restrictions for Red list countries:
Red list countries travelers cannot follow the Test to Release scheme. UK residents traveling from destinations on the red list can enter the country, but they must quarantine on arrival in a hotel for 10 days at their own expense and follow testing requirements.
There are no international flights from red-list countries for Wales or Northern Ireland right now, so if you’ve arrived from a red-list country and your final destination is in Wales or Northern Ireland, you will have to book a hotel in England or Scotland for quarantine. The Republic of Ireland has entirely separate entrance regulations, which will enforce when crossing the land border.
Restrictions for Amber list countries:
Amber lists countries travelers should follow the Test scheme. They will have to quarantine for 10 days at home upon arrival, take a pre-departure test and also take a PCR test on days two and eight of their isolation.
These travelers qualify for the Release scheme that is they can take a PCR after five days of quarantine and if the test turns out negative, they can exit their quarantine and can walk into the community freely.
There are no strict rules for amber-list countries as compared to red-list countries.
Restrictions for Green list countries:
Travelers from “green” list countries will have to take the pre-departure test as well as PCR before entering the UK.
If they follow the instructions given by the UK government, they will not have to quarantine themselves and are free to move anywhere in the country.
Travel within England, Wales, and Scotland with permits, as is travel abroad in line with the traffic light system.
Travel Restrictions for the people of the UK:
If you’re a UK resident and wish to visit other countries there are some restrictions for your traveling as well. Residents of England, Scotland, and Wales allows visiting different countries since May 17, when the restrictions to travel abroad for UK residents ended. on May 24, Northern Ireland, remove the restrictions.
English travelers are permitted to visit 12 “Green” countries without having to quarantine when they arrive back, but they have to take a pre-departure test as well as a PCR test on or before day 2 of their arrival back in the UK. Some countries currently listed as green including New Zealand and Australia are not permitting UK visitors.
Travelers can visit “amber” or “red” list destinations but the restrictions are much stricter, making them a far less attractive option for travelers.
A traveler who plans to visit “amber” list countries will have to quarantine for 10 days. You have to take a pre-departure test and get a PCR test on day 2 or 8 of their isolation. They will qualify for the Release scheme Amber destinations qualify for a test-to-release scheme, which means holidaymakers can take a PCR test after five days of “quarantine“. If they receive a negative result, they will get a permit to go out into the community.
Travelers from England who choose to visit “red” list destinations require to check in to one of the UK’s quarantine hotels and must follow the same testing regulations as for those arriving from “amber” destinations.
Summary:
Currently, under strict restrictions, the UK has much more to explore once the pandemic is over. Are you planning to visit the UK or a UK resident aiming to visit other countries? you should strictly follow the rules as mentioned above for your safety and that of others.
