The United Kingdom has released a proposed ‘Traffic Light’ system for the resumption of international travel, which could see British travellers resuming holidays from 17th May.
Under the system, countries would be sorted into green, amber and red lists; with each having varying rules for the testing and quarantining of returning travellers. The following restrictions will apply:
- Green: Arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test, in addition to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, on or before day 2 of their arrival back into the UK; there will be no need to quarantine upon return ,unless they receive a positive result, or take any additional tests, halving the cost of tests on their return from holiday
- Amber: Arrivals will need to quarantine for a period of 10 days and take a pre-departure test, then a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 with the option for Test to Release on day 5 to end self-isolation early
- Red: Arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for ‘red list’ countries, which include a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day 2 and 8
Green list of countries and territories - From 17 May
| Green list | |
|---|---|
| Australia | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Brunei | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Falkland Islands | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Faroe Islands | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Gibraltar | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Iceland | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Israel and Jerusalem | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| New Zealand | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira) | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| Singapore | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
| St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | Will move to green from the amber list at 04:00, 17th May. If you arrive in the UK before then, you need to follow the amber list rules. |
Red list of countries and territories
Three countries have been added to the Red list, Turkey, Nepal and Maldives, from which direct passenger flights are banned. If you have been to these countries in the past 10 days, even transiting, you are required to pay and quarantine at government-mandated hotels for 10 days.
| Red list | Red watchlist - moves from or to green or amber list |
|---|---|
| Angola | |
| Argentina | |
| Bangladesh | |
| Bolivia | |
| Botswana | |
| Brazil | |
| Burundi | |
| Cape Verde | |
| Chile | |
| Colombia | |
| Congo (Democratic Republic) | |
| Ecuador | |
| Eswatini | |
| Ethiopia | |
| French Guiana | |
| Guyana | |
| India | |
| Kenya | |
| Lesotho | |
| Malawi | |
| Maldives | Currently on the amber list. Will move to the red list 04:00, Wednesday 12th May. If you arrive in the UK after then, you will need to follow the red list rules. |
| Mozambique | |
| Namibia | |
| Nepal | Currently on the amber list. Will move to the red list 04:00, Wednesday 12th May. If you arrive in the UK after then, you will need to follow the red list rules. |
| Oman | |
| Pakistan | |
| Panama | |
| Paraguay | |
| Peru | |
| Philippines | |
| Qatar | |
| Rwanda | |
| Seychelles | |
| Somalia | |
| South Africa | |
| Suriname | |
| Tanzania | |
| Turkey | Currently on the amber list. Will move to the red list 04:00, Wednesday 12th May. If you arrive in the UK after then, you will need to follow the red list rules. |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | |
| Uruguay | |
| Venezuela | |
| Zambia | |
| Zimbabwe |
Amber list of countries and territories
All countries that are neither RED nor GREEN.
Transit stops in amber or red list countries
When you arrive in England you need to follow the rules for the highest risk country or territory that you have been in, or passed through, in the previous 10 days. This requirement is also applicable to transit stops.
A transit stop is a stop where passengers can get on or off the same part of the transport in which they are travelling. It can apply to ships, trains or flights. Your ticket should show if a stop is a transit stop.
The rules of a country or territory that you make a transit stop in could apply if:
- New passengers get on and are able to mix with you
- You or other passengers get off the transport you are on and mix with other people, then get on again
Traveling from 17th May
Until 17th May, you can only travel abroad from the UK if you have a legally permitted reason to do so. You must complete a declaration form for international travel.
From 17th May you will not need to complete a declaration form to travel abroad. There is nothing stopping you from traveling to Amber or Red countries from 17th May; however, PCR test, self-isolation or mandated quarantine will apply when you return to the UK.