From today (November 1), the remaining seven destinations have been removed from the UK travel red list.

The countries are Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

Passengers who enter the UK from these countries will not be required to quarantine in a hotel and the government will review this every three weeks.

Fully vaccinated passengers arriving into the country can now use a cheaper lateral flow test before they enter the UK and are given a free PCR test if they do test positive for Covid to confirm the result.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This is another step in the right direction for international travel with more good news today for passengers, businesses and the travel sector.

The Northern Echo: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps arriving in Downing Street, London (PA)Transport Secretary Grant Shapps arriving in Downing Street, London (PA)

“We’re continuing to make great progress as we recover from the pandemic and today is another example of how far we have come.

“However, we must not be complacent and remain ready to spring into action and defend our hard-won gains if needed.”

Delta is the most common variant of Covid but the government says the risk of known variants entering the UK has been reduced.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I am glad we are able to reduce the travel list even further, giving a huge boost to businesses, families and friends wanting to travel.

“The red list and quarantine remain vital in protecting our borders - we are keeping a small number of quarantine rooms on standby and will not hesitate to take swift action by adding countries to the red list if the risk increases again.”

What are the rules for non-red listed countries?

If you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18, you can travel from any non-red listed country and simply take one test within 48-hours of your arrival in the UK. 

If you are fully vaccinated you must: 

  • book and pay for a COVID-19 test – to be taken before the end of day 2 in England
  • complete a passenger locator form – to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England

If you will be in England for less than 2 days you still need to book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test.

After you arrive in England you must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2.

If you are not fully vaccinated:

  • take a COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 3 days before you travel to England
  • book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 PCR tests – to be taken after arrival in England
  • complete a passenger locator form – to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England

After you arrive in England you must:

  • quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 full days
  • take your COVID-19 PCR tests – you must book these tests before you travel