New red list additions as Omicron fears grow

• Home
• Travel News
• Tourism News

New red list additions as Omicron fears grow

• 9 hours ago

Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola have been added to the travel red list for arrivals into England as fears over a new variant of Covid-19 grow.

They join a number of African countries on the list, including South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

As a result of the decision, British and Irish citizens, or those with residence rights, arriving to England from countries on the red list must book a managed quarantine hotel in advance.

The package will include a the nights in a hotel, quarantine transport and a test package for Covid-19 on day two and day two of quarantine.

Prime minister Boris Johnson also confirmed earlier all arrivals in the UK would need to undergo a PCR test as authorities seek to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

Two cases of the variant have already been identified in Essex and Nottingham.

ADVERTISEMENT

googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display("gAd-300x250-3");});

Targeted testing and contact tracing is now underway, the government said.

Early indications suggest this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant and current vaccines may be less effective against it.

A rapid rise in infections in South Africa has been attributed to the spread of this new variant of Covid-19.

Rory Boland, Which? Travel editor, said the situation remained fluid: “This news is a further reminder that travel is not back to normal, and that the pandemic will continue to throw travellers’ plans into jeopardy, often at short notice.

“All flights are suspended to these four countries, so passengers will be entitled to a refund for their holiday or flight, so long as they booked with a UK or EU carrier, or with any carrier due to depart from the UK or EU.

“However, getting refunded for the cost of accommodation will be trickier, and will depend on the property’s policy.”

He added: “If your trip is several weeks or months away, travellers should at this stage do nothing as the situation may change.

“Those booking a trip should do so through holiday providers with good, flexible booking policies in case it cannot go ahead.”

Older Johnson confirms UK arrivals will require PCR test Newer Spain to require proof of vaccination from UK travellers Tagged With: uk inbound tourism market mozambique tourism zambia tourism board malawi tourism angola Share On: LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email more Comments (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.0&appId=513546488713861'; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Subscribe

Subscribe to our daily newsletter to keep up to date with the latest headlines from the global hospitality sector.

Recommended Johnson confirms UK arrivals will require PCR test 9 hours ago South Africa leads red list additions as new Covid-19 variant identified 3 days ago Moscow outlines bid to host Expo 2030 4 days ago Anantara New York Palace Budapest to open in the spring 5 days ago New Zealand to reopen to tourists in April 5 days ago Breaking Travel News investigates: Radisson RED London Heathrow 5 days ago International Superyacht Summit headed to Dubai next month 5 days ago IBTM Spain to welcome Saint Petersburg Convention Bureau 6 days ago Related Articles Johnson confirms UK arrivals will require PCR test 9 hours ago South Africa leads red list additions as new Covid-19 variant identified 3 days ago Government to partially fund two domestic routes from London 6 days ago Quarantine rules removed for under-18s entering England 9 November 2021 Remaining countries removed from England red list 28 October 2021 Travel trade issues mixed response to 2021 UK budget 28 October 2021 VisitBritain reveals importance of football to tourism sector 20 October 2021 Hospitality leads economic recovery in the UK 20 October 2021