{"id":28493,"date":"2021-08-05T09:37:13","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T08:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/?p=28493"},"modified":"2021-08-19T09:09:35","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T08:09:35","slug":"travel-traffic-light-system-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About The Government&#8217;s Traffic Light System (Updated August 2021)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_56_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\" role=\"button\"><label for=\"item-69dc6392dc023\" ><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input aria-label=\"Toggle\" aria-label=\"item-69dc6392dc023\"  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-69dc6392dc023\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#The_governments_%E2%80%98traffic_light_system_has_caused_confusion_since_its_inception_back_in_May_However_with_the_latest_news_about_the_green_and_amber_lists_theres_reason_to_be_cheerful\" title=\"The government&#8217;s\u00a0\u2018traffic light\u2019 system has caused confusion since it&#8217;s inception back in May. However, with the latest news about the green and amber lists, there&#8217;s reason to be cheerful.\">The government&#8217;s\u00a0\u2018traffic light\u2019 system has caused confusion since it&#8217;s inception back in May. However, with the latest news about the green and amber lists, there&#8217;s reason to be cheerful.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#Which_countries_are_on_each_list\" title=\"Which countries are on each list?\">Which countries are on each list?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#Find_out_definitively_are_on_the_Red_Amber_and_Green_Lists_now\" title=\"Find out definitively,\u00a0are on the\u00a0Red, Amber, and Green Lists now.\u00a0\">Find out definitively,\u00a0are on the\u00a0Red, Amber, and Green Lists now.\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#But_what_is_the_traffic_light_system\" title=\"But what is the traffic light system?\">But what is the traffic light system?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#What_happens_if_I_want_to_travel_to_a_country_on_the_Red_or_Amber_lists\" title=\"What happens if I want to travel to a country on the Red or Amber lists?\">What happens if I want to travel to a country on the Red or Amber lists?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#How_do_they_determine_which_country_will_be_in_which_category\" title=\"How do they determine which country will be in which category?\">How do they determine which country will be in which category?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#But_whos_making_the_decisions\" title=\"But who\u2019s making the decisions?\">But who\u2019s making the decisions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#So_is_everyone_happy_now\" title=\"So, is everyone happy now?\">So, is everyone happy now?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#Cheaper_testing\" title=\"Cheaper testing\">Cheaper testing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/#In_conclusion\" title=\"In conclusion\">In conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_governments_%E2%80%98traffic_light_system_has_caused_confusion_since_its_inception_back_in_May_However_with_the_latest_news_about_the_green_and_amber_lists_theres_reason_to_be_cheerful\"><\/span>The government&#8217;s\u00a0\u2018traffic light\u2019 system has caused confusion since it&#8217;s inception back in May. However, with the latest news about the green and amber lists, there&#8217;s reason to be cheerful.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28617\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28617\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-28617 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Travel-Guidance-Traffic-Light-Infographic-July-19th-Updated-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Travel-Guidance-Traffic-Light-Infographic-July-19th-Updated-1.png 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Travel-Guidance-Traffic-Light-Infographic-July-19th-Updated-1-229x300.png 229w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Travel-Guidance-Traffic-Light-Infographic-July-19th-Updated-1-784x1024.png 784w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28617\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Everything you need to know about the government&#8217;s traffic light system in a nutshell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Back at the end of March Boris Johnson announced the <a title=\"What does the Government\u2019s Roadmap Mean for Travel?\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/02\/governments-roadmap-mean-travel\/\">roadmap<\/a> to a safe return to international travel would become clearer from mid-April. Now\u00a0we&#8217;re in August and, yes, we have a traffic light system with countries available for holidays. But there&#8217;s still a large amount of confusion and mistrust in companies and consumers when it comes to the system and its implementation.<\/p>\n<p>So, we thought it was about time someone laid out the details of this convoluted system and told you exactly what you need to know.<\/p>\n<p>First things first\u2026 <strong>where can you go?<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_countries_are_on_each_list\"><\/span>Which countries are on each list?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>European tourism powerhouses like <strong>Spain, Greece and Italy haven&#8217;t made the list. <\/strong>However, while Portugal and the Azores find themselves on the red list, for the moment Madeira is still amber. There are also Caribbean destinations on the green list, including Barbados, Antigua and Grenada, which does open the door to getaways this summer.<\/p>\n<p>As we have seen throughout the government&#8217;s process of unlocking, the\u00a0desire for cautious action rather than wholesale change has won out. This careful approach has meant that plenty of countries across the world now find themselves on the UK&#8217;s red list.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-fzokvW dlhZxU\" style=\"color: #1e1e1c;\">\n<p>It&#8217;s understood that, essentially, any other country which isn&#8217;t placed on the green or red lists will be on the <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><strong>amber list<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Find_out_definitively_are_on_the_Red_Amber_and_Green_Lists_now\"><\/span><strong>Find out definitively,\u00a0are on the\u00a0<a title=\"Which Countries Are On The Red, Amber and Green Lists: A Definitive Guide (Updated 5 August)\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/red-amber-green-lists-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\">Red, Amber, and Green Lists<\/a> now.\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_what_is_the_traffic_light_system\"><\/span>But what is the traffic light system?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>So now you know where you can go,<strong> what does it mean when you want to go away? <\/strong>And<strong> do you have to quarantine on your return to the UK?