HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Fully vaccinated travellers from Spain will no longer be required to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test or a day two PCR test when travelling to England following a shake-up of the UK’s traffic light system.

The announcement was made on Friday by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (pictured) who said that the much-maligned system would be simplified in light of the UK’s successful vaccine rollout.

Under the new rules which will come into effect from Monday, October 4 at 4 am, the previous amber list will be scrapped leaving only a red list for countries and territories considered a greater risk.

Furthermore, from the end of October, those who are fully vaccinated and those with an approved vaccine from a select group of non-red list countries will be able to replace their day 2 test with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of tests on arrival into England.

It is the government’s aim to introduce this by the end of October, targeting those returning from half-term breaks.

"The purpose is to make it easier to travel without the bureaucracy, without so many tests, and with a greater level of certainty now that we've got so many people vaccinated," said Shapps.

Anyone who tests positive on their return will still need to self isolate and take a PCR test, at no additional cost to the traveller. This test would also be genomically sequenced to help identify any new Covid variants.

There will be stiffer rules for travellers who are unvaccinated and coming from non-red list countries. These people will still need to provide a pre-departure, a day two and a day eight PCR test and isolate for 10 days. The option to reduce the self-isolation period will remain an option via the Test to Release scheme.

“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 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.”

Wales signalled that it would follow England in removing Turkey, Pakistan, the Maldives, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh and Kenya from the red list. It would, however, "carefully consider" the proposed changes on testing but said they are "not without risk".

Scotland said it would also be simplifying its own traffic light system but ruled out removing the requirement for PCR tests, due to "significant concerns at the impact on public health".

The UK travel industry said the announcement was a step towards helping tourism recover.

Airlines UK said it was a "shot in the arm" that "moves us much closer to the reopening of UK aviation".

Gatwick Airport’s chief executive, Steward Wingate said customers can "book with more confidence in the months before Christmas and beyond" and said there was "significant pent-up demand for travel".

Although he said that other travel constraints such as the requirement to complete a passenger locator form should also be scrapped.

The new travel rules are expected to remain in force until at least the New Year.

Source

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-system-for-international-travel
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58602481
https://www.thelocal.es/20210917/travellers-from-europe-to-england-face-fewer-covid-tests-as-uk-eases-border-rules/

Image Credit: Number 10 Flickr