Red list countries: the final seven destinations set to be removed

The UK Government has announced the removal of all remaining countries from the red list at the latest travel announcement.

The decision sees the seven high-risk countries, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Haiti and Venezuela, downgraded to low risk and the requirement to enter hotel quarantine for passengers arriving from these countries removed from November 1.

The changes will come into effect at 4am on Monday, November 1. The decision follows the removal of 47 countries at the last announcement on October 8, including all nations in Africa and Asia, the abolishment of the green and amber list and the relaxation of travel testing and quarantine rules for vaccinated travellers.

Since its introduction at the start of 2021, adults returning from the red list countries have had to pay up to £2,285 to stay in a quarantine hotel for 10 days. The rate for one additional adult, or a child aged 12 or over, is £1,430; while children aged between 5–11 are £325 each. Those in financial hardship have been able to avoid the large fee.

Since February 15, arrivals who have tried to cover up their arrival from a red list country have also faced jail sentences of up to 10 years, whilst anyone who has tried to avoid mandatory hotel quarantine has faced fines of up to £10,000. From November 1 the hotel quarantine scheme will become effectively redundant with the removal of the final countries from the red list.

However, Grant Shapps has confirmed: “We will keep the red list category in place as a precautionary measure to protect public health and are prepared to add countries and territories back if needed, as the UK’s first line of defence.”

It has been reported, that in the future, anyone returning from a red list country could be allowed to quarantine at home for 10 days, irrespective of whether or not they are fully jabbed, rather than a hotel, as Ministers are expected to consider a plan to scrap the scheme entirely – this has not been announced and might not be enacted until the New Year, however.

A fine continues to enforce the testing system. Travellers arriving from any country could be fined £500 if they do not have a valid test result.