UK relaxes travel restrictions, moves India from ‘red’ to ‘amber’ list

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The UK has relaxed travel restrictions on the fully vaccinated Indians travelling to the country. This means that the Indian passengers will no longer have to go for the mandatory 14-day institutional quarantine as it has moved India to its ‘amber list’ from the red list.

According to Britain’s traffic light system for international travel, traveling from amber list countries means a 10-day quarantine at home. This will be with effect from 4 am local time on August 8, 2021.

“UAE, Qatar, India, and Bahrain will be moved from the red list to the amber list. All changes come into effect Sunday, August 8, at 4 am,” UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted.

UAE, Qatar, India and Bahrain will be moved from the Red List 🔴 to the Amber List 🟠

All changes come into effect Sun 8th August at 4am.

See the full list of changes made today here 👇 [2/3]https://t.co/iYAJhsdm3y

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) August 4, 2021

The Indian diaspora had been demanding the relaxation of travel norms between India and Britain.

Amber list: What does it mean for travellers?

The countries on the amber list will have to follow the legal rules. The travellers will have to take a Covid-19 test three days before departure. They also have to do the advance booking of two Covid-19 tests to be taken upon arrival in England as well as complete a passenger locator form on arrival.

After their arrival in the UK, the passengers have to follow a mandatory quarantine at home or a pre-confirmed location for 10 days. They have to take a Covid-19 test on or before the second day after their arrival. Another test has to be taken on or after the eighth day.

Who is exempted?

Under-18 and those fully vaccinated in the UK are exempt from the home quarantine.

Those who have received two doses of Covid vaccine in the EU and US.

Those fully vaccinated under a vaccination programme approved by the UK and part of a UK-approved vaccine trial.

The India-manufactured Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine- Covishield, is likely to be covered under this exemption.

Along with this update, Britain has also made the announcement that the cost for solo travellers from destinations still on the red list staying at a quarantined hotel will go up from August 12, from 1,750 pounds to 2,285 pounds.

The charge for an additional adult sharing a room will increase from 650 pounds to 1,430 pounds.