UK Relaxes Travel Restrictions on India, 10-Day Hotel Quarantine Not Compulsory Now

Since February, travellers from a red list country have been required to book a stay in a managed quarantine facility for 10 days.

Travellers arriving in the UK from India can complete a 10-day quarantine at home or in the place they are staying, and it will no longer be mandatory for them to quarantine in a managed hotel.

The United Kingdom has relaxed the travel restrictions on Covid-19 in India. According to the changes that took effect on August 8, travellers from the country will no longer be required to undergo the mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine. The measure is expected to benefit thousands of Indians, mainly students. , Professionals and people with relatives in the UK were effectively banned from travelling to the UK after the second wave of infection in India.

As part of the “red-amber-green traffic signal rating” review of international travellers, the United Kingdom moved India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from “red” to the “amber” list on Wednesday. 

A statement from the British High Commission stated that in accordance with the changes that will take effect at 4 a.m. on August 8th, British visas from India are open (except for other long-term visas) Passengers coming to the UK from India can complete a 10-day quarantine at home or where they live, and they are no longer forced to self-quarantine in managed hotels. 

Before travelling to the UK, Indian citizens must take the Covid-19 test three days before the travel date, book and pay for the Covid-19 test after arrival, and fill out the passenger location form. According to the UK's voluntary test release program, Indian travellers can choose to pay for private Covid-19 testing on the fifth day of quarantine. 

The statement said that if the result is negative, they can end the quarantine. The British government announced that India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have moved from the red list to the yellow list because the situation in these countries has improved.

Data from all countries will be reviewed. When the epidemic situation in a country changes, the government will take action without hesitation," said the British government. The British Transport Secretary Grant Shaps said: "We are committed to safe Open up international travel and use the progress we have made through our successful vaccination program to help connect families, friends and businesses around the world.” 

British Health Minister Sajid Javid added: “As we learn to coexist with this virus, We will continue to take measures to safely reopen international travel based on the latest data and recommendations of public health experts. The change in the ranking of the United Kingdom was determined by the ministers based on the latest data and analysis of Harsh Shringla, the Foreign Minister of United Biosafety Corporation, who urged the United Kingdom to relax travel restrictions on Indians during his recent visit to London.

It is believed that the infection rate in major cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai has dropped significantly. Travellers from red-listed countries must book accommodation for 10 days in managed isolation facilities. To ensure that British taxpayers will not subsidize those staying in these facilities Fees, fees will increase from August 12.