Amber List Travel Rules

As of October 2021, the Traffic Light System has been replaced. Only the Red List remains and has been drastically altered. Check the latest travel regulations as this blog may no longer be applicable

The Government has started listing international travel destinations as either Green, Amber or Red to more easily categorise destinations and their testng requirements. Each list has it’s own set of requirements that arrivals to the UK from those countries must adhere to. Here we take a look at the requirements for Amber List countries.

What is the Amber List?

The Amber List is a list of countries that are currently not advised for recreational and holiday travel. The lists is subject to a formal review at least every 3 weeks. As such, countries may be added or removed according to the latest COVID-19 data. Check the countries currently on the Amber List before making travel plans. Arrivals from Amber List countries must adhere to strict rules around quarantine and post-travel testing.

What are the UK entry requirements for arrivals from Amber List countries?

Before you travel to England from an Amber List destination, you need to meet certain testing requirements that depend on your vaccination status.

Rules for arriving from Amber List countries if you’re fully vaccinated

You must take a COVID test locally in Portugal before departure, you must order & pay for a Day 2 post-travel test, and you must complete a passenger locator form. Fully vaccinated passengers returning from Portugal are not required to quarantine post-travel.

‘Fully vaccinated’ means you must have had a final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 whole days before you arrive in England. The day you have your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days.

Rules for arriving from Amber List countries if you’re not fully vaccinated

You must take a COVID test locally at your destination before departure, you must order & pay for a Day 2 & Day 8 post-travel testing, and you must complete a passenger locator form. Passengers arriving from Amber List countries that are not fully vaccinated are required to quarantine post-travel for 10 days. You must complete a Day 2 & Day 8 Testing on the second day and eigths days after your arrival. Order your Day 2 & Day 8 tests with Nomad and we’ll send simple self-test kits that you can do at home and send to our lab with the included return priority postage and COVID Priority post boxes.

Do I need to quarantine on arrival from Amber List countries?

Arrivals from Amber List countries must self-isolate only if they are not fully vaccinated. If you’re not fully vaccinated when you arrive from an Amber list country, you must quaratine for 10 days at a location provided to the UK Governement on your passenger locator form. If you are fully vaccinated when you arrive from an Amber List country, your are not required to quarantine.

Are NHS Covid Tests Accepted for Travel?

Passengers must not use NHS COVID-19 testing services for the purpose of travel and must use approved private providers like Nomad.

Where can I get COVID-19 tests for travel to/from Amber List countries?

Passengers must arrange the required testing with approved private providers like Nomad for the purpose of travel. Our range of COVID-19 tests cover the current and ever changing requirements for international travel.

If you are travelling to/from an Amber List country, Nomad provides Day 2 & Day 8 testing. Check out our range of COVID-19 tests for travel or contact us if you need guidance on which tests are required for your upcoming trip to a Amber List destination.