The United Kingdom (UK) government on Thursday removed South Africa and several other countries from its travel red list, making it easier for more people to travel to the country, reported The BBC.
Grant Shapps, UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, said South Africa and 46 other destinations will be off the red list with effect from Monday, October 11. Passengers returning to England from these destinations will no longer be required to undergo hotel quarantine.
The latest move is expected to boost the airline industry and families separated during the pandemic. Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, however, continue to remain on the UK’s travel red list.
Starting from Monday, fully vaccinated travelers from South Africa, Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, and Turkey will not need to quarantine when arriving in the UK. Travelers will still be required to complete a passenger locator form and provide a negative Covid-19 test result. Their vaccination status certificates will be recognized by the UK government as proof of vaccination, meaning they can avoid more expensive post-arrival testing requirements.
Unvaccinated travelers will still be allowed to enter the UK but will need to quarantine at home or in their place of accommodation for ten days.
Notably, South Africa has been on the UK’s red list for more than five months with travel already restricted between the countries from as far back as December 2020.
The South African tourism industry has been devastated over the past 18 months due to the pandemic. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, it’s estimated that the economy has lost R790 million for every month South Africa has been on the red list.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the South African Covid-19 Modelling Consortium has confirmed that South Africa has emerged from the third wave of Covid-19 infections. He announced the easing of coronavirus restrictions in the country to the lowest level, following a drop in the number of coronavirus infections in the country.
