Although the latest green list was a disappointment for us all, the cautious approach is the right thing in my opinion and we are all still optimistic for more travel to happen in summer 2021 and beyond.
The 17th May marks the next step in reducing restrictions here in the UK and in just a few weeks time we’ll get another announcement from the travel taskforce, when we hope for a much longer green list. I hope this will include many more destinations opening up and less restrictions too – I just wish I had a crystal ball so I could tell you more!
So what Changes for Travel on 17th May
• It is no longer illegal to go on holiday overseas.
• The ‘permission to travel’ form is no longer required.
• FCDO country specific advice is now in place with a blanket ban on all non-essential travel removed.
• The traffic light destination status will be updated every three weeks.
Green Destinations
You can now go on holiday without quarantine if…
• It’s a UK Government specified ‘Green’ destination.
• The FCDO permits leisure travel.
• Your chosen destination accepts UK visitors.
• There is no quarantine required on arrival overseas.
• Pre-departure and PCR testing is provided.
• A passenger locator form is completed.
Amber Destinations
You should be prepared to self-isolate on your return to the UK at home for ten days or take a negative PCR test on the fifth day for earlier release.
Red Destinations
You should be prepared to quarantine on your return to the UK for ten days at a government specified hotel at your own cost and undergo further testing.
Please Note: Holidays to green and amber destinations are permitted from the 17 May 2021, subject to the above criteria being in place.
Should you be hesitant to travel, then our Wildlife Holiday Experts will…
• Review each booking on a case by case basis.
• Delay final balance payment or ticket issue where possible to allow more time for the destination traffic light status to change.
• Offer flexibility where possible to amend your holiday to a new date.
• Provide a fully bonded and financially protected Refund Credit Note
• If we are forced to cancel your booking, we can refund you
Here is the full list of countries on the government’s new traffic light system (from 17 May):
Green list
Australia
Brunei
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
Iceland
Israel and Jerusalem
New Zealand
Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira
Singapore
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Amber list
Afghanistan
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Aruba
Austria
Azerbaijan
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Bosnia and Herzegovina
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic (Czechia)
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
French Polynesia
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece (including islands)
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Myanmar (Burma)
Nauru
Netherlands
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
The Occupied Palestinian Territories
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands
Poland
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain (including the Balearics and Canary Islands)
Sri Lanka
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Martin and St Barthélemy
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United States (USA)
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Red list
Angola
Argentina
Bangladesh
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Burundi
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Ecuador
Eswatini
Ethiopia
French Guiana
Guyana
India
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Maldives (from Wednesday 12 May)
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal (from Wednesday 12 May)
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Rwanda
Seychelles
Somalia
South Africa
Suriname
Tanzania
Turkey (from Wednesday 12 May)
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Uruguay
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe
