The travel corridor list was updated today – in the final change for 2020. Uruguay, Namibia and the US Virgin Islands were all removed from the list. Anyone returning from these destinations to England will have to quarantine for 10 days from Saturday, according to the latest travel advice.
Shapps posted on Twitter: “Latest data means we must remove URUGUAY, NAMIBIA and US VIRGIN ISLANDS from the #TravelCorridor list.
“From 4am Saturday 19th December, if you arrive into the UK from these destinations you will need to self-isolate.”
However, he added that holidaymakers need not fear any more changes in the next couple of weeks.
Only in an emergency will countries be axed.
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This should be welcome news for those with travel plans over the festive period.
“Providing certainty to those travelling over Xmas, we will only make EMERGENCY removals to the #TravelCorridor list if needed for the next two weeks. Next regular update 7th Jan,” said Shapps.
The minister also explained that jet-setters can now pay to quarantine for less than 10 days thanks to the new Test and Release scheme.
If travellers test negative after five days they will no longer have to self-isolate.
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However, these tests cannot be taken on the NHS.
He also added: “Passengers returning to England can now buy a COVID-19 test from an approved private provider and reduce their self-isolation time IF they receive a negative result.”
Today’s travel corridor amendments are unlikely to upset many travellers, with both Uruguay and the USA still banning UK tourists from entry.
The current Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for Uruguay is: “Only Uruguayan nationals and legal residents are allowed to enter Uruguay at present. Exemptions may be granted in special circumstances.”
Namibia’s borders are open but a negative covid test is needed.
The FCDO advice for the African nation is: “Any person entering Namibia must present proof on arrival in Namibia of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the country of departure.
“If the negative result is less than 72 hours old, there is no quarantine requirement. If the negative result is older than 72 hours but less than 7 days, then you will need to quarantine for 7 days – quarantine may be at home or in an approved tourist facility.
As for the US Virgin Islands, the FCDO states: “British nationals cannot enter the USA and its territories if they have been in the UK… within the previous 14 days.”
Last week the Canary Islands were axed from the travel corridor list in a far greater blow to British holidaymakers.
However, the FCDO is not yet warning against non-essential travel to the archipelago.
It was better news for Botswana and Saudi Arabia which were were added to the exempt list at 4am Saturday, December 12.
Travellers to the two countries no longer need to quarantine on their return.