Those returning to the UK from France have faced extra restrictions since 19 July, when France was excluded from the normal amber list rules and turned ‘amber plus’. It’s meant all travellers returning from France have had to self-isolate for 10 days and take an additional ‘day 8’ Covid test, regardless of vaccination status.
But the UK, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh governments have confirmed that these extra restrictions are to be lifted for fully vaccinated travellers from 4am on Sunday 8 August. Those who haven’t been fully vaccinated will still have to self-isolate.
Other changes announced to the traffic light system, all also effective from Sunday 8 August, include:
- Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway will be added to the green list.
- India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will be moved from the red to the amber list.
- Georgia, Mexico, La Reunion and Mayotte will go on the red list.
Of course, when it comes to international travel at the moment, traffic lights are only half the story, as they only determine the rules for your return. The other big question is whether the country you’re going to will let you in. For example, France currently only lets in holidaymakers who are double-vaccinated (or under-18s travelling with them). For more help, see our list of the big holiday destinations’ entry requirements.
