UK To Scrap Three List System From Oct 4 To Only One, India Will Be No Longer In Red-List

From October 4, travellers head to the UK will also no longer need to take pre-departure PCR tests.

Passengers will no longer have to be bear the burden of quarantine and PCR tests. Representational Image

New Delhi: The UK government on Friday announced that from October 4, 2021, the current system of red, amber and green countries based on levels of Covid-19 risk will be scrapped and replaced with one red list only.

India is currently on the amber list, scrapping it off means the cost burden for travelers due to compulsory quarantines and PCR tests will be reduced. 

From October 4, travellers head to the UK will also no longer need to take pre-departure PCR tests.

“Today’s changes mean a simpler, more straightforward system. One with less testing and lower costs, allowing more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business around the world while providing a boost for the travel industry, said UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps according to Reuters.

“Public health has always been at the heart of our international travel policy and with over 44 million people fully vaccinated in the UK, we are now able to introduce a proportionate updated structure that reflects the new landscape," he said.

From the end of October, fully vaccinated passengers from non-red list countries will be able to replace the current compulsory day-two PCR test requirement with a cheaper lateral flow test. If anyone tests positive they will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test, which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants Reuters reported.