Winter sun destinations: 8 locations UK tourists can visit as 47 countries cut from travel red list
A total of 47 countries will be cut from the travel red list next week, opening up more holiday options for tourists
International travel will be opened up even further next week as the UK government announces a swathe of cuts to the red list.
A total of 47 countries currently considered high-risk will be removed from England’s red list on Monday (11 October), meaning travellers can avoid lengthy and expensive quarantine restrictions on their return.
The update means just seven countries will remain on the red list, including Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own travel rules, but have recently mirrored the announcements made in Westminster.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will lift its advice against non-essential travel to a swathe of locations on Monday, with the likes of Mexico, South Africa, Thailand and Argentina among the destinations.
The former red list countries will move to the ‘rest of the world’ category meaning travellers who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus - and unvaccinated under 18s - no longer need to take a Covid-19 test before travelling to the UK.
It is also no longer a requirement to take a day eight post-arrival PCR test, costing around £65, or to self-isolate at home. Instead, just a single day two post-arrival test is needed.
Those who have not been fully vaccinated will still need to take a pre-departure test in the three days before returning to the UK.
Travellers will also need to book and pay for a day two and day eight post-arrival test, complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours before arriving in the UK, and self-isolate at home for 10 days.
If you are planning on escaping for some winter sun, here are eight countries you can travel to from the UK as of Monday.
1. Mexico
Visitors to Mexico must register on the Mexico Vuela Seguro Platform before boarding your flight and must show the QR code on arrival at the airport. The land border between the US and Mexico is currently closed to all non-essential traffic due to Covid-19 and is reviewed on a monthly basis. Travellers will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire on arrival. Photo: DANIEL SLIM
2. South Africa
International travellers will need a paper copy of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure and must have the name and signature of the medical practitioner who conducted the test marked on it, as well as the time the sample was taken. A private test must be taken, so travellers should not use the NHS testing service. Travellers must also fill out a health questionnaire on the plane before entering the country. Photo: Shutterstock
3. Cuba
All travellers, including children, must show certified proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel at an accredited testing centre. A health declaration form must also be completed and another PCR test will be given on arrival. Non-residents must stay in a designated isolation centre until they receive a negative PCR test, which may be on the fifth day. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Seychelles
All visitors must present a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours prior to departure, and must stay in approved accommodation. There will be no quarantine requirement and no restriction on movement for most visitors upon entry. An application for entry form should be completed and returned to the Public Health Authority before travel and all passengers will be temperature checked at all ports of arrival. Photo: Shutterstock