17 September 2021 11:03 pm
As the UK scraps off its Amber list, it will take, Sri Lanka alongside seven other countries, off the red list from Wednesday (22 September).
Being removed off the red list means fully vaccinated travelers returning from those countries, previously listed, would no longer have to take PCR tests nor stay in hotel quarantine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, as reported by BBC, stated that under the new testing regime, people who have had both jabs will not need to take a pre-departure test before leaving any country, not on the red list. He added that later in October, they would be able to replace the day two PCR test with a cheaper, rapid lateral flow test.
Taken off the red list with Sri Lanka are Turkey, Pakistan, the Maldives, Egypt, Oman, Bangladesh, and Kenya.
"The purpose is to make it easier to travel without the bureaucracy, without so many tests, and with a greater level of certainty now that we've got so many people vaccinated,” said Shapps as quoted by BBC.
While the relaxed measure is a step taken towards helping the tourism sector recover, the new rules would remain “at least” until the new year.