Explainer: Red, Amber And Green List Rules For Entering England

Indian students heading to the United Kingdom (UK) have to shell out an exorbitant amount, to be precise 1,750 pounds which is Rs. 1.81 lakh, for a mandatory 10-day institutional quarantine even after testing negative for COVID-19. The reason being, India is on the UK's red list for entry. So, even those students who have got both the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and have cleared RT-PCR test before they go and after they arrive will get into what some say is a jail stay. But these rules differ for people from different as the entry into the UK for students and others is governed by red, amber and green list for that country. Let's understand the red, amber and green list rules for entering England.

Red List Rules

Before you travel to England you must:

1. Take a COVID-19 test – children aged 10 and under do not need to take this test.
2. Book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests.
3. Complete a passenger locator form.

On arrival in England, you must quarantine in a managed hotel and take the two COVID-19 tests included in the package.

Some of the countries falling in the red category are Afghanistan, Brazil, India, Kenya, among others. India will move to the amber list at 4 am local time on August 8. 

Amber List Rules

Before you travel to England you must:

1. Take a COVID-19 test three days before you travel to England.
2. Book and pay for COVID-19 tests to be taken after arrival in England.
3. Complete a passenger locator form.

On arrival in England you must:

1. Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.
2. Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8.

People coming from countries falling under the amber list do not need to quarantine in a government-managed facility. One may be able to end quarantine early if they pay for a private COVID-19 test through the Test to Release scheme. Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, are some of the countries included in the amber list.

Also, there is a different set of amber list rules for the United States and European Union nationals. They don't need to quarantine or take a test on day 8 if they are fully vaccinated. But, they do need to book and take a day 2 test.

Green List Rules

Before you travel to England you must:

1. Take a COVID-19 test – children aged 10 and under do not need to take this test.
2. Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England.
3. Complete a passenger locator form.

On arrival in England you must:

1. Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive. Children aged 4 and under do not need to take this test.
2. You do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive.
3. You must quarantine if NHS Test & Trace informs you that you travelled to England with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

Bulgaria, and Iceland, are some of the countries included in green list. 

Additionally, if you have been in or through a country or territory on the red/amber list in the 10 days before you arrive in England, you must follow the red/amber list rules.