The Government has announced that the current traffic light system will be replaced by a single ‘red list’ of countries and territories from Monday 4 October.
Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a pre-departure test from this date, and from around the end of October fully vaccinated passengers and those with an approved vaccine from a select group of countries will be able to replace their day 2 return PCR test with a cheaper rapid lateral flow test, reducing the cost of arriving in England.
Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no additional cost. However, unvaccinated passengers will continue to have to complete a pre-departure test and day 2 and day 8 return PCR tests.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "These planned changes are an added incentive for people who are looking to travel abroad to make sure they have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
"We know with confidence that the vaccines are safe and effective. The latest Public Health England figures suggest they have saved over 112,300 lives in England so far, as well as stopping more than 143,600 people from becoming seriously ill and needing hospital treatment.
“Over 154,000 people in Wolverhampton have received first and second doses of their vaccine meaning that, if they want or need to travel internationally, they will soon be able to do away with the need to have a pre-departure test and expensive PCR tests on their return.
“If you've not had your vaccine, or you have had your first and are now due your second dose, I would urge you to pop along to one of the many walk in vaccination clinics operating across the city."
Full details of walk in vaccination clinics in Wolverhampton can be found at COVID-19 vaccination.
For details of the proposed changes to international travel, please visit GOV.UK . Passengers should continue to check GOV.UK for the latest travel guidance before, during and after travel to keep up to date with entry requirements and ensure compliance with the latest Covid-19 regulations for the country being visited.
