Let’s face it, there is a huge desire to travel again after spending most of our winter in our homes. Despite how comfy our sofa and kitchen are, the desire to travel to amazing places will never lose its appeal to folks who love to experience new cultures.
If you have visited any of our trip pages recently, you may have noticed that we have added a ‘traffic light’ system for signalling when it is safe to travel to our destinations. We have split these lights between the USA and UK as currently the regulations for each nation are quite different. If you are not from either of these countries and you are looking to book a trip to the Greek Isles, for example, then please get in touch and we will check our resources and ensure that the information you have researched is accurate.
Here’s what each colour of the traffic light means to each country:
US Guests
Green: Generally good to travel to. There may be some requirement to get a PCR test prior to travel. Bear in mind this may be required to travel back to the US as well. Countries currently on the Green Light system are Peru, Zambia and Greece.
Amber: Destinations that are not currently on the Green list however we believe them to be moving that way. This can be due to a number of factors such as a high percentage of the population vaccinated, and the potential to open their borders soon to international travellers and advice from the CDC.
Red: Travel not recommended at this time.
We do endeavour to keep information and entry criteria up to date and relevant on the trip pages, but if you have any questions, please contact the office.
The Zambezi is perfect for anyone!
UK Guests
These are based on the current list on the UK Government website. Bear in mind that travel regulations may vary slightly from nation to nation.
Green: You must only have been in or travelled through a green list country or the Common Travel Area in the previous 10 days. Before you travel to England, you must:
Upon arrival in England, you must:
Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive. You do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive. You must self-isolate if NHS Test & Trace informs you that you travelled to England with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Amber: Here is what you must do if you have been in an amber country or territory in the 10 days before you arrive in England. Please be aware, it is still legal to travel to ‘Amber’ countries provided entry criteria to that country are met.
Before traveling to England, you must:
- complete a passenger locator form
- take a COVID-19 test
- book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel tests– to be taken after arrival in England
Upon arrival in England, you must:
- quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
- take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8
You must read and follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.
You may be able to end quarantine early, if you pay for a private COVID-19 test through the ‘Test to Release’ scheme.
Red List: Here is what you must do if you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in England.
If you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish National, or if you have residence rights in the UK.
Before traveling to England, you must:
- complete a passenger locator form
- take a COVID-19 test
- book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests
On arrival in England, you must:
You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.
We recognise that the travel landscape is changing frequently and we will do our utmost to provide up-to-date information on our website. We can’t wait to share an adventure with you soon!
All Information Correct At Time Of Publication 18 May 2021
by Hamish McMaster
Hamish McMaster is the Water By Nature owner. He has spent the past 25 years exploring and playing on the world's great rivers. He still loves nothing more than getting out there and sharing adventures.
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