How long do I have to quarantine after travel? The LATEST travel updates

Jeremy Vine caller criticises green list travel advice

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Mixed messaging from the Government has left many Brits confused over travel restrictions and quarantine rules. Those who fail to self-isolate after travelling could face fines of up to £10,000. Here are the latest updates on these restrictions to make sure you don’t get caught out.

Earlier this week on May 17 the government announced further easing of lockdown restrictions on foreign travel.

Accommodation such and hotels, hostels and B&Bs were allowed to reopen fully in the UK.

Staycations were given the go-ahead with groups of up to six holiday-makers or two households.

Further travel restrictions were lifted under the traffic light system.

The traffic light system

The traffic light system determines if a traveller needs to quarantine after a trip abroad.

Countries are given a green, amber or red listing dependent on the rate of infections and percentage of the population who are vaccinated in that country.

Different rules apply to these three lists which must be followed even if you have been fully vaccinated.

The green list – the quarantine free destinations

The limited number of countries which have made it onto the green list are considered to have a low rate of COVID-19 infections and to have rolled out a sufficient vaccination programme.

The few destinations which have been given a green status are the only countries you can visit without having to quarantine when you return to the UK.

Brits can now jet off to a limited number of holiday destinations on this list such as Portugal, New Zealand and Gibraltar.

Travel to these countries is not without its difficulties, you must take a COVID-19 test within two days before you travel back to the UK and then once you arrive back in the UK you must take a test within 48 hours of touch down. You will need to quarantine if the test comes back positive.

The amber list – quarantine rules apply

Those who need to travel to amber countries will face a mandatory 10-day quarantine period when they return to the UK with compulsory COVID tests on days two and eight of their self-isolation.

Travellers will also have to complete a passenger locater form.

Whilst travel to countries on the amber list is not illegal, Boris Johnson has stressed that these countries should not be viewed as holiday destinations.

Travel to these countries should only be undertaken for pressing family or urgent business reasons.

Most of Europe remains on the amber list as well as popular holiday spots such as The Bahamas, Fiji and St Lucia.

The red list – strict quarantine rules apply

If you have been to a country on the red list within 10 days of your flight back to England you must quarantine in a managed hotel.

Stays here will set you back £1,750 and you cannot leave during the 10-day quarantine.

Before travelling back to the UK you must take a COVID-19 test and complete a passenger locator form, when you touch back down in the UK you also be required to take two further COVID-19 tests.

Travellers are only permitted to enter the UK from a red list country if they are a British or Irish National, or if they have residence rights in the UK.

The government is under pressure to place more countries on the green list to give Brits the chance of a quarantine free foreign holiday this summer. 

It is predicted that many of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations will be moved onto the green list within weeks. 

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