Well, folks: we’re almost out the woods – or the country, to be more accurate.
The easing of the traffic light system earlier this month has been followed with even more good news: as of today, there are now only seven countries left on the red list! Which means, almost all the world’s countries are now on the green list. Good times, eh!
On top of that, the US is set to reopen its borders in early November (exact date TBC), so we can get back over to see our transatlantic cousins and the frankly ridiculous amount of world-class things to see and do in the Land of the Free.
What are the current traffic light rules?
At present, all the world’s countries are listed as either Green or Red.
Rules for Green-list countries for FULLY vaccinated travellers:
Unless symptomatic or getting a positive test, fully vaccinated travellers returning to the UK from Green countries do not need to take a test pre-departure and do not have to self-isolate on return.
All travellers, however, still need to book, pay for and take a PCR test two days after arrival back in the UK.
Rules for Green-list countries for NON-FULLY vaccinated travellers:
Non-fully vaccinated travellers returning from Green countries have to do the following:
They do have to:
- take a Covid-19 test pre-departure to UK
- isolate for 10 days after arrival back in the UK
- take a test two days AND eight days after returning to UK
Rules for Red-list countries for ALL travellers, regardless of vaccination status:
- take a Covid-19 test pre-departure to UK
- fill in a passenger locator form
- regardless of vaccination status, travellers must self-isolate in a quarantine hotel for 10 days, booked and paid for in advance (£2,285 for one adult; £1,430 for additional adult)
What countries are still red?
The current rules for Red countries are not changing, but there are now far fewer countries listed as red. As of October 8, the seven red countries are as follows:
- Colombia
- Venezuela
- Peru
- Dominican Republic
- Panama
- Ecuador
- Haiti
What about the rules of other countries?
Excellent question, we’re glad you asked. It’s really important to be aware that other countries have different rules, and it’s crucial to understand requirements from the other side before booking anything.
See the UK government’s official Foreign Travel Advice page for detailed info – just select the country you want info on from the list of links. Just because a country is on the UK green list, that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be able to travel there. Australia, for example, hasn’t allowed international visitors to enter since the start of the pandemic and as of mid October 2021 this is still the case.
When will the US reopen?
In an announcement that seems to have been a bit out the blue, the US government has confirmed that from early November (exact date TBC) fully-vaccinated travellers from the UK and EU countries will be able to enter the country. Testing and contact tracing will be part of the deal.
We’ll update more on this as details come in, but for now, feel free to start making the most of our superb deals from the UK to US cities from mid-November onwards!
What’s the meaning of life?
We’ll get back to you on that one.
