Travel Traffic Light System

Traffic Light Breakdown 

When the travel traffic light system was first introduced in May 2021, countries were placed in one of three categories: Green, Amber and Red, with the rating of the country will determining your test to travel procedure.

However, since October 2021, with the advancements of the coronavirus vaccine and the opening of the world’s borders, the current government guidelines and the travel traffic light system have since been updated to categorise countries in one of two ways: red and non-red countries. 

Travelling To A Non-Red List Country

The rules vary when travelling to a non-red list country, depending on the country that you are intending to visit. For this reason, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations by visiting the correlating country’s government website. 
Rules and regulations are regularly updated, so make sure to make it a priority to regularly check these resources when you’ve got an upcoming trip!

Travelling To A Red List Country

When it comes to the current travel traffic light system, if you’re wanting to visit a red list country, the following rules apply:

• You must take a private COVID-19 PCR for travel test in the 72 hours before you depart.
• You must book your Day 2 COVID-19 PCR for travel test to take upon return to the UK, prior to your departure, and provide proof of this.
• You must complete a passenger locator form to ensure you can be contacted after you return to the UK from your trip.

If you do not comply with these practices, you may face a penalty of up to £10,000 enforced by the law. 
the possible presence of the virus and determine whether or not they are safe for travel.

Can I Travel If I Am Unvaccinated?

If you’re unvaccinated, regardless of whether a country on the travel traffic light system is red or non-red, the rules are slightly different. It’s important to check the individual rules for the country that you are visiting, but those that are not vaccinated will have to test to return to the UK, and this includes a pre-departure test, a day-two test and a day-eight test. 

PCR Testing: What is a PCR test?

A PCR test, or a polymerase chain reaction test, is used to rapidly detect whether you are currently infected with COVID-19. This is a quick process that involves the traveller to run a fabric tip around their throat in order to identify any potential presence of the virus. 

Government Approved PCR Test Vendors

If you’re planning on travelling to a red list country, or you are unvaccinated and wish to travel internationally, with the release of these rules and regulations, hundreds of providers of PCR tests have emerged at varying price points. It’s important to ensure when booking your PCR testing that you are doing so with a registered provider. Find a test vendor near you on the government website.

How Do I Prove My PCR Test Result?

• An official, printed document such as an email.
• An email or text message result that you can show on-demand, on your phone or tablet.

Travel Inspiration

If you're struggling to decide where to book your 2022/2023 holidays, look no further. We have handpicked some of our favourite destinations so that you can travel with confidence. For the latest travel news, stay up to date with our latest travel-inspiring blog posts. 

Booking With Confidence

Here at Value Added Travel, we want to assure you that you can travel with confidence. We offer the following services to ensure you feel at peace when making your booking:

• Amend Your Holiday Up To 3 Weeks Before - Free of Charge
• Postpone Your Trip
• Move Deposit To A Different Booking
• ATOL Protection
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