Cyprus remains on UK’s amber list

Cyprus will remain for another three weeks on the UK’s amber list for the coronavirus, under the latest travel review decided by the British government on Thursday.

The changes to the travel review come into effect from August 30.

Although the no-status change for Cyprus was expected, given the high incidence of cases here, the decision effectively ended any hopes for an influx of British tourists at the close of the summer season.

The amber category means all travellers must take a pre-departure test three days before returning as well as a PCR test on or before day two of their return. Travellers not fully vaccinated must also self-isolate for 10 days and take a second PCR test on day eight of their return. An optional day-five test can be taken, with a negative result allowing travellers to “test out” of quarantine, but the day-eight test must still be taken regardless of the result.

The UK moved a total of seven countries from amber to the green list for quarantine-free travel: the Azores (Portugal), Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Switzerland.

For destinations designated as ‘green’ (lowest risk), arrivals to the UK must take a pre-departure test three days before returning to the UK, as well as a PCR test on or before day two of their return. They do not have to quarantine unless their test is positive, and there is no requirement for additional tests.

The latest travel review also saw Thailand and Montenegro downgraded to the red list. For ‘red’ countries, arrivals must undertake a 10-day quarantine in a managed hotel well as pre-departure testing, and mandatory PCR testing on or before day two and on or after day eight.

Turkey remained on the UK’s red list.