{"id":2503,"date":"2021-11-10T09:49:17","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T01:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2503"},"modified":"2021-11-10T11:01:09","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T03:01:09","slug":"covid-19-entry-requirements-for-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.uk\/blog\/covid-19-entry-requirements-for-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 entry requirements for the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s good news for frequent flyers! Just like <\/span>Singapore\u2019s Vaccinated Travel Lane<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Thailand\u2019s quarantine-free travel<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>the UK<\/span><\/a> has joined the list of countries who are relaxing their borders, welcoming travellers, and learning to live with COVID-19. But it won\u2019t be the case of getting your passports ready, applying for a visa (if you need it), booking flights and heading to the airport. Chances are you\u2019ll need to look up vaccination requirements, testing requirements and more. In this <\/span>Pacific Prime UK<\/span><\/a> article, we\u2019ll give you the full low down about the UK\u2019s COVID-19 entry requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Individual<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UK\u2019s traffic light system: Green, amber and red list\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When the UK decided to control its border to limit the spread of COVID-19, the country put in place <\/span>a traffic light system for travellers.<\/span><\/a> Put simply, this is a list that categorises countries into green, amber or red countries depending on the situation in said country. Accordingly, travellers entering the UK had to follow different rules depending on whether they\u2019ve been in a Green, Amber or Red list country in the past 10 days prior to entering.<\/span><\/p>\n

Green and Amber list arrivals had to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and an on-arrival COVID-19 test (on or before Day 2 for Green list; on or before Day 2<\/span> and<\/strong> on or after Day 8 for Amber list). While Green list arrivals didn\u2019t need to quarantine unless they or someone they travelled with tested positive, Amber list arrivals had to quarantine at home for 10 days. However, they were able to end quarantine early if they paid for a private COVID-19 test through the test-to-release scheme.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As for Red list countries, entry was strictly limited to UK nationals, Irish nationals, and those with residence rights in the UK. Just like Green and Amber list arrivals, Red list arrivals had to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. However, Red list arrivals were also required to book a quarantine hotel package (including two COVID-19 tests for Day 2 and Day 8).<\/span><\/p>\n

Ever since this traffic light system was put into place, the UK has made updates to the system in order to simplify the process for travellers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amber list scrapped<\/span><\/h3>\n

First, the <\/span>Amber list was scrapped altogether<\/span><\/a>. Countries were classified as either Green or Red list countries. There were also modified rules introduced for fully-vaccinated travellers from Green list countries, which this article will elaborate on in the next section.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Countries taken off the red list\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Secondly, countries were gradually removed from the Red list as vaccination rates picked up. The final Red list contained 7 countries. On November 1st, it was announced that these remaining <\/span>countries will also be taken off the Red list<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> The Red list system will be kept in place and a country could be added back on it if cases rise there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Approved vaccines for entry to the UK<\/span>
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So now that COVID-19 vaccination rates are picking up worldwide, you might be wondering: \u201cWhat exemptions do fully-vaccinated arrivals get in the UK\u201d? However, you should first ask the question: \u201c<\/span>What vaccines are accepted in the UK<\/span><\/a>\u201d? This is because not all vaccines are recognised, so the exemptions will only be given to travellers who meet the following vaccination requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n