TRAVEL SHAKE-UP
TRAFFIC LIGHT HOLIDAY RULES SIMPLIFIED... AS BOOSTER JAB ROLLOUT TAKES OFF
TRAVEL to Turkey is on the cards for the half-term holidays next month as the government simplified the traffic light system for international trips.
Dozens of countries are to be removed from the red list and ministers are also expected to scrap the amber classification, dividing countries into either green or red destinations.
Currently, the red list bans international travel to 62 countries. It is expected to be more than halved.
Changes are also expected to testing rules so fully vaccinated arrivals will no longer need to take a pre-departure lateral flow test or a post-arrival PCR test.
The latter is set to be changed to a lateral flow test, according to The
Times, saving travellers around £100 per trip.
Currently, those who have not had both vaccine doses must take a PCR test and are not required to self-isolate on arrival from a green list destination.
But they could be required to quarantine at home for ten days and take two PCR tests when arriving even from a low-risk location under a new system, in a move aimed at encouraging further take-up of the jab.
Meanwhile, an NHS worker has spoken of her joy at being one of the first to receive a Covid-19 booster vaccine.
Catherine Cargill, a maternity assistant, had her third jab at Croydon University Hospital, south London, as the new rollout officially began yesterday.
Millions of over-50s, clinically vulnerable people and health workers will be invited to receive a top-up injection due to concerns the effectiveness of the jabs may decline over time.
Ms Cargill said: ‘(I’ve had) my Pfizer vaccine ahead of the winter season to make sure I am protected, to make sure I can carry on working, I can carry on spending time with my family and so I can carry on with my studies.’
The UK reported another 158 deaths and 26,911 cases yesterday, although the stats did not include figures from Scotland due to a ‘technical issue’.