Simon Calder says current UK travel rules are a ‘mess’

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The rules will change on Monday October 4 for those who are coming into the country from amber-list, or “rest of world” countries. This will mean that fully-vaccinated travellers will not need a pre-departure test for coming back to the UK from a non-red list country.

Currently, there will be a Day 2 PCR requirement, but this is expected to be replaced by the cheaper lateral flow test towards the end of this month.

Travellers who are under 18, and from the UK or one of the more than 50 countries with recognised vaccination status, will still be exempt from self-isolation, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps previously confirmed.

He clarified on Twitter on September 19: “Under 18s resident in the UK are actually already exempt from self-isolation on arrival – there isn’t anything new here.”]

However, inbound travellers who are not fully vaccinated will still need to pass a pre-departure test.

They will also have to do a PCR on days two and eight after returning to the UK, on top of a 10-day self-isolation period.

Earlier this month, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the transfer of eight countries from the red-list to the new amber and green combined list.

This was effective as of 4am on September 22, and included Turkey, Pakistan and the Maldives.

This follows the Government announcement that the traffic light system as we have come to know it is changing to a red list, and a “rest of world” list on October 4.

However, as Mr Calder explained, it’s not really an end to the traffic light system.

He told Express.co.uk: “It hasn’t been scrapped.

“You’ve got red, which is the red list.

“You’ve got amber, which is everybody else.

DON’T MISS: 
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘not as adored’ in US as first thought. [REPORT] 
Met Police fallout LIVE: Cressida Dick told to resign immediately [LIVE]
Covid vaccine mapped: Is YOUR region winning the vaccine race? [MAP]

“We’ve still got a traffic light system, it’s just less complicated than it used to be.”

He also tipped popular travel destinations which he is expecting to see an influx of British holidaymakers.

Mr Calder added: “I’m certainly expecting airlines and holiday companies to put on some departures to Turkey in particular.”

“I would be looking personally at winter sun escapes to Egypt.”

With new travel destinations opening their borders to the UK, the US have also announced that they will lift their ban on UK passengers arriving in America.

From early November, the US will accept fully vaccinated travellers from the UK and many other European countries.

The move was welcomed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who responded that it was a “fantastic boost for business and trade, and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited once again.”

Source: Read Full Article