With the UK travel red list reduced, here is where you can go on holiday this winter
With 47 countries taken off the travel red list at 4am this morning, including Thailand, South Africa and Mexico, it is now possible to travel relatively unhindered between the UK and several long-haul destinations.
Basically, the Government reduced the number of countries it advises British nationals to avoid non-essential travel to, and the red list featuring countries from which arrivals into the UK must stay in a quarantine hotel.
Advice against leisure trips was dropped for 42 countries and territories on Monday, such as Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Indonesia, Mexico, the Seychelles, South Africa and Thailand.
Does that mean I can visit all those locations?
Not quite. Quarantine-free trips from the UK are possible to Mexico, the Seychelles and South Africa, while Cuba is relaxing its regulations from November 15.
But tough rules in Argentina, Chile, Indonesia and Thailand make holidays there unviable for most people.
Why has the UK Government relaxed its travel policies?
Ministers say they want to enable people to “exercise personal responsibility” about where they travel, and are also keen to see the sector recover from the pandemic.
The changes have been broadly welcomed by airlines, airports and tour operators, but they all want testing requirements to be further eased.
What are the rules for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK?
They must take a coronavirus test on or before the second day after their arrival.
This must be a PCR test, but from later this month people arriving in England will be able to use a cheaper and quicker lateral flow test instead.
Are the rules tougher for people who are not fully vaccinated?
Yes. They must take a lateral flow test in the three days before travelling to the UK.
After they arrive, they must self-isolate for 10 days and take coronavirus tests on days two and eight.
How many countries remain on the red list?
Just seven. They are Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
It is not clear when that could be amended. The red list is updated every three weeks, so the next change is expected to be announced on around October 28.