UK’s ‘traffic light’ international travel list announced

Please note: this article was published on 8th May 2021, the information below may now be out of date. For the latest information, visit our Recovery & Support Hub here.

From 17th May, people can once again travel abroad for ‘non essential reasons’, including business, holidays and leisure.

The ‘traffic light system’, which categorises countries based on risk alongside the restrictions required for travel, has been announced on Friday 7th May 2021.

Click here to see a full list of countries that are on the green, amber and red lists. The government strongly advises against traveling to red countries.

Assessments are based on a range of factors, including the proportion of a country’s population that has been vaccinated, rates of infection, emerging new variants, and the country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing.

Testing remains an essential part of protecting public health as restrictions begin to ease – with all arrivals who are not exempt required to book a pre-departure, day 2 and day 8 test before travelling.

Arrivals travelling from ‘red list’ countries should book a quarantine package before departure, and arrivals from ‘amber’ and ‘green’ countries will be required to book test packages before travelling from one of the government’s approved list of providers.

How will the UK Covid passport work?

Countries will decide whether they require proof of COVID vaccination for entry, and it is the traveller’s responsibility to check individual requirements. If needed, people in England who have both vaccine doses will be able to demonstrate their COVID vaccination status via the NHS app from 17 May.

Those without access to the app can request a letter from the NHS proving their vaccination status by calling 119, from 17 May. Test results will not be stated in the app and the process for booking and presenting test results for travel remains unchanged.