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Coronavirus: What are the UK's travel rules and which countries can you visit? Coronavirus: What are the UK's travel rules and which countries can you visit?
(1 day later)
A holiday in Spain now means two weeks of quarantine for those arriving back in the UK.A holiday in Spain now means two weeks of quarantine for those arriving back in the UK.
But which other countries can you visit and what do you need to do when you return?But which other countries can you visit and what do you need to do when you return?
Where can I go without quarantining when I get back?Where can I go without quarantining when I get back?
Passengers entering the UK from dozens of countries no longer have to quarantine.Passengers entering the UK from dozens of countries no longer have to quarantine.
More than 50 countries - including many popular holiday spots - now pose ''a reduced risk'' from coronavirus, the government says.More than 50 countries - including many popular holiday spots - now pose ''a reduced risk'' from coronavirus, the government says.
The list focuses on countries in Europe, island nations around the world including the Caribbean, and countries further east - including Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.The list focuses on countries in Europe, island nations around the world including the Caribbean, and countries further east - including Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.
Arrivals are exempt from quarantine if they arrive in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from:Arrivals are exempt from quarantine if they arrive in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from:
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Réunion, San Marino, Seychelles, South Korea, St Barthélemy, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Pierre and Miquelon, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Vatican City, Vietnam.Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Réunion, San Marino, Seychelles, South Korea, St Barthélemy, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Pierre and Miquelon, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Vatican City, Vietnam.
From 28 July 2020 passengers arriving from Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia and St Vincent and the Grenadine will not need to self-isolate.From 28 July 2020 passengers arriving from Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia and St Vincent and the Grenadine will not need to self-isolate.
The 14 British Overseas Territories are also exempt.The 14 British Overseas Territories are also exempt.
The government has been advising against all but essential travel since March, but this advice has been lifted for destinations that ''no longer pose an unacceptably high risk'' for British travellers.The government has been advising against all but essential travel since March, but this advice has been lifted for destinations that ''no longer pose an unacceptably high risk'' for British travellers.
Health measures like quarantine are set by each UK nation separately.Health measures like quarantine are set by each UK nation separately.
Wales and Northern Ireland have introduced quarantine exemptions for the same countries as England. Scotland is also allowing exemptions, and has updated its own list of countries with which it is now allowing travel without quarantine.Wales and Northern Ireland have introduced quarantine exemptions for the same countries as England. Scotland is also allowing exemptions, and has updated its own list of countries with which it is now allowing travel without quarantine.
What are the rules for Spain and could other countries be affected?What are the rules for Spain and could other countries be affected?
Spain was removed from the list of exempt countries following "a significant change over the last week in both the level and pace" of coronavirus cases, the government said.Spain was removed from the list of exempt countries following "a significant change over the last week in both the level and pace" of coronavirus cases, the government said.
People already in Spain can stay for the remainder of their holiday. However, from midnight on Saturday, they will have to self-isolate for two weeks upon their return.People already in Spain can stay for the remainder of their holiday. However, from midnight on Saturday, they will have to self-isolate for two weeks upon their return.
The rules apply to travellers arriving from anywhere in Spain - including the Canary and Balearic Islands.The rules apply to travellers arriving from anywhere in Spain - including the Canary and Balearic Islands.
Travellers arriving into England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all affected by the new guidelines.Travellers arriving into England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all affected by the new guidelines.
Announcing the move, the government warned other countries could lose their exemption from quarantine, if the coronavirus situation changed. In Spain, the covid-19 infection rate is currently 39.4 cases per 100,000, according to the European Union's European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. This compares with the UK's rate of 14.6.
Spain is now comparable with Sweden and Portugal, but rates there are falling while Spain's is on the rise. In Greece, another popular destination for UK tourists, the rate is currently 3.7 per 100,000 people.
The UK government has warned other countries could also lose their exemption from quarantine.
"We've always been clear that we would act immediately to remove a country where necessary," it said."We've always been clear that we would act immediately to remove a country where necessary," it said.
Which other countries are not on the list?Which other countries are not on the list?
You will still have to isolate for 14 days if you arrive back in the UK from Canada, the US and much of Central or South America.You will still have to isolate for 14 days if you arrive back in the UK from Canada, the US and much of Central or South America.
Countries in Africa, the Middle East and most of Asia are also excluded.Countries in Africa, the Middle East and most of Asia are also excluded.
Travellers from Sweden, Portugal, Russia and anywhere else not on the list will also have to quarantine.Travellers from Sweden, Portugal, Russia and anywhere else not on the list will also have to quarantine.
The list will be kept under review, and the government says it ''will not hesitate'' to remove a country from the list if conditions worsen there. For instance Serbia, which has seen a dramatic rise in coronavirus cases, was removed from the list on 11 July.The list will be kept under review, and the government says it ''will not hesitate'' to remove a country from the list if conditions worsen there. For instance Serbia, which has seen a dramatic rise in coronavirus cases, was removed from the list on 11 July.
Equally, further restrictions may be placed on UK travellers if its infection rate rises.Equally, further restrictions may be placed on UK travellers if its infection rate rises.
What about restrictions at my destination?What about restrictions at my destination?
Travellers leaving the UK could still face restrictions - including quarantine - when they arrive in one of the exempted countries.Travellers leaving the UK could still face restrictions - including quarantine - when they arrive in one of the exempted countries.
About half the countries and territories on the list have restrictions for arriving UK visitors. These include:About half the countries and territories on the list have restrictions for arriving UK visitors. These include:
But these restrictions may change.But these restrictions may change.
What information do we collect from this quiz? Privacy notice.
What happened to air bridges and the traffic light system?
Ministers had indicated the government was considering a series of ''air bridge'' agreements for quarantine-free travel between the UK and low-risk countries. These were also referred to as ''travel corridors'' when including international journeys made via land and sea.
However, the government appears to have moved away from these partnerships.
A mooted "traffic light" system, to grade countries as green, amber and red depending on their level of risk, has also not materialised.