More countries are to be added to England’s coronavirus ‘red list’ in response to concerns about variants of COVID-19.
The red list is a list of countries from which entry to the UK is banned due to the perceived risk of coronavirus infections being imported. British and Irish nationals travelling from or through red list countries within 10 days before their arrival to the UK can still cross the border, however, they will have to stay in a government-approved quarantine hotel. All other arrivals to the UK from red list countries are banned and arrivals will be refused entry at the border.
It has been announced that Pakistan, Kenya, Bangladesh and the Philippines will be added to the red list, though this will not take effect until 4am on Friday 9 April.
No direct flight bans from these countries will be put in place according to the government, but passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling. Announcing the news, the Department for Transport said “British nationals currently in the countries on the red list should make use of the commercial options available if they wish to return to England. Commercial routes that will enable British and Irish nationals and residents to return to England continue to operate.”
The full list of red list travel ban countries can be found on gov.uk. Under current lockdown rules in England, overseas holidays are banned until at least 17 May.