UK announces Turkey will be moved off the red list

The government has announced that from 4am on 22 September, eight destinations will be removed from the red list including Turkey.

From 4 October, the current traffic light system of red, amber and green countries will be scrapped and replaced with one red list only.

Also from that date, travellers will no longer need to take pre-departure tests for travelling into England from abroad.

fully vaccinated passengers from non-red list countries will be able to replace day-two PCR tests with cheaper lateral flow tests.

Those unvaccinated will still have to pay for PCR tests.

The eight destinations are:

• Turkey

• Pakistan

• The Maldives

• Egypt

• Sri Lanka

• Oman

• Bangladesh

• Kenya

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s changes mean a simpler, more straightforward system. One with less testing and lower costs, allowing more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business around the world while providing a boost for the travel industry.

“Public health has always been at the heart of our international travel policy and with over 44 million people fully vaccinated in the UK, we are now able to introduce a proportionate updated structure that reflects the new landscape.”