International Travel Updates: New Rules for Vaccinated Travellers & More!

Traffic light system to be scrapped next month!

The “new simplified system” for international travel will come into effect from Monday, October 4. The new system that dethrones the traffic light system comprises a single red list and a simplified set of measures for the rest of the world.

In his tweet, Grant Shapps added that this would help the UK in “striking the right balance to manage the public health risk as No.1 priority”.

What are the new rules for fully vaccinated travellers according to the international travel system?

He 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.”

The travel PR CEO Paul Charles tweeted about two lists replacing the traffic light categories known as ‘Red’ and ‘ROW.’

His tweet read as follows: “Bye bye green and amber, and hello, RED and ROW – red-list and rest of the world. Effective 4th Oct. Pre-departure tests will not be needed if you’re double-jabbed. PCR tests are to continue until near end of Oct, then replaced by antigen, to give test providers time to scale up,” 

Pre-Departure tests before arrival into England are also to be scrapped for fully vaccinated travellers.

The transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced that from October 4, travellers who have been double jabbed will no longer have to carry out a pre-departure test before arriving in England from a destination that isn’t present on the red list.

His tweet added: “From later in October, [fully-vaccinated travellers] will be able to replace the day two PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow.”

From September 22, eight countries will also come off the red list, according to Grant Shapps. These countries include Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh, Kenya, and the Maldives. No new countries have been added to the red list.

What are the new rules for fully vaccinated travellers according to the international travel system?

From Monday, October 4, a raft of simpler testing rules will carry fully vaccinated travellers arriving from non-red-list countries.

From that date, travellers who have been double jabbed will no longer have to take a pre-departure test before arriving in the UK.

From the end of October 2021, fully vaccinated passengers and those with an approved vaccine from a select group of non-red list countries will be able to replace their day two test with a cheaper lateral flow test, favourably reducing the cost of tests on arrival in England.

According to several sources, the government hopes to introduce this by the end of October, aiming to have it in full effect for when people return from half-term breaks.

Anyone testing positive will need to self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test.

International travel gets tougher for unvaccinated travellers

While it’s good news for vaccinated travellers, testing requirements & travel rules only get tougher for anyone who hasn’t had both of their vaccines.

In a major update this afternoon, officials announced that unvaccinated people will now have to self-isolate and take two PCR tests on arrival in the UK – regardless of whether they are arriving from a red list country or not.

Countries on the green and amber list will move on to a new “ROW” (rest of the world) system from 4 October.

“Testing for unvaccinated passengers from non-red countries will include pre-departure tests, day 2 and day 8 PCR tests. Test to release remains an option to reduce self-isolation period,” reads the government’s statement.

In this scenario, “unvaccinated” also applies to those who have had only one vaccine injection, as well as those whose foreign administered vaccines are not yet recognised in the UK.

“Test to release” tests can be ordered at extra cost and taken on day five of isolation – if they come back negative, unvaccinated travellers will be released from self-isolation slightly earlier.

Which countries are still on the red list?

What countries made it on to ROW?

According to the Department for Transport, the ROW or “rest of the world” outside of the red list combines countries formerly on the green and amber lists, as well as eight new countries that will join the list on September 22.

What are your thoughts on the new travel updates on international travel? Are you happy? Or see room for improvement?

Sound off in the comments below!