New travel rules for Aussies in UK as traffic light system scrapped
The British government has finally ditched the travel traffic light system. Here’s what Aussies abroad need to know.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Monday will see huge changes to the UK’s travel rules – just in time for Brits to jet off for some well deserved sun before the cooler weather sets in.
And the new rules will also apply to Aussies living in Britain.
The government has finally ditched the traffic light system and expensive PCR tests will be scrapped, according to The Sun.
However, there will still be some rules in place. Here is everything you need to know.
Go / No Go List
From Monday 4 October, UK ministers are simplifying the confusing traffic light system to a simple Go/No Go list.
The current amber and green lists will merge into one “rest of the world” Covid safe list.
Eight of the 62 countries currently on the Red List are being taken off, with a view to keep stripping more places over the coming weeks.
The current amber and green lists will merge into one “rest of the world” Covid safe list.
Eight of the 62 countries currently on the Red List are being taken off, with a view to keep stripping more places over the coming weeks.
Turkey, Egypt, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Kenya have already been struck off the Red List.
But more than 50 countries remain on the list – including Thailand, Costa Rica and the Philippines.
It means fully-vaxxed holiday-makers will finally be able to take a break in these places without forking out thousands for hotel quarantine.
New Testing Rules
From Monday, October 4, new rules are in place for vaccinated travellers.
The pre-arrival test, which had to be a lateral flow or PCR test and taken before returning to the UK, will no longer be required.
Holiday-makers will instead just need a day two Covid test (PCR only).
The day two PCR test will be scrapped later in October, with holidaymakers able instead to have a lateral flow test.
The government is yet to confirm when this will be in place, although it is hoped to be enforced in time for the October half-term.
Here are some of the cheapest places to buy a PCR test for your holiday, as the free NHS tests are not allowed.
And we’ve also rounded up the tour operators and companies selling lateral flow tests, from just £20 ($A37).
Travel to the US
British residents will be delighted to hear that holidays to the US are set to be back on within weeks.
Double vaccinated visitors from the UK and EU have the green light to enter the US from November.
But all foreign travellers will need to show proof of their vaccination before boarding the plane.
Travellers will also have to be show proof of a negative Covid-19 test – which has to be taken within three days of flight.
According to White House Covid-19 co-ordinator Jeff Zients, fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to quarantine.
The UK has been on the US travel ban list since March 2020.
Exemptions have been made solely for US citizens and permanent residents, certain close family members and other limited categories of visa holders like diplomats and UN staff.
The US is a hugely popular holiday destination for tourists from the UK.
Prior to the pandemic, more than five million people from the UK visited the US every year.
State’s big move on cutting-edge vaccines
One Aussie state has revealed its next move on a major vaccine development project – which promises to change the way it responds to future health challenges.
Read more
$1.1m plan to overhaul Long Covid, chronic fatigue care
Guidelines to treat the 750,000-plus Australians who have Long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome are more than two decades old. See the plan to fix them.
Read more