From 4 am, Monday, October 4, 2021, the rules for international travel to England will change. Instead of a red, amber, green traffic light system, there will be a single red list of countries and simplified travel measures for arrivals from the rest of the world. The rules for travel from countries and territories not on the red list will depend on the traveler’s vaccination status.
Global Rules for Fully Vaccinated Travelers
Fully vaccinated travelers are those who received one of the following at least 14 days before travel:
- an approved vaccine from the UK, Europe, US, or UK vaccine program overseas;
- a full course of the Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna or Janssen vaccines from a relevant public health body in Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, or UAE – mixing between two-dose vaccines (Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna) in this list is also recognized;
- a formally approved COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial in the US, Canada, or Australia and have proof of participation (digital or paper-based) from a public health body
Travelers who are fully vaccinated in the US will also need to prove that they are a resident of the US.
Travelers must:
- book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England
- complete a passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before arrival in England
- take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after arrival in England
Travelers will no longer need to take a pre-departure test, take a day 8 COVID-19 test, or quarantine at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days after arrival in England.
Travelers who are fully vaccinated but do not qualify under these fully vaccinated rules must follow the non-vaccinated rules.
Global Rules for NOT Fully Vaccinated Travelers
These rules apply to travelers who do not qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, are partially vaccinated, or are not vaccinated.
Travelers must:
- take a pre-departure COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 3 days before arrival in England
- book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in England
- complete a passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before arrival in England
After arrival in England, travelers must:
- quarantine at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days
- take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
Travelers may be able to end quarantine early if they pay for a private COVID-19 test through the Test to Release scheme.
Travel from red countries
From 4 am, Monday, October 4, 2021, any travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, who have been in a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days will only be allowed to enter the UK if they are a British or Irish national or have residence rights in the UK.
Travelers must:
- take a pre-departure COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 3 days before arrival in England
- book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests
- complete a passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before arrival in England
After arrival in England, travelers must quarantine in a managed hotel, including 2 COVID-19 tests.
Erickson Insights
Travelers to the UK should follow local guidance, which is subject to change often and with short notice.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.