Travel update UK: which countries are on the green, amber and red list after latest government announcement?

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the changes will take place at 4am on Monday
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The Balearic Islands will be added to the amber travel list a little over a fortnight after it was put on the green list, while quarantining on return from Croatia and Bulgaria will end.

Spain’s tourist hotspots of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera will be removed from the green list from 19 July due to concerns over rising Covid cases.

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The latest UK travel update was announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on 14 July, with the new rules to take effect in England from 4am on Monday. The changes will coincide with the end of the need to quarantine for the fully-vaccinated UK residents and under 18s when returning from amber list nations.

Countries including Ibiza will be put on the amber list as of 19 July (AFP via Getty Images)Countries including Ibiza will be put on the amber list as of 19 July (AFP via Getty Images)
Countries including Ibiza will be put on the amber list as of 19 July (AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking about the changes to the Balearic Islands, Shapps told reporters: “Unfortunately when we put them on the green watchlist from then we’ve seen the rates double, and also the rates of positivity of these tests double, meaning that we’re going to have to move quickly.”

Scotland, and Wales are expected to adopt the same rules, while Northern Ireland is expected to make a statement.

Which countries will move to green, amber and red lists?

As well as the Balearic islands, the British Virgin Islands will be added to the amber list.

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Croatia and Taiwan will move to the green watchlist, meaning arrivals in England will not have to isolate for 10 days on return regardless of their vaccine status. However, the ‘watchlist’ status means that these countries could turn amber again in the near future.

Bulgaria and Hong Kong will be added to the green list, which means that travellers don’t have to quarantine on return from to the UK regardless of vaccine status.

Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone will move to the red list, meaning 10 days of isolation in a quarantine hotel are mandatory.

What are the travel rules for double-vaccinated travellers?

People who have received both doses of the vaccine won’t have to self isolate from 19th July when returning from an amber list country. However, they’ll still have to take a test three days before returning to the UK and a PCR test on day two after arrival – however they won’t need the day eight test.

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People who have only had one dose of the vaccine will still require a day eight test.

Travellers arriving in the UK from green list countries don’t have to quarantine but do need to take a PCR test two days after they return.

People arriving in the UK from green list countries do not have to quarantine but do have to take a private PCR test two days after they return.

Each destination also has its own rules, so you may need to quarantine in the country you’re travelling to.

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