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The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has said that Ghana will be added to the list of countries and territories with approved proof of COVID-19 vaccination from 4 a.m. on Monday, October 11.
A statement issued by the UK government, made available to the Ghanaian News Agency, also announced that as of 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 11, eligible travelers have been vaccinated in more than 37 new countries and territories, including Ghana, Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Turkey would also be treated the same as returning UK residents fully vaccinated, provided they did not have visited a Red List country or territory within 10 days of arriving in England.
He said that from October 11, the red list would be reduced to seven countries and proof of vaccination would be recognized in 37 new countries and territories.
He noted that the British government had confirmed that as of 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 11, 47 countries and territories would be removed from its red list, making it easier for more people to travel abroad to a greater large number of countries and territories.
He said passengers returning to England from those destinations would no longer be required to self-quarantine at the hotel.
The statement said the continued progress in immunization both in the country and around the world means the government could confidently reduce the size of the Red List to focus on countries with the highest risk, informed by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) assessment.
He said fully vaccinated, eligible passengers under the age of 18 returning from countries and territories not on the red list, could do so with just a two-day test.
He noted that other passengers who were not fully vaccinated with an authorized vaccine returning from a non-red destination must still take a pre-departure test, a second day and eighth day test, and complete a self-test. 10-day isolation (with the option of testing to Release on Day 5).
The statement noted that passengers who were not eligible travelers with an authorized vaccine arriving from a destination in the rest of the world must still take a pre-departure test, a second day and eighth day test and complete 10 days. self-isolation (with the test option to Release on the fifth day).
He said the latest travel update builds on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s announcement earlier this week that it has lifted advice against all but essential travel for more than 30 countries and territories.
He said more warnings would be removed as countries and territories move off the red list, making it easier for people to be covered by insurance when traveling to a wider list of destinations.
Mr Grant Shapps, UK Transport Secretary, said: “With mid-term and winter sun just around the corner, we are making it easier to reunite families and loved ones, drastically reducing the number of destinations on the road. red list, thanks in part to the increased vaccination efforts around the world ”.
“Restoring people’s confidence in travel is key to rebuilding our economy and leveling this country. With fewer restrictions and more people traveling, we can all continue to move forward safely on the road to recovery together.”
Mr Sajid Javid said, the UK Secretary for Health and Social Affairs said: “Our robust border measures have helped protect the phenomenal progress of our immunization program, and it is thanks to this success here and in the world that we can safely open ourselves to travel further and we can visit our friends and family abroad. ”
“We are now making travel easier and cheaper for people by allowing fully vaccinated travelers from non-redlisted countries to use lateral flow tests on the second day of their arrival, provided they provide proof of use. ”
The statement said that “the change in restrictions builds on the recent simplification of international travel rules, including the removal of pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated eligible travelers implemented earlier this week.” Government scientists would continue to engage with countries still on the red list and keep evidence on the variants of concern, particularly Lambda and Mu, under close scrutiny to ensure the UK’s approach remains. proportionate. ”
He said the UK government will maintain border surveillance through testing and genomic sequencing, so they can respond quickly if any country’s risks increase.
He said “From the end of October, fully vaccinated eligible passengers, including those under 18 returning from a country in the rest of the world, will have the option of replacing their second day test with a less lateral flow test. expensive, followed by a free PCR test if positive, reducing the cost of testing upon arrival in England.
He noted that the UK government could also confirm that passengers taking postal tests would be able to send a photo of their lateral flow test as a minimum requirement to verify the test result, with ambitions remaining to put this in place. for people returning half the time. quarter interruptions by the end of the month.
The statement said data from all countries and territories would be kept under review and the UK government would not hesitate to take action when a country’s epidemiological picture changes.
GNA
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