As of 4am GMT October 4th 2021 the somewhat confusing traffic light system associated with UK travel rules will be removed and a less colourful system has been introduced. Simply split as red countries and the rest of the world. The rules for travel from countries and territories not on the red list will depend on your vaccination status.
What vaccines count?
So to be eligible for skipping self quarantine and multiple PCR tests travellers must have had a full course of the Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna or Janssen vaccines
But not from any country?
No – If travellers received their double dose vaccine in either of the following countries; the UK, Europe, USA, UAE, Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea or Taiwan.
Any more T’s and C’s?
You must have had the complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive.
These rules don’t apply if travellers are under 18 and resident in the UK or one of the listed countries or territories with approved vaccination programmes (see the big list above)
Hurrah!
If you qualify as fully vaccinated you will still have to:
book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in UK
complete your passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in England
take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive in England
Under the new rules, you will not need to:
take a pre-departure test
take a day 8 COVID-19 test
quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days after you arrive in England
I didn’t say it wasn’t confusing but definitely *less* confusing – with the winter months looming, with it comes infamous British weather so we think this change to the rules is mostly beneficial for British expatriates abroad for the time being. But with that said, check out the gorgeous Peaks partner hotels you can stay at if you get yourself over to the British Isles.