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>People returning from countries on the<span style=\"color: #339966;\"> \u2018Green\u2019 list<\/span> will need to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take a pre-departure test no more than 72 hours before starting your return journey<\/li>\n<li>Complete a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk\" target=\"_blank\">passenger locator form<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Get a PCR test on or before day two of your arrival back in the UK<\/li>\n<li>There\u2019s no need for quarantine \u2013 unless in the case of a positive test result<\/li>\n<li>Tests must be booked through a government-approved provider, before travelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>If you&#8217;re\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">fully vaccinated<\/span> and returning from a country on the\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">&#8216;Amber&#8217; list<\/span>\u00a0you\u2019ll need to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take a pre-departure test 72 hours before travel<\/li>\n<li>Complete a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk\" target=\"_blank\">passenger locator form<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Take a PCR test on day two<\/li>\n<li>There&#8217;s no need to quarantine &#8211; unless in the case of a positive test result<\/li>\n<li>Tests must be booked through a government-approved provider before travelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Whereas, <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">non-vaccinated<\/span> people returning from\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">&#8216;Amber&#8217; list<\/span>\u00a0countries will need to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take a pre-departure test 72 hours prior to travel<\/li>\n<li>Complete a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk\" target=\"_blank\">passenger locator form<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Quarantine at home for 10 days on return to the UK<\/li>\n<li>Take a PCR test on day two and day eight of your arrival back in the UK<\/li>\n<li>Option to cut short quarantine period with the use of the <strong><a title=\"Everything you need to know about the COVID Test and Release System\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/01\/test-and-release\/\">Test to Release scheme<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Tests must be booked through a government-approved provider before travelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re returning from a country in the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">&#8216;Red&#8217; list<\/span> you\u2019ll need to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take a pre-departure test 72 hours prior to travel<\/li>\n<li>Complete a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk\" target=\"_blank\">passenger locator form<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Quarantine for ten days at a managed quarantine hotel<\/li>\n<li>Take a PCR test on day two and day eight of your arrival back in the UK<\/li>\n<li>No option to cut short quarantine<\/li>\n<li>You must book and pay for a government-approved quarantine package before travelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The government will keep a constant watch on the status of countries. The\u00a0<strong>\u2018Green watchlist\u2019 <\/strong>is staying for now, to outline destinations most at risk of moving from green to amber.\u00a0As well as\u00a0a new <a title=\"Everything You Need To Know About The Amber-Plus List\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/07\/amber-plus-list\/\" target=\"_blank\">amber-plus list<\/a>\u00a0which has caused even more confusion to an already frustratingly over-thought system.<\/p>\n<p>So <strong>can you actually go to places on the amber and red list?<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_I_want_to_travel_to_a_country_on_the_Red_or_Amber_lists\"><\/span>What happens if I want to travel to a country on the Red or Amber lists?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Well, yes and no. We told you it was a frustratingly over-thought system.<\/p>\n<p>After the latest announcement about <a title=\"Quarantine-Free Travel To Amber Destinations For Vaccinated Brits\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/07\/quarantine-free-travel\/\" target=\"_blank\">quarantine-free travel to amber list destinations<\/a>, vaccinated travellers can now, essentially, treat the green and amber lists as the same thing. Just <strong>make sure you have COVID covering travel insurance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>However, things can get a little more tricky for non-vaccinated travellers who will still have to abide by the old amber list guidance (see above breakdown). Moreover, every <a href=\"https:\/\/caribbeanwarehouse.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/06\/green-list-destinations-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\">green list destination <\/a>has its own entry requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, if the country you&#8217;re visiting goes from amber to green while you&#8217;re there (or vice versa) then you will need to follow the advice for return travel in the colour category your current destination has changed to. For example, if it&#8217;s turned green then follow the green advice.<\/p>\n<p>Separately,<strong> if you&#8217;re travelling back from a country on the red list<\/strong> then the government has also announced the cost of staying in an approved quarantine hotel will be increasing. The cost for one adult staying 10 days will lift from \u00a31,750 to \u00a32,285. In addition, the cost for a second adult staying will be uplifted from \u00a3650 to \u00a31,430. The government have said change is to better reflect the costs involved.<\/p>\n<p>But ultimately, if you&#8217;re not sure what to do you can check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/foreign-travel-advice\">FCDO foreign travel advice<\/a> for more info on what the government are saying.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28575\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28575\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28575\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2021\/07\/woman-airport.jpg\" alt=\"woman in a mask standing with her luggage in an airport\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/woman-airport.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/woman-airport-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28575\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lots of summer holiday destinations could be opened up when quarantine-free travel begins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_they_determine_which_country_will_be_in_which_category\"><\/span>How do they determine which country will be in which category?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Following the announcement of the categorisation, Mr Johnson\u2019s team also recently confirmed <strong>how they\u2019ll position each country<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In order to determine which country sits where the government will take into account <strong>four points<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The percentage of the country\u2019s population to have been vaccinated<\/li>\n<li>Rate of infection<\/li>\n<li>Prevalence of variants of concern<\/li>\n<li>The country\u2019s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>As we&#8217;ve said, the government are constantly monitoring the situations with regards to the countries on each list.