The U.K.’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today lifted the ban on non-essential foreign travel starting 17th May 2021. Non essential travel from the U.K. is currently prohibited and these loosenings of restrictions will be celebrated amongst the hospitality industry and consumers alike.Last summer the U.K. implemented a sort of Traffic Light system before these were all suspended on 18th January 2021.
During the Downing Street daily briefing of 7th May, Secretary Shapps painted a cautiously optimistic image, speaking of the long-awaited family reunions that many have yearned for., consisting of Red, Amber and Green countries, Shapps announced the 12 Green list countries which do not require quarantine on arrival in the U.K. would include Iceland, Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel.
Amber list arrivals will need to undergo effectively the same system as now — mandatory 10 day quarantine on arrival with PCR tests on the second and eighth day, with a voluntary fifth day test if you wish to end your quarantine early. Red list countries travel is for essential purposes only.