What Countries Are On The Green List?

If you’ve been waiting to see where you might be able to go on Holiday to after the 17th of May… your wait is over! The Government has released the countries that have made it onto the green list for travel. Remember this list applies to England only, there have been no announcements yet concerning the rest of the UK.

The Green List & International Travel

International travel is officially returning on the 17th of May… hurray! To manage the risk of COVID-19 and new infections the Government has announced a traffic light system will categorise countries. Countries will be designated green, amber or red depending on…

• The percentage of people vaccinated
• The number of COVID infections
• Whether there are any new variants of concern
• The reliability of the countries testing & genomic sequencing

The colour the country you are visiting is designated will dictate your entry requirements when returning to the UK.

The entry requirements for each traffic light colour are below…

Green

You will need to fill in a passenger locator form & take a pre-departure test (either PCR or lateral flow test.) When you arrive back into England you will need to take a PCR test (NO lateral flow test) on or before day 2 of your return into England. There is no need to quarantine or take additional tests unless you receive a positive test.

Amber

You will need to fill in a passenger locator form & take a pre-departure test (either PCR or lateral flow test.) When you arrive back into England you will need to quarantine for 10 days & take a PCR test (NO lateral flow test) on day 2 & day 8 after your return to England. You can take part in the optional (paid) Test to release scheme which allows you to leave quarantine early by taking an additional test on day 5, if it comes back negative you can leave quarantine but you will still need to take a test on day 8.

Red

You will need to fill in a passenger locator form & take a pre-departure test (either PCR or lateral flow test.) When you arrive back into England you will need to quarantine for 10 days quarantine in a government-approved hotel. This starts at a huge £1750 per single traveler & includes the mandatory tests on days 2 & 8 of quarantine. You will also need to pre-book your quarantine hotel online before travel – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england

You can read more about testing requirements, how to book/cost and the Government approved suppliers here – https://pointsuncovered.com/miscellaneous/do-i-need-covid-test-to-travel-how-much-will-it-cost/

Remember always check the most up-to-date lists and requirements on the Government website here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england – you will also find extra guidance about questions you have regarding travel/testing etc.

So what countries are on The Green List?

Remember just because a country is on the green list it doesn’t mean you will be allowed to enter. In addition to this, you will be required to follow your arrival country’s rules on vaccination, testing or quarantine.

• Australia
• Brunei
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• Gibraltar
• Iceland
• Israel and Jerusalem
• New Zealand
• Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira)
• Singapore
• South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
• St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

How do I show proof of vaccination?

The Government has confirmed that you should be able to access and show your vaccination status on the NHS app by the 17th of May. If this is delayed or you don’t have a smartphone you can request a letter, this can only be done by calling 119 from the 17th of May

Will there be a warning if a country is going to change list?

The government has a green watchlist on their website here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england – if you scroll down to the heading that says – Countries on the watchlist or moving to amber – you will see it. Whilst the Government state they will try to give advance warning if there is a sudden change in conditions, a country or territory may be moved between lists without warning.

Which countries are on the Red 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
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Suriname
• Tanzania
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Uruguay
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

What countries are on the Amber list?

Any country or territory not listed above will be on the Amber list and will require you follow the entry requirements mentioned above

Conclusion

With the gradual return of international travel, we all hope COVID cases will stay low and we can return to see friends and family abroad & of course go on holiday again. Will you be heading off to one of the green list countries this month?