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What is the UK Red List, and how will it affect my holiday?

  • Travel 101
  • By Lauren Godfrey
  • Published 16 March 2021
  • Revised 27 February 2024
  • Published 16 March 2021
  • Revised 27 February 2024

The UK Red List is a collection of countries from which travel to the UK is currently not recommended. If you visit any of these countries then you will be subject to additional quarantine measures upon return to the UK. This includes not being able to quarantine in your own home, and instead you will have to self-isolate in a Government-appointed hotel for 10-days (11-nights).

This rule only applies to British and Irish Nationals or those who have residence rights in the UK. If you have been in or through any of the countries on the Red List and are not a legal resident of the UK you will be refused entry into the country.

To discover more on the Green List, click here.

TRAVEL UPDATE
The UK Red List is currently empty and the traffic light system is inactive.


As of 4.00am on the 14th December 2021 all countries have been removed from the Red List. 

The current Red List countries are:

As of 4.00am on the 14th December 2021 all countries have been removed from the Red List. 

Our Red List FAQs

Are there any exceptions to those travelling in or through a country on the Red List and the mandatory hotel quarantine?
Yes. Some job titles are exempt from the Red List restrictions due to the work they are doing. 
Click here for more information.


Can I use the Test To Release Scheme to end quarantine early?
No. The Test To Release Scheme is not compatible with those who have visited or transited through a country on the Red List.

Are there any exceptions to those travelling in or through a country on the Red List and the mandatory hotel quarantine?
Yes. Some job titles are exempt from the Red List restrictions due to the work they are doing. 
Click here for more information.


Can I use the Test To Release Scheme to end quarantine early?
No. The Test To Release Scheme is not compatible with those who have visited or transited through a country on the Red List.

Do I still need to take a COVID-19 test to be allowed entry into the UK from a country on the Red List?
This depends on your vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated you are not required to take a COVID-19 test before returning to the UK. You must complete a passenger locator form up to 48-hours before arrival.

Non-vaccinated passengers must take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and a second test on day 2 after arriving. You must also complete a passenger locator form up to 48-hours before entering the UK.

Do I still need to take a COVID-19 test to be allowed entry into the UK from a country on the Red List?
This depends on your vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated you are not required to take a COVID-19 test before returning to the UK. You must complete a passenger locator form up to 48-hours before arrival.

Non-vaccinated passengers must take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and a second test on day 2 after arriving. You must also complete a passenger locator form up to 48-hours before entering the UK.

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Do I need to take any further COVID-19 tests once I am in the UK?
Yes. All passengers returning to the UK from Red List destinations are required to take another COVID-19 PCR test on days 2 and 8 of their 10-day hotel quarantine. This is called the Travel Test Package and must be pre-booked before you depart for your journey to the UK.

Do I need to take any further COVID-19 tests once I am in the UK?
Yes. All passengers returning to the UK from Red List destinations are required to take another COVID-19 PCR test on days 2 and 8 of their 10-day hotel quarantine. This is called the Travel Test Package and must be pre-booked before you depart for your journey to the UK.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 during my 10-day quarantine?
You will be required to self-isolate for a further 10-days. This applies to those who travelled from a country not on the Red List and are self-isolating at home and also to those who have travelled from a country that is on the Red List and are self-isolating in a hotel.

If you test positive on day 2 of your self-isolation, you will need to quarantine until day 13. 

If you test positive on day 8 of your self-isolation, you will need to quarantine until day 19.

If you are quarantining with those who you travelled with, they will also be required to self-isolate with you, even if they test negative.

Click here to discover more.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 during my 10-day quarantine?
You will be required to self-isolate for a further 10-days. This applies to those who travelled from a country not on the Red List and are self-isolating at home and also to those who have travelled from a country that is on the Red List and are self-isolating in a hotel.

If you test positive on day 2 of your self-isolation, you will need to quarantine until day 13. 

If you test positive on day 8 of your self-isolation, you will need to quarantine until day 19.

If you are quarantining with those who you travelled with, they will also be required to self-isolate with you, even if they test negative.

Click here to discover more.


Who pays for the hotel quarantine?
The passenger is required to pay the cost of the hotel quarantine. You must book your hotel quarantine package, along with the two tests on days two and eight, before departing for the UK.
The cost of this is £2,285 per person. The fee is reduced if more than one adult is sharing a room. Additional adults cost from £1,430 per person and children from £325 each. Children under 5 go free.

Click here to book your Managed Hotel Quarantine.

If you have any further questions regarding the UK Red List, please contact us on marketing@wingedboots.co.uk or visit Gov.UK.
 

Who pays for the hotel quarantine?
The passenger is required to pay the cost of the hotel quarantine. You must book your hotel quarantine package, along with the two tests on days two and eight, before departing for the UK.
The cost of this is £2,285 per person. The fee is reduced if more than one adult is sharing a room. Additional adults cost from £1,430 per person and children from £325 each. Children under 5 go free.

Click here to book your Managed Hotel Quarantine.

If you have any further questions regarding the UK Red List, please contact us on marketing@wingedboots.co.uk or visit Gov.UK.
 

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