<strong>\u00a0Categorisation will be reviewed again at<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>two further \u2018checkpoints\u2019 on 31 July and 1 October<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28350\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28350\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28350\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2020\/12\/boris-johnson.jpg\" alt=\"Boris Johnson announced new Coronavirus restrictions recently\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/boris-johnson.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/boris-johnson-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28350\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mr Johnson has confirmed the UK are on course to hit the 17 May deadline for a return to international travel. Image: Flickr: Pippa Fowler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_whos_making_the_decisions\"><\/span>But who\u2019s making the decisions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>After all these exciting global travel announcements you may be wondering <strong>who, in the government, has been tasked with creating this system?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most announcements have come from the government\u2019s<strong> Global Travel Taskforce<\/strong>. Boris Johnson originally set up the Taskforce back in October to plot a safe return route for international travel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Transport Secretary Grant Shapps<\/strong> is at the head of the Taskforce and has been the person announcing the recent updates.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28498\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28498\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28498\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2021\/04\/grant-shapps.jpg\" alt=\"Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has been heading up the government's Global Travel Taskforce\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/grant-shapps.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/grant-shapps-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28498\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Transport Secretary Grant Shapps<\/strong> has been heading up the government&#8217;s Global Travel Taskforce. Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/number10gov\/49971167857\" target=\"_blank\">Number 10 Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_is_everyone_happy_now\"><\/span>So, is everyone happy now?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In a word, no. Travel companies have been continuously critical of, what they believe to be, the government&#8217;s over-cautious approach to reinstating international travel. The plans have also come under <strong>scrutiny from rival parties<\/strong> who say this system has been ambiguous at best, as well as the need for PCR testing only allowing global movement to those who can afford it. PCR tests are adding to the costs of travel &#8211; sometimes to the tune of \u00a3100 per person.<\/p>\n<p>There are those who&#8217;ll be happy\u00a0that those\u00a0popular Caribbean destinations have now made it on to the green list. However, many are getting tired of the government&#8217;s constant\u00a0re-categorisation\u00a0of countries without necessary preparation times. Travel bosses have also been quick to state that this shifting of destinations is damaging consumer confidence.<\/p>\n<p>However, Mr Shapps has again confirmed his team are constantly\u00a0<strong>looking at the COVID-19 numbers abroad. As well as assessing viable ways to drive down the cost testing<\/strong> to allow more access to foreign travel.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28375\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28375\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28375\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Heathrow.jpg\" alt=\"Man relaxes in an airport terminal look out of the window at planes parked\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Heathrow.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Heathrow-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28375\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The travel industry has criticised the latest government updates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cheaper_testing\"><\/span>Cheaper testing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The issue surrounding the cost of testing comes from the government\u2019s belief that <strong>PCR tests are the \u201cgold-standard\u201d of COVID tests<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Although <strong>Mr Schapps said about the cost of testing<\/strong>: &#8220;I think they are too expensive and it may be that there needs to be more entrants in the market, and we&#8217;ll be taking a very close look at that,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He has also confirmed the government are looking at the possibility of providing free <strong>Lateral Flow Tests<\/strong> to combat this issue.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_28495\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-28495\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-28495\" src=\"https:\/\/blogimg.bluebaytravel.co.uk\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pcr-test-traffic-light.jpg\" alt=\"A COVID PCR test is examined in a lab\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pcr-test-traffic-light.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pcr-test-traffic-light-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-28495\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">PCR tests are considered to be the &#8220;gold-standard&#8221; because they&#8217;re examined in a lab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_conclusion\"><\/span>In conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We should see the latest easing of restrictions in the UK as another step along the road back to normality.<\/p>\n<p>However, there are clearly annoyed folks out there on both sides of the travel fence. All we can say is, travel is now back. Get you COVID insurance cover if you&#8217;re going away and then start focussing on sun bathing again &#8211; if you can remember how!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The government&#8217;s\u00a0\u2018traffic light\u2019 system has caused confusion since it&#8217;s inception back in May. However, with the latest news about the green and amber lists, there&#8217;s reason to be cheerful.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":28502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[579],"tags":[1740,1741,1759,1757,1760],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Everything You Need To Know About The Traffic Light System (Updated July 2021)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We&#039;re making sense of all the news surrounding the government&#039;s new Traffic Light system which has been used to plot the UK&#039;s return to international travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bluebaytravel.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/travel-traffic-light-system-explained\/\" 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