TRAVEL restrictions for those coming in or out of England have been relaxed in an announcement by the transport secretary.
In a series of tweets, Grant Shapps announced changes to current travel requirements to making testing easier and cheaper.
From October 4, the ‘traffic light’ system for travelling will be scrapped and replaced with just one red list, with countries not included on that list considered clear for travel.
TRAVEL UPDATE🔊: we’re making testing easier for travel 🧳💉 From Mon 4 Oct, if you’re fully vax you won’t need a pre-departure test before arrival into England from a non-red country and from later in Oct, will be able to replace the day 2 PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 17, 2021
Travellers who are fully vaccinated will also no longer need to take pre-departure tests for travelling to England from abroad from that date.
From the end of October, fully-vaccinated travellers from non-red list countries will be able to replace the expensive day-two PCR covid tests with cheaper lateral flow tests.
Those testing positive for Covid-19 will still be required to self-isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test.
Unvaccinated travellers will still have to pay for PCR tests.
We’ll also be introducing a new simplified system for international travel from Mon 4 Oct 🌐, replacing the current approach with a single red list 🔴 and simplified measures for the rest of the world - striking the right balance to manage the public health risk as No.1 priority.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) September 17, 2021
Speaking with Sky News, transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s changes mean a simpler, more straightforward system. One with less testing and lower costs, allowing more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business around the world while providing a boost for the travel industry.”
The new system is expected to remain in place until the new year.
Eight countries are also being removed from the red list from September 22, including Pakistan, The Maldives, and Turkey.
The move comes amid increasing pressure on the travel industry, especially as the furlough scheme enters its final weeks.
Responding to the changes to travel measures, Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick Airport, said they were a “significant and welcome step towards recovery” and a boost for travellers seeking to get away this winter.
He said: “Fully vaccinated passengers now have a larger choice of destinations and can book with more confidence in the months before Christmas and beyond – free from the need to arrange pre-departure tests before coming back into the UK.
“We know there is significant pent-up demand for travel, and our staff, restaurants, cafes and bars are ready to welcome back passengers over the coming months.
“However, we also hope that the remaining constraints, including the passenger locator form, can be removed soon and we continue to call for the slot rules to be reinstated to incentivise airlines, increase competition and provide passengers with greater choice and flexibility."
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