Holidays and Travels - Sign of Normality?

With increasingly warmer weather and COVID restrictions from many nationals slowly easing, is it time to think about travelling again?

In truth, many people are already thinking of just that! The Home Office has now published its first list (as of 17 May 2021) of countries deemed safe enough for British people to travel to or those travelling to the UK to negate the need to self-isolate when they come to the UK.

Travel includes travelling for tourism purposes.

For those travelling to and from these counties (The Green List), COVID restrictions are relaxed, and travellers will only need to follow the below rules:

- Take a COVID test before arrival (within 72 hours of arrival)

- Complete a passenger relocation form

- Arrange for a COVID test on or before day two after the individual's arrival.

There will be no need to quarantine or self-isolate unless the individual receives a positive COVID test or the NHS Test & Trace confirms the need to do so.

The below countries are currently on the 'Green List', which is subject to constant reviews:

Australia

Brunei

Falkland Islands

Faroe Islands

Gibraltar

Iceland

Israel and Jerusalem

New Zealand

Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira)

Singapore

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

In contrast with the Green List is the existing Red List countries where travellers from these countries are barred from entry to the UK except British citizens or those with long-term visas for the UK. For full details, please see our post here.

There is an amber list for those that need to travel (either for leisure or otherwise). The complete list of countries can be found here.

For those travelling to and from these Amber list countries, they will need to follow much stricter rules, including but not limited to pre-arrival COVID testing, self-isolation for ten days, Day 2 and Day 8 post-arrival testing and completion of the passenger locator form.

The consolation is, of course, and individuals can travel for leisure to the countries on the Amber List compared to pre-17 May, where only essential travels are allowed.

Is this a sign of things going back to normal? As with the last year, things can turn South, North or any direction in an instant.

At least, there's some quiet optimism, both for travellers and most certainly, for the travel industry.

Shores & Legal are experienced and expert immigration partners for your business and personal immigration requirements. We help companies identify their immigration compliance gaps and allow companies to operate an effective immigration compliance programme. If you wish to discuss your UK immigration requirements, contact us at +44 (0) 207 097 6778 or info@shoreslegal.com.