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The British government has lifted its advice against unnecessary travel to 32 countries and territories, reports PA.
Bangladesh, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana and Malaysia are among the places where travel advice based on the risk of coronavirus has been relaxed, said the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Agency (FCDO).
Britain will stop urging the British to avoid all but significant travel to countries that are not red-listed due to Covid-19 except in “exceptional circumstances”, such as if local healthcare is overwhelmed, the FCDO added. This will make it easier for people who visit these places to get travel insurance.
Prior to Wednesday’s changes, the FCDO advised against unnecessary travel due to the virus to 117 countries and territories. Advice is expected to be raised for more places in the coming days.
The FCDO said that the change in policy follows “improved public health in many countries” and “reduced risk to British citizens” as a result of the vaccine expansion. This comes amid a easing of government rules for travelers traveling into the UK, with the traffic light system scrapped on Monday.
Fully vaccinated residents — and unvaccinated under the age of 18 — from more than 50 countries and territories can now arrive without taking a flow test before departure, a day-eight PCR test on arrival or self-isolating.
The Secretary of State Liz Truss sa:
These rule adjustments will make travel easier, support businesses and families across the UK – and allow more of us to meet friends and loved ones with greater peace of mind.
We find the right balance between keeping people safe, which is still our priority, and giving them the freedom to exercise personal responsibility, while supporting the travel sector as it continues to recover.
The complete list of countries for which the FCDO has facilitated its travel advice is: Algeria; Armenia; Bangladesh; Belarus; Benin; Comoros; Tokelau and Niue; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Fiji; Gambia; Guinea; Kazakhstan; Kiribati; Kosovo; Liberia; Madagascar; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Micronesia; Nauru; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Solomon Islands; Togo; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Congo; American Samoa; French Polynesia; and Ghana.
The FCDO will continue to advise against all but significant travel for all Red List countries where the risk to British citizens is considered “unacceptably high”.
At the same time, the government is expected to announce on Thursday that it will decrease England red list. There are currently 54 countries on the list, such as Mexico, Cuba, all of South America on the mainland and southern and eastern Africa.
Anyone arriving in the UK from a place in the red level must spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel. This costs £ 2,285 for solo travelers, making such trips unaffordable for many people.
The handed over administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own travel rules but have recently reflected announcements made in Westminster.