The UK Traffic Light System Explained
From the 17th May the UK government has outlined a new traffic light system for travelling to and from the UK. The following information pertains to people travelling to/from England. For specific travel advice for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please click on the country name to be directed to the relevant government website page.
How is it decided which countries will be on the different coloured lists?
- Countries in each category will be constantly reviewed by the government who will analyse data in order to make their decision.
- It has been outlined that they will monitor statistics such as vaccination rates, levels of infections, the prevalence of variants, access to reliable scientific information and each countries genomic sequencing capacity.
- The list of countries will formally be reviewed every 3 weeks. There will be a 'green watch' list that will identify any countries at risk of changing status so that travellers have as much warning as possible. However, it has also been highlighted that decisions by the government will be made quickly if data shows the countries risk status is rapidly changing.
What does each traffic light colour mean for my holiday plans?
Green
- For those arriving in England from countries on the green list, you will need to take a test up to 72 hours before returning. This needs to be a PCR test or an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device. You need to show this test result as a printed document or via email or SMS text on your phone. Click here to read more about the type of test required.
- You must be able to show confirmation that you have booked and paid for a test on day 2 after you return to England (the day you fly home is day 0).
- Each adult (aged 18+) must complete their own passenger locator form online. Those under the age of 18, who will stay at the same address upon their return to England, must be included on an adult's form.
- You do not need to quarantine upon your return unless any of your own or your travelling companion’s tests come back positive.
Amber
- Arrivals to England from amber countries must complete the same steps as outlined above.
- In addition, however, you need to quarantine at home for 10 days upon your return to England.
- You have to book an additional PCR for day 8 (as well as day 2) after arriving in the UK.
- It is possible to end isolation/quarantine by paying for an additional test on day 5 (in addition to the 2 already required). If this test comes back negative then you are able to end quarantine on day 5.
- As with arrival from countries on the green list, all tests must be booked and paid for prior to departure from a list of government-approved test centres.
- It is important to note that the government are advising against all but essential travel to countries on both the amber and red list
Red
- If you are arriving in England from a country on the red list, then a hotel quarantine is mandatory for 10 days. This is at a cost of £1,750 per person.
- You will need to produce evidence of the hotel quarantine booking before you depart the UK.
- Travellers will be required to take a pre-departure test before setting off to the UK which will be followed by additional PCR tests on day 2 and 8. There is no option to reduce the time in quarantine if you are arriving from a red country.
Currently, the government advice remains the same for all travellers regardless of their vaccination status.
Children under the age of 11 are exempt from the testing requirements detailed above. They do have to be included on passenger locator forms.
Travelling to Iceland
Passengers who can provide evidence they are fully vaccinated or confirmation they have recovered from COVID-19
- You do not need to take any tests prior to your arrival in Iceland but each passenger does need to register on the department for health’s database no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival.
- You must provide evidence of either both dates of vaccinations or confirmation you tested positive for COVID-19 (both of these must be dated at least 14 days prior to your arrival in Iceland). For more information on the types of documents accepted please click here.
- Upon arrival at the airport you are required to undergo one COVID-19 test which is free of charge. You must then quarantine at your accommodation until the test results come back. This is normally within 5-6 hours but may be up to 24 hours.
- Children born in 2005 or after are exempt from the obligation to present a negative PCR certificate upon arrival, but will still be required to take a test on arrival in Iceland.
- No further tests are required from the Icelandic government however you must complete your PCR test within 72 hours prior to your return to the UK as required by the UK Government.
- Upon your return to the UK you will not need to quarantine (unless any of your test results come back as positive) but you will need to do an additional PCR test on day 2.
Passengers who are not fully vaccinated or have not previously been confirmed as having COVID-19
- Passengers arriving to Iceland who are not able to provide evidence of being fully vaccinated or a historic positive test must provide evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
- You must then undertake an additional test (which is free of charge) upon arrival in Iceland and proceed to your accommodation to quarantine there.
- This will be followed by a further test 5-6 days later and remain in quarantine in your accommodation until this final test. Once the results are returned (within 24 hours) you will be able to leave your accommodation.
- No further tests are required from the Icelandic government however you must complete your PCR test within 72 hours prior to your return to the UK as required by the UK Government.
- Upon your return to the UK you will not need to quarantine (unless any of your test results come back as positive) but you will need to do an additional PCR test on day 2.
Resource library
For the latest public health advice on Coronavirus in the UK, https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
For the latest data and health information on Coronavirus in Iceland, https://www.covid.is
For information about safe travel with Icelandair during Covid-19, visit https://www.icelandair.com/support/covid-19/safe-travels-shared-responsibility/
For information about safe travel with easyJet during Covid-19, visit https://www.easyjet.com/en/covid-19-travel-hub
Travel Website Development
