What You Need To Know About The New UK Travel Rules And The Amber List Countries That Have Been Scrapped
The United Kingdom's government has eased travel restrictions for people who have been fully vaccinated. Travelers who have been fully vaccinated will no longer have to undergo any testing. Travelers who have not been vaccinated will not benefit from the easing of testing requirements.
Author:Hajra ShannonReviewer:Paula M. GrahamFeb 12, 20221.3K Shares111.2K Views
Traveling to the United Kingdom has become significantly easier and less expensive as the number of vaccinated residents grows and travel restrictions are eased, effective Monday. Since the old Red, Amber, and Green lists were presented as a simple solution to international travel earlier in the year, some may be surprised by the news. The new rules, on the other hand, have eliminated Amber's list of countries. That means the UK is much more welcoming to the fully vaccinated.
Here, we'll explain how the old travel rules in the United Kingdom worked. As well as the current regulations. Many countries may be saved if they relax their immigration policies, and we'll examine the public's reaction to this change in policy.
How The Countries On The Amber List Worked In The Past
The government announced "new" travel rules earlier this year, dividing the world's countries into three broad categories. Countries in Red, Amber, and Green. To put it plainly, the countries on the "red list" of Covid-19-infected countries pose the greatest risk to travelers.
As a result, the UK discouraged its citizens from traveling to those countries. Those returning from Brazil and Mexico face even more stringent security checks than before. The countries on the green list, on the other hand, did not require a ten-day quarantine in a government-approved hotel for people who had been fully vaccinated.
Current UK Travel Rules
The Amber list countries have now been abolished by the UK. All countries are now either on the Red or Green list, making international travel much easier. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Astrazeneca or the Janssen shot require no additional quarantine for those who have received two doses or more of the vaccine. In addition, a PCR test is performed prior to travel.
All that is left is the second-day test, and even that is subject to change. That test, however, appears to be being replaced by the government by the end of October. In other words, testing could be done for much less money and in much less time.
Possible Consequences And Criticism
A few doctors are already concerned about the decision to remove the two PCR tests from the list of acceptable methods of screening for HIV and hepatitis. Aside from the lateral flow testing, they're particularly vocal about it.
In an interview with ITV News, doctor Eleanor Gaunt stated that the new lateral flow tests are missing low levels of infection. As a matter of fact, they prevent doctors from obtaining the sequencing data necessary for determining exactly which variant infected the infected person.
All of these issues may contribute to an increase in the number of Covid cases. Particularly around the time of the year's end, when people are thinking about gifts. Thirty percent of British citizens are unvaccinated, and about five million people have stated that they will not be receiving the vaccination.
This is a sizable chunk of the population that could be impacted by loosening up the rules on international travel. Vaccinated people could also be infected by a different Covid variant that was brought in from other countries.
The Significance Of The New International Travel Regulations
A year after the outbreak, the travel industry is still struggling to stay afloat. The Covid-19 disease has resulted in significant losses for many tourist destinations, as well as other financial difficulties.
Many developing countries rely heavily on tourism as a source of foreign currency. Investing in local infrastructure and public safety relies heavily on this source of funding. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, four trillion dollars will be lost globally between 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Many people have lost their jobs as a result, and there are no relief funds available.
As the year 2021 approached, the situation only became worse. Most people were put off by the nearly $2,700 in testing and quarantine fees because of the confusing and restrictive travel policies.
In areas where tourism is sorely needed, we can expect a better outcome if regulations are made simpler and less restrictive. The lifting of the Amber list may signal a rebound in the travel industry this year, according to some experts.
In What Ways Will This Affect Foreign Visitors To The United Kingdom?
What about foreigners who want to visit the UK for a while? Make sure to check the rules in your home country and if the vaccines you had are recognized by the UK. This includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen.
Non-Red list residents can expect a warm welcome in the UK. One Covid test is all that is required for tourists who have been vaccinated. For unvaccinated tourists, quarantine and two tests are mandatory.
Bad news: if you're from one of the 50 countries on the "red list," you won't be allowed entry into the United Kingdom. The good news is that the red list will be updated this week, probably this afternoon. Some media outlets believe that the new list will only include 10 countries, and that additional changes may be made until the end of October.
Hajra Shannon
Author
Paula M. Graham
Reviewer
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