By Mark Frary / 16 March 2021 / Contact Reporter
Ethiopia, Oman, Somalia and Qatar have been added to England’s red list of countries “to protect the country against new variants of coronavirus, at a critical time for the vaccine programme”.
The change comes into effect at 4am on 19 March which means that most people who have departed from or transited through these countries in the previous ten days will be refused entry into England. Only British and Irish citizens, or those with residence rights (including long-term visa holders), will be allowed to enter but must go into hotel quarantine for ten days.
At the same time, Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) and Mauritius will be removed from the list. The flight ban from Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) is also being removed, following evidence that shows the risk of importing a variant of concern from these destinations has reduced.
Arrivals from these destinations will no longer be required to quarantine in a government approved facility but must self-isolate at home and take Covid tests on days two and eight after arrival. However, they can end self-isolation early through the Test to Release scheme.
United Kingdom adds Oman to ‘travel ban’ list Oman Observer06:00
Travel from Oman, Qatar to England suspended Trade Arabia05:14
Qatar leads new additions to England red list Breaking Travel News04:54
Government announces Qatar and Ethiopia travel ban Travel Trade Gazette04:27