The United Kingdom has disclosed that travelers from countries on its green list will be exempted from quarantine and from certain testing requirements, provided they can prove their vaccination status and other requirements are met, including having booked a day two test, with effect from October 4, 2021.
It explained that from 4am on Monday October 4, the rules for international travel to England will change from the red, amber, green traffic light system to a single red list of countries and simplified travel measures for arrivals from the rest of the world.
According to a statement from the British High Commission on Sunday, all travellers who have been in a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days prior to travelling, will only be allowed to enter the UK if they are a British or Irish national or if they have residence rights in the UK. On arrival, they must quarantine in a managed hotel, and take two COVID-19 tests.
The statement said, “From 4 October, all travellers to England from the majority of countries that are currently on the amber list, including Nigeria, must: take a pre-departure COVID-19 test – to be taken in the three days before travel; book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival and complete a passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before arrival.
“After they arrive, travellers must quarantine/self-isolate at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days; take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8.”
It noted that travellers may be able to end quarantine/self-isolation early if they pay for a private COVID-19 test through the Test to Release scheme.
The UK government noted, “From 4 October, vaccinated travellers from a small number of countries and territories – the majority of which are currently on the green list – will be exempt from quarantine and from certain testing requirements, provided they can prove their vaccination status and other requirements are met, including having booked a day 2 test.
“This approach will be kept under regular review and further changes are likely as part of a phased opening up of international travel for vaccinated travellers. The UK is committed to opening up international travel and we are using our COVID-19 vaccine certification process to enable all those wishing to enter the UK to do so safely.”
The high commission said it understood that the frustration over the new UK travel rules would continue to require people travelling to the UK from Nigeria to quarantine despite having received two doses of recognised COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria.
“Following a pilot with the United States of America and the European Union, the UK is working to recognise vaccine certificates from other countries as part of a phased review of the many COVID-19 vaccine certificates issued across the world.
“This includes recognising Nigeria’s vaccine certificate and – in the spirit of our long-term partnership – we are working with Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency to ensure that this happens as soon as possible,” the UK authorities stated.
