Covid travel: Updated green list and new guidance on tests for travellers returning from Spain
In its latest update to the England's travel guidance, the government announced seven countries will be added to the green list and arrivals from France will no longer need to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated.
The change gives greater flexibility to holidaymakers, but as always when travelling during the pandemic, details are key.
Here's which countries are on each list, the rules for testing, the new prices for quarantining in a hotel and more.
Which countries have been added to the green list?
Austria
Germany
Slovenia
Slovakia
Latvia
Romania
Norway
The seven European nations will join holiday hotspots such as Barbados, Croatia and Madeira on the green list.
No countries are to be removed from the green list in the upcoming change.
Green, amber or red? A full list of the destinations you can and can't travel to from England
The new travel quarantine rules if you've had both Covid jabs - six things you need to know
Will I need to be tested if I travel from a green list country to England?
People who are travelling to countries on the green list from England will still need to take a Covid test up to 72 hours before they return to England.
They will also need to take a single PCR test on or before day two of their arrival into England - but there is no requirement to quarantine unless the test result is positive.
Which countries have been added to the amber list?
India
Bahrain
Qatar
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
These four countries will move up from the red list and join popular destinations like Portugal, Spain and the Balearic Islands.
Green and amber list travel: What you need to know
What does it mean when a country is on the green list?
What does it mean when a country is on the green list?
It's important to note that just because a country is on the UK's green list, it doesn't necessarily mean the country is accepting UK citizens - Australia being one example - so check with the relevant country's government website for their latest rules on tourist arrivals.
People who are travelling to countries on the green list will need to take a Covid test up to 72 hours before they return to the UK and a single PCR test on or before day two of their arrival into the UK - but you do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive.Children aged four and under are exempt from the test.
What countries are on the green list?
What countries are on the green list?
From 4am on Monday 30 August, the Azores, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Switzerland will be added to the green list. These are the other countries already on the list:
Australia
Austria
Brunei
Bulgaria,
Caribbean Islands (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Barbados, Dominica, Granada, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands)
Croatia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Germany
Gibraltar
Hong Kong
Iceland
Israel and Jerusalem
Latvia
Malta
Madeira
New Zealand
Norway
Romania
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Taiwan
What countries are on the amber list?
What countries are on the amber list?
No countries are being added to the amber list as part of the traffic light list changes coming into effect on Monday 30 August.There are currently more than 130 other countries on the amber list, including popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Italy. The full list of amber list countries can be found on the UK government website.
What does it mean when a country is on the amber list?
What does it mean when a country is on the amber list?
If you're over 18 and not had two Covid vaccinations, on arrival in the UK from amber list countries you need to:
take a Covid test up to 72 hours before you return to the UK
quarantine for 10 days
take a test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 after arriving in the UK.
However, if you've been fully vaccinated in the UK or under 18, you don't need to quarantine or take a day 8 test after you get back, but you still need to take a test on or before day 2 after arriving. You must have had your final dose of the vaccine at least 14 whole days before the date you arrive in England to be considered as fully vaccinated under the amber list rules.
Separate to these rules for UK citizens, since 2 August people fully vaccinated in the USA or most European countries will not need to quarantine if they have been in an amber list country in the 10 days before arriving. They will still need to take a test on or before day 2 after arriving.
What are the rules for amber list countries?
Unless they have been double-vaccinated in the UK or are under 18, arrivals to the UK from amber list countries need to take a test before travelling, self-isolate for 10 days, and take two test after arriving in England.
If they have been double-jabbed or are under 18, arrivals only need to take a test on or before day two of their return.
On Wednesday, the government advised arrivals from Spain and its islands to take a PCR test as their pre-departure test "as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country".
Which countries and regions have been added to the red list?
Georgia
Mexico
La Reunion
Mayoette
UK residents arriving from these places must quarantine for 10 days in a hotel.
Those who are not British or Irish residents are allowed to travel to England from these countries. Other popular holiday destinations on the red list include Cape Verde, Egypt and Turkey.
How much will quarantining in a hotel cost?
The price of quarantine in a hotel will increase from August 12 to "ensure taxpayers are not subsidising the cost" of the stay, the government has said.
For a single adult, the amount will climb from £1,750 to £2,285.
For a second adult, the cost will jump from £650 to £1,430. The price remains unchanged at £325 for children aged 5-12 and there remains no charge at all for children under five.
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Are other countries accepting holidaymakers from the UK?
A country may be on England's green/amber list, but that doesn't mean it is easy or possible for Britons to travel there.
For instance, UK holidaymakers aged over 12 must be fully vaccinated to enter Germany, while arriving in Austria from the UK is currently prohibited by Austrian law.
Therefore, it's worth checking entry requirements for your chosen destination on the government's website.
When will the changes announced on Wednesday come into effect?
4am on Sunday August 8.
What about travel rules for the Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland?
While the travel update currently only applies to England, it is often the case that the devolved nations follow suite shortly after.
Stay up to date with the changing travel situation in the UK and abroad with news, information and advice at itv.com/holidaynews