UK Green List Travel Update: What You Need to Know

The UK’s “Green List” of travel destinations has been updated, and there are some important changes to know about if you’re planning a trip. Here’s what you need to know.

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Introduction

The UK’s green list for travel has been updated, and there are some important changes to know about if you’re planning a trip. Here’s what you need to know about the latest update.

The biggest change is that Portugal has been removed from the list, which means that anyone returning from Portugal will now have to self-isolate for 10 days upon their return. This is a significant change, as Portugal was one of the most popular destinations on the list.

Another change is that only those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 will be exempt from having to take a PCR test before entering the UK. This is a new requirement, and it applies to all travel, not just green list countries. The full list of exempted countries can be found here.

Finally, there are some changes to the rules for children under the age of 18. If they are travelling with an adult who is not their parent or guardian, they will now need to provide written consent from their parent or guardian in order to enter the UK.

These are the main changes to know about in the latest update to the UK’s green list for travel. Be sure to check back for more updates as the situation develops.

What is the UK Green List?

The United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has published their travel guidance update for May 17th, which includes information on the UK’s new “Green List.”

The FCDO is advising against all non-essential international travel, but is offering different guidance for those plans that cannot be avoided. The “Green List” designates countries that pose the lowest risk for British travelers, where currently there are no restrictions on returning from or visiting.

Before making any travel plans, it is important to check the FCDO website for the latest updates and Green List countries, as the list is subject to change. For more detailed information about what you need to know before traveling, please see the full guidance from the FCDO below.

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Who can travel on the UK Green List?

The UK Green List is a list of countries and territories from which people can arrive in England without needing to self-isolate.

The list is designed to make it easier and safer for people to travel, while also protecting public health at home.

It is based on the latest scientific evidence on the spread of Covid-19 and will be reviewed every three weeks.

To be included on the UK Green List, a country or territory must meet four criteria:
-They must have a low rate of infection (new cases per 100,000 people);
-They must have a low rate of immunization against Covid-19;
-They must have a good genomic surveillance capability (the ability to identify new variants); and
-They should not pose an unacceptable public health risk to the UK.

At present, there are 12 countries and territories on the UK Green List: Australia, Brunei, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Israel and Jerusalem, New Zealand, Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores), Singapore, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, St Helena Tristan da Cunha.

All but two of these (Iceland and Portugal) are part of what is known as the ‘Common Travel Area’ (CTA), which also includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. This means that there are no travel restrictions between these countries/territories and England.

What are the requirements for travel on the UK Green List?

As of May 17, 2021, the United Kingdom has updated its travel advisory, reopening borders to a select number of countries on what is known as the “Green List.”

Travelers from Green List countries will not need to quarantine upon arrival in the UK, though they will be required to take a pre-departure test as well as two PCR tests during their stay.

The full list of requirements for travel on the UK Green List can be found here.

What are the benefits of travel on the UK Green List?

As of May 17th, 2021, the UK government has updated their travel advice for going abroad. The list of countries classified as ‘amber’ has increased, meaning that only those on the ‘green’ list are currently advised to travel. So, what are the benefits of travel on the UK Green List?

The first and most obvious benefit is that you are less likely to contract COVID-19 while travelling to a country on the green list. This is because the infection rate is lower in these countries, meaning that you are at less risk of being exposed to the virus.

Secondly, if you do contract COVID-19 while abroad, it is more likely that you will be able to get treatment in a country on the green list. This is because these countries have better healthcare systems and are more likely to have access to the necessary medical supplies.

Thirdly, travelling to a country on the green list means that you will not have to self-isolate for 14 days upon your return to the UK. This is a significant benefit as it saves you time and money, and means that you can continue with your normal routine upon your return.

Finally, travelling to a country on the green list is generally cheaper than travelling to a country on the amber or red list. This is because there are no restrictions in place for green list countries, so you can book flights and accommodation in advance without having to worry about changes in regulations.

