UK "Green List" announced and NHS app to be used as vaccine passport

 

The UK Government has announced the “Green List” countries where travel will be permitted from 4 am on Monday the 17th May.

The current full Green List at the time of writing is:

• Gibraltar
• Israel & Jerusalem
• Portugal
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Brunei
• Iceland
• Faroe Islands
• Tristan Da Cunha
• St Helena
• Ascension
• Falkland Islands
• Singapore
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Travellers returning from countries on the Green List do not have to enter hotel quarantine or isolate at home. They will, however, be required to purchase and take a post-arrival test.

All adult travellers entering or returning to the UK must already complete a pre-travel PCR test from an accredited provider and show proof of a negative result.

It’s important to note that each country has their own entry requirements and restrictions. You can check entry restrictions for any country in the CTM COVID-Hub.

 

How does this change travel from the UK?

The UK Government’s addition of the Green List completes the traffic light system already in place with countries on the Red List facing the most restrictions and Amber making up the majority of countries.

Click here to view the full UK Government guidance on entering the UK.

Amber List Countries

Travellers returning from Amber List countries such as Italy, Spain and Germany are required to purchase a test package consisting of a Day 2 and Day 8 COVID test package. Travellers must isolate at home or in their local residence, such as a hotel if they are travelling on business, for 10 days. This is extended if they receive a positive result on either test.

On Monday 17th May, Turkey, Nepal and the Maldives will move from the Amber List to the Red List.

Red List Countries

Travellers arriving in the UK from South Africa, India, Brazil and other Red List countries must quarantine in a Government-approved hotel facility, which must be booked prior to travel.

When will the lists change?

The UK Government has stated that they may move countries to a tighter set of restrictions at any time but has initially confirmed the lists will be reviewed every 3 weeks, commencing from the 17th of May.

As countries vaccinate greater proportions of their populations and COVID rates start to fall, greater numbers of countries are expected to be added to the Green List.

NHS App announced as UK Vaccine Passport

The UK Government has also announced that the current National Health Service (NHS) app which I used for accessing medical records and booking appointments will be expanded to include an individual’s vaccination status and COVID test results.

A date has not been announced for when the functionality will be live in the app but the hope is that it will be ready for the summer.