The UK Government has updated its travel lists, adding Bulgaria and Hong Kong to the green list and Croatia and Taiwan to the green watchlist, meaning passengers arriving into England after 04:00 on Monday 19 July will no longer need to quarantine on arrival. Croatia and Taiwan have been added to the green watchlist in recognition that these countries and territories are at risk of moving from green to amber. Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone will be added to the red list from 4am Monday 19 July.
Due to a sharp rise in the number of cases, UK Ministers have also taken the decision to move the Balearic Islands and British Virgin Islands from the green watchlist to amber. Since the last traffic light review, the UK government notes that the case rate has more than doubled in the Balearics. Airline shares have taken a battering today in light of the sudden change as travellers seek to cancel holiday bookings. However, holiday bosses were quick to react that the news means little for vaccinated travellers. "If customers have been fully vaccinated, today’s announcement changes nothing whatsoever," said Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2. "These customers (and children travelling with them who are under 18) can continue to enjoy, or look forward to enjoying, quarantine-free flights and holidays from across the UK to any destination on the Green or Amber List this summer." Jet2 has also added thousands of seats to flights to Croatia and Bulgaria, which have been added to the UK green list.
The implementation date coincides with the changes to the requirements for passengers travelling to amber countries who have been fully vaccinated. As previously announced, from 19 July fully vaccinated people will no longer need to quarantine or take a day 8 PCR test if arriving from amber countries and territories, but will still need to complete a pre-departure test before arrival into England, alongside a PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival.
“Travel continues to be different this summer, and while some restrictions remain in place passengers should expect their experience to be different and may face longer wait times than they are used to – although the Government is making every effort to speed up queues safely. We will continue to rollout e-gates over the summer, with many already in operation across airports and more to be added over the coming months,” said the UK announcement.