UK eases coronavirus travel rules for countries including India and Thailand
- Tough quarantine requirements for 47 destinations will be scrapped on Monday, and restrictions for arrivals from some countries will be relaxed
- Britain’s tourism industry has essentially lost two full summers after rules imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19 deterred many people from going abroad
Britain will scrap tough Covid-19 quarantine requirements for 47 destinations including South Africa and Thailand on Monday and make it easier for people to arrive from countries including India and Turkey in the latest relaxation of the rules.
Britain’s tourism industry has essentially lost two full summers after travel restrictions imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19 deterred many people from going abroad.
Many countries with high infection levels were put on a red list, requiring arrivals to spend 10 days in a government provided quarantine hotel, while the need for a PCR test and other tests often cost more than the flight itself.
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Once-bustling Bangkok market deserted as Thailand struggles with its worst wave of Covid-19
Airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet have said that the approach and the frequently changing restrictions have delayed any recovery in the sector, leaving the British industry lagging its European peers.
On Thursday, transport minister Grant Shapps said he would remove 47 destinations from the red list.
Seven countries will remain, including Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.
He has also eased the rules for countries such as India, Turkey and Ghana, meaning that the inoculation status of arrivals will be recognised and fully vaccinated arrivals will only need to take a test on day 2 to check for Covid-19.