Overall, travelling to a country on the UK green list offers several benefits over other destinations. If you are planning on travelling abroad this year, be sure to check whether your chosen destination is on the Green list before booking anything.

What are the risks of travel on the UK Green List?

The UK has released its “Green List” of countries that are safe to visit, but what are the risks of travel?

As the UK begins to reopen after months of lockdown, many people are eager to take a holiday. The release of the “Green List” of countries that are safe to visit has given people hope that they can finally escape the confines of their homes.

However, there are still risks associated with travel, even to Green List countries. The UK government is clear that travel should only be undertaken if it is absolutely necessary, and that people should be aware of the risks before they book a trip.

There are three main risks associated with travel: contracting Covid-19, having to quarantine on return to the UK, and getting stranded abroad if there is a change in travel restrictions.

The risk of contracting Covid-19 obviously varies from country to country, and you should check the latest advice from the Foreign Office before you travel. In general, however, the risk is lower in countries on the Green List than in other countries.

It is also important to remember that even if you do not contract Covid-19 while abroad, you may be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK. This is because Green List countries may have different restrictions in place than the UK, and you may be exposed to the virus while travelling.

Finally, there is always a risk that travel restrictions could change at short notice, leaving you stranded abroad. This risk applies to all international travel at the moment, not just travel on the Green List.

So, while travelling to a Green List country may be safer than travelling elsewhere, it is still not without risks. You should consider these risks carefully before booking any trips abroad.

What are the restrictions for travel on the UK Green List?

The UK Green List is a list of countries and territories to which travel is permitted without the need to quarantine on return. The list is reviewed every three weeks in line with the latest scientific evidence.

As of May 17th, 2021, the UK Green List comprises of 12 destinations:

-Aland Islands
-Australia
-Brunei
-Faroe Islands
-Gibraltar
-Iceland
-Israel and Jerusalem
-New Zealand
-Singapore
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, Ascension Island
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not currently a requirement for travel on the UK Green List. However, all passengers returning from a UK Green List destination must take a pre-departure Covid test within 72 hours of their flight, as well as a PCR test on or before day 2 of their return to the UK.

How long will the UK Green List be in place?

The UK Green List is subject to constant review and may change at any time. The current list is valid until May 17, 2021.

What is the future of the UK Green List?

The UK’s approach to managing the risk of coronavirus is set out in a traffic light system. The intention is that this will make it easier for people to understand the level of risk in each country and make an informed decision about whether to travel.

It is important to remember that the government’s advice is only guidance and that you should also consider your own personal circumstances before booking any travel.

The traffic light system has three categories – green, amber, and red. The vast majority of countries are currently classified as red, which means that non-essential travel is not advised.

There are a small number of countries on the green list, which means that travel is allowed but you should check the latest guidance before booking any trips.

The government has said that it will review the list every three weeks and add more countries if it is safe to do so.

So far, there have been no changes to the list since it was first published on May 17th.However, there have been some reports in the media suggesting that this could change in the near future.

According to The Times, ministers are considering making changes to the list as early as next week, with Portugal being added and Greece removed. This would be based on evidence showing a rise in cases in Greece and a decrease in Portugal.

The Telegraph also reports that changes could be made next week, with additions including Malta, Monaco, and Cyprus. Iceland could also be removed from the list due to an increase in cases.

Conclusion

As the UK looks to begin reopening, the government has released a list of 12 countries that UK residents can visit without having to self-isolate on their return. This ‘Green List’ will be reviewed every three weeks, with the first review taking place on May 17th.

The decision to add a country to the Green List is based on a number of factors, including the rate of infection, vaccination rates and what kind of variants are present. The list is also subject to change at short notice, so it’s important to check for updates before booking any travel.

For now, only 12 countries have been added to the Green List:
-Australia
-New Zealand
-Singapore
-Brunei
-Iceland
-Faroe Islands
-Gibraltar
-Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores)
-Israel and Jerusalem
-South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
– Falkland Islands