UK eases travel curbs on travellers from India

NEW DELHI: The UK has eased Covid-19 travel restrictions on India, and travellers from the country will no longer need to undergo 10-day mandatory hotel quarantine under changes coming into effect from August 8.

The move is expected to benefit thousands of Indians, mainly students, professionals and those who have family in the UK, who had been effectively barred from travelling to Britain after the second wave of infections in India.

As part of a review of its “redamber-green traffic light ratings” for international travellers, the UK on Wednesday moved India, along with Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from the “red” to the “amber” list. A statement from the British High commission said that under the changes coming into effect at 4 am on August 8, “visit visas for the UK from India are open (in addition to other long-term visas that have remained open)”.

Travellers arriving in the UK from India can complete a 10-day quarantine at home or in the place they are staying, and it will no longer be mandatory for them to quarantine in a managed hotel.

Before travelling to the UK, Indian nationals must take a Covid-19 test three days before the date of travel, book and pay for Covid-19 tests to be taken after arrival, and complete a passenger locator form.

Under the UK’S voluntary “Test to Release” scheme, Indian travellers can choose to pay for a private Covid-19 test on the fifth day of quarantine. If the result is negative, they can end their quarantine, the statement said.

The UK announced India, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE had been moved from the red to the amber list as the “situation in these countries has improved”. UK transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “We are committed to opening up international travel safely, taking advantage of the gains we’ve made through our successful vaccination programme, helping connect families, friends and businesses around the world.”