Travel update: Red list reduced to zero in boost for holidays

28 October 2021, 18:52

All countries have been removed from England's travel red list.
All countries have been removed from England's travel red list. Picture: Alamy

By Sophie Barnett

All seven remaining countries have been removed from England's travel red list as the threat from coronavirus eases.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said all seven countries remaining on the travel red list - Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela - would be removed as of 4am on Monday.

In a series of tweets, he said the category would remain in place "as a precautionary measure" in case countries needed to be added back in.

He said: "All seven remaining countries on the red list will be REMOVED from Mon 1 Nov at 4am.

"We can also confirm that from Monday, eligible travellers from over 30 new countries and territories including Peru & Uganda will be added to our inbound vax policy, bringing the total number of countries on this list to over 135.

"We will keep the red list category in place as a precautionary measure to protect public health and are prepared to add countries and territories back if needed, as the UK's first line of defence."

The policy for quarantine hotels will also remain in place in case guidance has to change.

However, hotel quarantine stays have come to an end for now, with people able travel to these countries without having to fork out £2,285 on an 11-night stay.

Read more: Travel update: Red list slashed to just seven countries

Read more: Amber list scrapped as simplified travel rules come into force

'Travel rule breakers should spend 15-20 years in prison'

"This is another step in the right direction for international travel with more good news today for passengers, businesses and the travel sector," Mr Shapps later said in a statement.

"We’re continuing to make great progress as we recover from the pandemic and today is another example of how far we have come. 

"Whether it’s reuniting family members or making it easier for businesses to trade, the success of the vaccine rollout both at home and abroad has allowed us to reach this milestone.

"However, we must not be complacent and remain ready to spring into action and defend our hard-won gains if needed."

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: "I am glad we are able to reduce the travel list even further, giving a huge boost to businesses, families and friends wanting to travel.

"The red list and quarantine remain vital in protecting our borders - we are keeping a small number of quarantine rooms on standby and will not hesitate to take swift action by adding countries to the red list if the risk increases again."

Read more: Cheaper lateral flow tests replace PCRs for holidaymakers in 'huge boost' for travel

The Scottish and Welsh Government have since confirmed that they will follow the changes made to England's travel red list.

Eluned Morgan, health and social services minister for Wales, said the country would follow suit as "it is difficult for Wales to adopt different arrangements to those required by the UK Government" but warned "the pandemic is not over".

Scotland's transport minister, Graeme Dey, said: "Today’s decision is a further sign of the success of the Scottish Government’s vaccination programme and will enable the travel and tourism sector to take another step back towards normal operations."

No announcement has been made by the devolved administration in Northern Ireland, but in recent months they have mirrored Westminster's changes to travel rules.

The move puts England, Scotland and Wales in line with most of the rest of Europe and has been welcomed by travel agencies.

James O'Brien caller describes the type of people who break Covid travel rules

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said there's "no justification" now for any country to be on a red list or for hotel quarantine to be in existence.

"There have been no new variants of concern since May and countries are now learning that blanket border measures, such as blocking whole countries, don't work," he said.

"The best approach is to check for an individual's vaccine status and ensure they are up to date if they want to travel without restrictions."

Hotel quarantine was first introduced as part of measures to reduce the risk from arriving travellers infected with coronavirus.

However, it has been blamed for contributing to UK travel firms struggling to recover from the pandemic.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said the announcement was a "significant step forward to normalising international travel and should give people confidence to book".

She went on: "Ultimately, we need to return to a situation similar to prior to the pandemic, in which people can travel without further tests or forms to fill out.

"The UK and devolved governments should aim for this as soon as is safely possible."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Although the committee noted there were "signs of improvement", PAC chairman Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said Sellafield continued to present "intolerable risks".

'Intolerable risks': Shocking report warns UK’s most hazardous nuclear site could leak radioactive water until 2050s

Exclusive
The Home Office confirmed that 1,194 asylum seekers reached the UK in 18 small boats on Saturday—the highest daily total so far in 2025.

Amber Rudd tells Government to ‘get a grip’ as record 1,194 Migrants cross channel in one day

Exclusive
Former head of the diplomatic service Lord Simon McDonald stressed to LBC's Andrew Marr that NATO 'couldn't force the UK to do anything'.

Former Foreign Office head tells LBC NATO ‘can't force UK to do anything’ but warns of ‘painful cuts’ in spending review

The 46-year-old, who has twice won a national bravery award, then slammed the teenager to the ground and placed his hand over the boy’s face while shouting threats and curse words

Award-winning police officer sacked for ‘lack of respect’ after slamming knife-carrying teen to ground

On March 20, 2022, hundreds of protesters attended a rally in front of Hackney Town Hall, London, United Kingdom, to demonstrate their support for Child Q.

Black schoolgirl was ‘demeaned’ and felt ‘physically violated’ after police strip search while on her period

Sunny Jacobs

Exonerated US death row inmate turned campaigner dies in Irish house fire

Commander Julian Bennett outside a Metropolitan Police misconduct hearing at Palestra House, south east London.

Senior Met officer sacked for second time over refusing drugs test

Just before midnight, after major broadcasters projected that Lee Jae-myung would win the presidency, he made his first public appearance with his wife, Kim Hye-Kyung, in front of the National Assembly to greet his supporters.

South Korea opposition Lee Jae-myung wins election following months of martial law chaos

Police officers cover with an inflatable tent, behind a firefighter vehicle, the tents delimiting the scene of an incident in Water Street.

Four people injured in Liverpool parade can be named as restrictions lifted after horror crash

Search teams look through a derelict and abandoned property to the west of Praia De Luz, Portugal in the search for Madeleine McCann.

Madeleine McCann detectives drain well as police look for toys and DNA in renewed search

Sir Tony Blair spoke at the SXSW festival in London and said Britain needs to embrace AI.

Tony Blair says Britain should have AI doctors and nurses as former PM claims it's 'absurd' not to do more in the NHS

Pipers at the statue to Robert The Bruce during a re-enactment to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Battle Of Bannockburn.

Controversial trotting track development at historic Bannockburn battlefield site dismissed

Ukraine’s underwater explosion attack on Crimean Bridge caught on camera

Ukraine’s underwater explosion attack on Crimean Bridge caught on camera

Dutch PM Dick Schoof steps down and far-right leader Geert Wilders quits as Dutch government plunged into chaos

Dutch PM Dick Schoof steps down and far-right leader Geert Wilders quits as Dutch government plunged into chaos

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia

Six things you need to know about Alzheimers - as drug trials bring new hope

Police on duty outside Windsor Castle (file image)

Man in his 30s arrested after breaking into grounds at Windsor Castle