From 17 May, the ‘Stay in the UK’ regulation will cease, and international travel will be allowed to restart, governed by a new traffic light system.

The traffic light system

As the virus is still spreading in many parts of the world, the government advises people should not be travelling to amber or red countries.

The green list comprises of the following 12 countries and territories when international travel resumes on 17 May:

  • Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira)
  • Israel and Jerusalem
  • Gibraltar
  • Iceland
  • Singapore
  • Australia
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • New Zealand
  • Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Countries on the green list pose the lowest risk, therefore passengers who have only visited or transited through a green list country will not be required to quarantine on arrival in England. They will be required to fill in the passenger locator form, provide a valid notification of a negative test result prior to travel and take a sequencing test on day 2 after arrival.

See: Traffic light system: safe return to international travel – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)