Travel restrictions: The Uk moves India from the’red’ to the ‘amber’ list
Fully vaccinated passengers from India will no longer be subjected to a mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine after the UK moved the country from the “red” to the “amber” list.
Returning from an amber list country requires a 10-day quarantine in the United Kingdom, according to the country’s traffic light system for international travel.
The Department of Transport has announced that the change will take effect at 4 a.m. local time on Sunday.
“The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, India, and Bahrain will be moved from the red to the amber lists. All changes will take effect on Sunday, August 8th, at 4 a.m “The Transport Secretary of the United Kingdom tweeted.
“While we remain cautious,” he said, “it’s great news to open more destinations for people wanting to connect with families, friends, and businesses around the world, all thanks to our successful domestic vaccination programme.”
The decision has come as a relief to the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom, which had been calling for the relaxation of travel restrictions between India and the United Kingdom.
Passengers from countries on the amber list are required by law to take a COVID test three days before departure and to book two COVID tests upon arrival in England, as well as to complete a passenger locator form.
Covishield, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in India, is likely to be covered by this exemption.
The travel list update coincided with an announcement that the cost of staying at a quarantine hotel for solo travellers from destinations still on the red list will increase from GBP 1,750 to GBP 2,285, effective August 12.
The cost of an extra adult sharing a room will rise from GBP 650 to GBP 1,430.
This is to “better reflect the increased costs involved,” according to the government.
Meanwhile, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania, and Norway have been promoted to the green list, while France has been removed from the amber watchlist.
People returning from countries on the green list will not be quarantined, regardless of vaccination status, but they will be required to take a pre-departure test and another two days after arrival.
Mexico, Georgia, La Reunion, and Mayotte will be added to the red list.
The green watchlist, which alerts travellers when a country’s green status is about to change, remains in place and unchanged, with 16 countries on the list.
