UK to remove all seven countries from its Covid red list

The UK removed all seven remaining countries from its Covid-19 red list, effectively ending a mandatory hotel quarantine requirement for any arriving travelers. The highest-risk category will remain notionally in place to protect public health, and UK officials are prepared to add countries back if necessary, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Thursday on Twitter. The seven countries -- Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Haiti, Panama, Ecuador and Peru -- will be removed on Nov. 1. The UK will also recognize vaccine certification from over 30 more countries and territories. Hotel quarantine measures were first set in place in February as the UK sought to slow the import of new coronavirus variants after an outbreak last winter. The changes to the red list will give people confidence to book trips, said Karen Dee, the chief executive officer of the Airport Operators Association. Accepting vaccination certification from more countries is a vital step toward restarting tourism to the UK, she said. The UK will now accept vaccination certificates from countries including Peru and Uganda, expanding the total to over 135, Shapps said. The nation was earlier criticized for its refusal to recognize vaccine certifications issued in a number of nations. The 10-day stay at government-selected lodgings was required for all arrivals from red-list countries, regardless of vaccination status. As of Sept. 29, 203,360 people had gone through hotel isolation, which currently costs 2,285 pounds ($3,153) per person. <br/>