Ask the experts: Will the UK’s red list remain as the travel system is overhauled?
The IndependentSign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As prospective travellers and the travel industry wait to learn about the latest changes to the government’s “traffic light” system of restrictions, attention is focused on the most complex “red list”. But the case for Brazil and much of South America remaining on red is getting weaker every day.” A third analyst, Ben McCluskey, said: “With 62 countries currently on the UK’s red list, there are numerous candidates suitable for removal, including South Africa, Turkey and Pakistan, all of which in the last 30 days have conducted a level of genomic sequencing comparable to countries currently on the UK’s amber list. “Like Ireland, the UK may keep many South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru on the ‘red’ list given increased prevalence of ‘variants of concern’ like Lambda, Gamma and Mu. If the UK government wants to retain the integrity of its traffic light system, it must reward countries which empirically demonstrate they are safe by granting them amber status.” David Frost, chief executive of SATSA – representing the Southern African inbound tourism industry – said: “Every week the UK keeps South Africa on its red list it erodes the vital economic and environmental ties between our two countries.
History of this topic
UK to scrap red list as ministers admit omicron spread renders travel restrictions pointless
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‘Keeping us all safe’: the chaotic history of the UK red list
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Travel UK update: Which countries are on the red list?
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Travel update live: Latest updates as no countries added to UK red list
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Will any countries go on the red list?
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Travel expert Simon Calder answers 22 questions about your next holiday
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Emirates’ UK boss ‘frustrated’ that UAE is still on red travel list
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Heathrow ‘red list’ terminal opens – but will only catch some arrivals
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What the latest changes to the red list mean for travellers
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