Where can I travel to now? Your travel questions answered

This page was last updated on Monday 19th July, 2021 and will be kept up to date as and when the government makes further announcements about international travel in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given that the current situation is subject to change, often at short notice, it is important to keep up to date with all of the latest travel information on the UK government website.

What are the current rules for international travel?

How does the government’s travel traffic light system work?

Can I book my quarantine hotel and testing package at Manchester Airport?

Can I book my PCR testing package at Manchester Airport?

Which countries are on the green list?

Which countries are on the red list?

Can I book my summer holiday now? What if the government’s plans for international travel change?

What if I travel to a ‘green’ country and it’s moved to the amber list while I’m there?

Will I need to self-isolate when I arrive at my destination?

What health checks or forms will I need to complete?

What should I do if I believe I may have COVID-19 symptoms?

What if I am returning to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

When will the government be announcing its next travel updates?

What are the current rules for international travel?

As of Monday 17 May, non-essential international travel is permitted again.

However, the government has stressed that it will continue to focus on testing and quarantine as measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and any variants.

To maintain this focus, the government has launched a traffic light system for travel abroad.

How does the government’s travel traffic light system work?

To help passengers understand what will be involved in travelling to a particular destination, and the level of risk involved, the UK government has launched a new ‘traffic light system’ under which countries will be classed as red, amber or green.

Here are the steps involved in travelling to the countries in each category and the rules for testing and quarantine:

Green – for those countries posing a minimal risk

Arrivals to England must:

• Fill in a passenger locator form

• Take a pre-departure test

• Book a test package from a government-approved provider before travel

• Take a PCR test on or before day 2 of arrival

• If the test is negative, passengers don’t need to quarantine or take any further tests

Amber – for those countries posing a moderate risk

Arrivals to England must:

• Fill in a passenger locator form

• Take a pre-departure test

• Book a test package from a government-approved provider before travel

• Quarantine at home for 10 days (As of Monday 19 July those that have been double-jabbed* or are under the age of 18, will not have to self-isolate)

• Take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of their return** (As of Monday 19 July those that have been double-jabbed* or are under the age of 18, will only need to have a test on day 2. Children ages four and under will be exempt from testing)

*14 days must have passed between since final dose of the vaccine

**those arriving from amber list countries can use test to release on day 5 to end self-isolation early

Red – for those countries posing a high risk

Arrivals to England must:

• Fill in a passenger locator form (including details of quarantine package)

• Take a pre-departure test and get a negative result in the three days before travel

• Book a quarantine package – including a managed quarantine hotel, quarantine transport and the travel test package – from a government-approved provider before travel

• Quarantine for 10 days in a managed quarantine hotel

• Take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of your return (with no option for early release)

Can I book my quarantine hotel and testing package at Manchester Airport?

Manchester Airport is not currently on the government-approved list of ports of entry from red list countries.

Can I book my PCR testing package at Manchester Airport?

Yes! Manchester Airport has onsite testing facilities for those returning from green and amber countries. We offer the PCR tests required on day 2 for arrivals from green countries and days 2 and 8 for arrivals from amber countries. We also provide the test to release tests which, if negative, will allow arrivals from amber countries to leave self-isolation early, on day 5.

Find out more about Manchester Airport’s arrivals testing facilities

Which countries are on the green list?

On Friday May 7, the UK government announced the initial countries to be added to the green list. This list will be reviewed every three weeks. On 14th July 2021, the UK government added the Bulgaria, Croatia, Hong Kong and Taiwan to the green list.

This list was last updated on Thursday 15th July, 2021.

• Anguilla

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Australia

• Balearic islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca) (until 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Barbados

• Bermuda

• British Antarctic Territory

• British Indian Ocean Territory

• British Virgin Islands (until 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Brunei

• Bulgaria (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Cayman Islands

• Croatia (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Dominica

• Falkland Islands

• Faroe Islands

• Gibraltar

• Grenada

• Hong Kong (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Iceland

• Israel and Jerusalem

• Madeira

• Malta

• Montserrat

• New Zealand

• Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands

• Singapore

• South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

• St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

• Taiwan (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Turks and Caicos Islands

Which countries are on the red list?

The UK government is operating a ‘red list’ of travel ban countries.

This list was last updated on Thursday 15th July, 2021.

• Afghanistan

• Angola

• Argentina

• Bahrain

• Bangladesh

• Bolivia

• Botswana

• Brazil

• Burundi

• Cape Verde

• Chile

• Colombia

• Congo (Democratic Republic)

• Costa Rica

• Cuba (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Dominican Republic

• Ecuador

• Egypt

• Eritrea

• Eswatini

• Ethiopia

• French Guiana

• Guyana

• Haiti

• India

• Indonesia (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Kenya

• Lesotho

• Malawi

• Maldives

• Mongolia

• Mozambique

• Myanmar (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Namibia

• Nepal

• Oman

• Pakistan

• Panama

• Paraguay

• Peru

• Philippines

• Qatar

• Rwanda

• Seychelles

• Sierra Leone (from 4.00 am on Monday 19 July)

• Somalia

• South Africa

• Sri Lanka

• Sudan

• Suriname

• Tanzania

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Tunisia

• Turkey

• Uganda

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Uruguay

• Venezuela

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

Can I book my summer holiday now? What if the government’s plans for international travel change?

At Manchester Airport we know that the current situation means travel plans could be subject to change at short notice. That’s why we’re offering free cancellation on all parking bookings.

Many holiday providers are doing the same, offering speedy refunds, COVID-19 insurance, and other measures for your peace of mind.

When booking your travel for 2021, make sure that your chosen provider offers good cancellation or amendment terms.

What if I travel to a ‘green’ country and it is moved to the amber list while I’m there?

The government has announced that, as part of its traffic light system, it will be introducing a ‘green watchlist’ of those countries that are classed as green but are at risk of changing to amber or red.  This is to prevent passengers from having to rearrange their plans for returning to the UK mid-holiday. It will be worth monitoring this list before you depart.

Will I need to self-isolate when I arrive at my destination?

The government suspended all travel corridors in January 2021, and the green list operates slightly differently: just because a country is on the green list, doesn't mean it is currently open to tourists. It is your responsibility to check the entry requirements of your chosen destination before you book travel. For the latest information, see the UK government's travel advice page.

What health checks or forms will I need to complete?

Before your arrival back into the UK, you will need to complete a passenger locator form. This can be completed 48 hours before your arrival back in the UK. You will need to show a copy of your form when you arrive at the UK border, either by printing it or showing it on a device. This information will be used by the government to contact you if someone you travelled with develops COVID-19 symptoms.

What should I do if I believe I may have COVID-19 symptoms?

If you believe you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not travel. If you develop symptoms while travelling, please inform airport or cabin staff.

What if I am returning to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

These rules only apply to arrivals in England. Information for travel into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be published by the Devolved Administrations.

When will the government be announcing its next travel updates?

The government has said that it plans to review international travel on June 28, July 31 and October 1, 2021.