Do you have plans to travel to the UK in near future? Then you will need to understand the special requirements that you need to fulfil because of COVID-19. The United Kingdom has categorised countries according to a traffic light system, where colour is assigned based on the COVID rates in the country of departure. Countries that have managed to keep their Covid-19 rates low have been assigned a green colour. Countries that are deemed to be high risk whether due to rates being high or having variants of concern have been assigned a red colour. Countries between these two categories have been assigned an amber colour. The rates in other counties and new variants of concern are monitored closely so the countries’ categories can be changed at very short notice.
How does the color of a country change?
Currently, when you go through the list of countries, you will notice that countries such as Switzerland and Canada are on the green list. Some other countries that you can find on the green list are Lithuania, Finland, and Denmark. COVID cases in these countries are extremely low when compared to the population. Hence, people who travel to the UK from these countries don’t need to go through the quarantine process.
If you are visiting the UK from a green list country, you will need to take a COVID-19 test before departure. You will also require to book a Covid-19 test within the first two days of arrival. In addition, you will need to complete a passenger locator form. If your Covid tests are negative you will not have to go through quarantine.
If you are coming from a country on the amber list, you will need to take a covid test before you leave. You will also need to take a PCR test on day 2 of arrival. If you are not fully vaccinated, you will need to take an additional PCR test on day 8. Until then you will have to quarantine. So should have to take all this into if you have work commitments etc.
Traveling to the UK from a red list country
Traveling to the UK from a red list country is challenging. That’s because the government of the UK believes that you are coming from a high-risk country. Some countries that are on the red list include Brazil, Turkey, Pakistan, and South Africa. Even if you have entered any of these red list countries within the past 10 days, you will have to go through some strict measures. As of now, the only UK, or Irish citizens can enter the UK from a red list country.
Regardless of the vaccination status, you will need to take a COVID-19 test. Along with that, you should complete the passenger locator form. Then you will need to quarantine in one of the government-approved quarantine hotels for a duration of up to 10 days. This will cost £2,285 for an adult.
Before you travel, you should take a COVID PCR test within three days. Then you will need to book a quarantine hotel package. You should also complete the passenger locator form.
Do you need a fit-to-fly certificate?
As you can see, people who are traveling to the UK will need to take a COVID-19 test before their departure. This is applicable for people who are in red list countries as well as other countries. After taking the PCR Swab Test, you will need to demonstrate that you are not infected with the virus. This is the purpose of the fit-to-fly certificate.
You have to go through the PCR Swab Test, which determines whether you have the virus or not. The fit-to-fly certificate certifies that you are negative for the virus. If the test is positive it will obviously state this in which case you will not be able to fly. You will be able to use this fit to fly certificate UK and come to the UK without encountering any challenges. It will help you to prove that you are not infected with the virus.