Azlan Othman

The United Kingdom (UK) announced a simplified system for international travel in light of its successful rollout of domestic vaccines from which Bruneians are also expected to benefit.

GOV.UK has indicated that the traffic light system will be replaced by a single red list of countries and territories with streamlined travel measures for arrivals from the rest of the world starting October 4 at 4 a.m.

Brunei Darussalam is included in an expanded list of 17 countries with vaccines recognized in England.

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s changes mean a simpler and more straightforward system. A solution with less testing and lower costs, enabling more people to travel, see loved ones or do business around the world while boosting the travel industry.

“Public health has always been at the heart of our international travel policy and with more than eight in 10 adults vaccinated in the UK we are now able to introduce a proportional update structure that reflects the new landscape. “

Testing requirements will also be reduced for eligible fully vaccinated travelers, who will no longer need to take a pre-departure test (PDT) when they travel to England from October 4.

Eligible passengers and those with an approved vaccine from non-red countries will be able to replace their day two test with a cheaper lateral flow test, reducing the cost of testing upon arrival in England.

The UK government is keen to introduce this by the end of October, with the aim of getting it in place when people return from vacation halfway through.

Anyone who tests positive will need to self-isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, at no additional cost to the traveler, which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.

Passengers who are not recognized as fully vaccinated with vaccines and certificates permitted under England’s international travel rules will still need to take a pre-departure test, day 2 and day 8 PCR test and self-isolate for 10 days upon their return from a non-redlisted country under the new two-tier travel program.

All passengers will always need to complete a passenger locator form prior to travel.

Passengers should continue to check GOV.UK travel advice, including travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) before, during and after travel to keep abreast of entry requirements and ensure compliance with the latest COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 regulations for the country visited.