UK adds new nations to green, red lists in travel shake up

LONDON

The UK on Monday updated its COVID-19 travel lists, adding new destinations to the green and red lists in its traffic light system.

The Department of Transport added to the low-risk green list seven countries that will no longer be required to go into hotel quarantine upon arrival for 10 days and pay a charge of nearly 2,000 British pounds ($2,752).

Only two countries, however, were added to the high-risk red list, while no changes were made to the amber list countries, travelers from where would have to self-isolate at home for 10 days.

"From 4am on Monday 30 August 2021, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Switzerland, and the Azores will be added to the green list, as the risk that travel from these countries poses to public health in the UK is low," the department said in a statement.

"Thailand and Montenegro will be added to the red list from 4am on Monday 30 August 2021, reflecting the increased case rates in these countries and the higher risk that travel from these countries poses to UK public health," it added. Turkey, meanwhile, remained on the red list.

Changes to the travel lists are decided on a number of factors such as the rates of infections in each nation, the development of certain variants including Delta, and the rate of vaccination.

On Monday, 26,476 people tested COVID-19 positive in the UK, with weekly cases rising by 1.8%.

The UK also reported 48 coronavirus-related deaths on Monday with the total between Aug. 24-30 increasing by 14.8% compared to the previous week.

The number of vaccinations continues to increase in the country as young adults are now viable for the jab, with over 48 million people administered their first dose of the vaccine and more than 42 million having received their second, according to the latest official data.