Today: 4 May 2025
15 December 2021
2 mins read

Britain to remove all countries from Covid travel Red List

The 11 countries which will be removed are Angola, Botswana, Eswantini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe…reports Asian Lite News.

The government will remove all 11 countries from its Covid-19 travel red list from Wednesday because there is now community transmission of Omicron in Britain, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told parliament.

The new Omicron variant was first detected in southern Africa and Hong Kong. The British government added 11 African countries to its red list from late November, meaning that only UK citizens or residents arriving from those nations were allowed in and then had to quarantine in a hotel.

“Now that there is community transmission of Omicron in the UK and Omicron has spread so widely across the world, the travel red list is now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad,” Javid said.

“We will be removing all 11 countries from the travel red list effective from 4 a.m. tomorrow morning.”

The 11 countries which will be removed are Angola, Botswana, Eswantini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Travel companies had urged the government to reduce restrictions as soon as possible. London’s Heathrow Airport said last week it was seeing high levels of business travellers cancelling due to concerns over restrictions.

Britain will still require all inbound travellers to take either a PCR or a rapid lateral flow test a maximum of 48 hours before departure, a measure Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said would be reviewed in the first week of January.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of travel association ABTA, welcomed the removal of the red list but said testing should also have been scrapped.

“With the testing measures now extending over the Christmas and New Year period, and the industry quickly approaching peak-booking season for summer 2022, travel businesses are facing a very serious situation,” he said in a statement.

“Consumer confidence in travel has suffered a significant setback, which will outlast these restrictions.”

Arrivals from the red list countries have had to pay thousands of pounds to quarantine in government-approved hotels. Many have complained on social media about the costs and conditions of their stay.

A lack of available rooms also left some people trapped abroad waiting for space to become available in the hotels.

ALSO READ-Third booster shot can beat Omicron: UK scientists

Previous Story

UNGA President: vaccinating world New Year’s top priority

Next Story

Cambodia confirm first case of Omicron variant

Latest from -Top News

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of

Abu Dhabi, Beirut Reconnect 

A key highlight of Aoun’s visit to UAE was the agreement to ease travel restrictions between the two countries — a move set to facilitate the movement of citizens and promote closer

Putin lauds UAE’s role in prisoner swaps 

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Vladimir Putin reaffirm growing partnership amid UAE’s humanitarian role in Ukraine conflict  In a strong display of strategic diplomacy and humanitarian leadership, President His

ATM 2025 sets new standard 

The global event drew over 55,000 travel and tourism professionals from 166 countries, marking a 16% year-on-year increase in attendance and cementing Dubai’s role as a key hub for shaping the future
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Cityscape Qatar opens more than 60 exhibitors across seven countries

The 10th edition of Cityscape Qatar officially opens with more

Iran summons British envoy to protest UK’s interference in its internal affairs

The Iranian diplomat also stressed that “taking decisive actions” to