Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LET THERE BE FLIGHT
54 countries to exit red list
DOZENS of countries could be opened up for quarantine-free travel within days.
Some 54 nations are expected to be removed from the Government’s red list with South Africa, Brazil and Mexico thought to be among them.
The move would bolster the travel and aviation industries, which have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
Fully-vaccinated passengers would no longer have to pay £2,285 to quarantine in a Government-approved hotel for 11 nights on their return.
The Government is set to unveil the changes on Thursday.
A major shake-up of travel rules previously announced came into force at 4am today. Under the changes, the traffic light system has been axed, leaving just a red list.
Fully-vaccinated passengers arriving from non-red list countries do not need to take a pre-departure test before boarding flights, take a day eight test or quarantine at home.
They still have to book and pay for a test to be taken within two days of arriving in England, and complete a passenger locator form. Travellers not double-jabbed must take a predeparture test, book and pay for day two and eight tests, and quarantine at home for 10 days. Travellers from red list countries must quarantine.
Experts have demanded the end to expensive day two PCR tests.
While ministers have committed to scrapping them by the end of October, air bosses want it to happen in time for half-term. Airlines UK chief Tim Alderslade said: “Things are moving in the right direction.”
There were two further Covid related deaths yesterday in Northern Ireland. The Department of Helath also said there were 892 new positive cases of the virus recorded.