Shapps announces ‘new simplified’ travel system
The UK government is simplifying its travel traffic light system and testing rules for travellers, the transport secretary confirms.
Grant Shapps says the government is “introducing a new simplified system for international travel from Mon 4 Oct, replacing the current approach with a single red list and simplified measures for the rest of the world – striking the right balance to manage the public health risk as No.1 priority”.
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A major relaxing of travel rules for people coming in and out of England have been announced by the transport secretary.
From 4 October, the current traffic light system of red, amber and green countries will be scrapped and replaced with one red list only.
Anywhere not on the red list is considered green and clear for travel – there will no longer be an amber list.
Also from that date, travellers will no longer need to take pre-departure tests for travelling into England from abroad.
Then, from the end of October, fully vaccinated passengers from non-red list countries will be able to replace day-two PCR tests with cheaper lateral flow tests.
Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.
This means the new system, which is expected to stay in place at least until the New Year, should be in effect as people return from half-term breaks.
The government has also announced that from 4am on 22 September, eight destinations will be removed from the red list.
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The destinations are:
• Turkey
• Pakistan
• The Maldives
• Egypt
• Sri Lanka
• Oman
• Bangladesh
• Kenya
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “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 over 44 million people fully vaccinated in the UK, we are now able to introduce a proportionate updated structure that reflects the new landscape.”
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The regular three-weekly update of which destinations are designated green, amber and red had been due on Thursday but it was delayed by the cabinet reshuffle.
