Egypt, Maldives and Sri Lanka remain on foreign office 'No-Go' list, despite RED list removal.

[DJKeefy]

Eight nations have been moved from the UK’s “red list,” which means arrivals no longer need go into hotel quarantine. But while holidays to Turkey, Kenya, Pakistan and Oman can now go ahead, Egypt, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka remain on the Foreign Office no-go list “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”.

A leading travel industry figure has deplored what she called “huge complexities and confusion” in the government’s approach.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, told The Independent: “Last week the transport secretary announced a ‘simplification’ of the rules in relation to international travel.

“Whilst the rules from 4 October become less onerous for those fully vaccinated, there are still huge complexities and confusion travellers will need to overcome.

“The latest became a reality this morning when half of the eight countries moving from red to amber still have a travel advisory from the FCDO advising against all but essential travel to the country ‘based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks’.

“There is either a risk or there isn’t. If a country is amber then the FCDO advise in relation to Covid risk must be updated otherwise its red.

“We need the government to ensure complete clarity is given to Brits because its communication in relation to international travel thus far has been anything but.”

The Independent has asked the Foreign Office for a response. The decision to keep Egypt, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on the list of nations where the FCDO warns against non-essential journeys means that standard travel insurance is not valid.

Ms Lo Bue-Said made her call as the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, announced that vaccinations administered in the UAE would be recognised by the UK from 4 October.

It has been added to the 54 other nations whose vaccinations the UK will recognise from 4 October.

But jabs administered in Turkey, India, anywhere in Africa and more than 100 other countries are not acceptable for avoiding quarantine in the UK.

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ne ... 24676.html

[newcastle]

A recognition that Egypt is rife with covid.

How it managed to escape the “red” list is the real surprise.

You can get insurance for travelling against FCDO advice so the main impact will be on the likes of those with package deals ....TUi and Easyjet....where their holiday will be cancelled. As I understand it, ABTA won’t sanction holiday packages to destinations without FCDO approval.

Easyjet will still fly to Sharm and Hurghada, on a flight only basis....if they can get enough bums on seats to make it commercially viable.

[Teddyboy]

"remain on the Foreign Office no-go list “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”."

Being ever optimistic, I read that to mean that there were parts of Egypt which were no-go as long as it was in the Governments Covid Red List, but seeing that it had been removed from it, then travel was to be allowed. Maybe my interpretation was/is wrong, but I still say that the actual wording is very misleading!

[newcastle]

"remain on the Foreign Office no-go list “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”."

Being ever optimistic, I read that to mean that there were parts of Egypt which were no-go as long as it was in the Governments Covid Red List, but seeing that it had been removed from it, then travel was to be allowed. Maybe my interpretation was/is wrong, but I still say that the actual wording is very misleading!

I agree the Gov Travel Advice and FCDO wording could be clearer ( or more coordinated)....but TUI has always made it clear that they wont fly against FCDO advice so, unless that changes, they’re cancelling. Easy jet happily fly against FCDO advice but cancel holidays in accordance with ABTA guidance.

And you can still get insurance from certain companies notwithstanding FCDO advice.

[Ellen120904]

I see today the FCO has updated their website ...Still current at:
28 September 2021
Updated:
28 September 2021
Latest update:
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Egypt, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks

[newcastle]

I see today the FCO has updated their website ...Still current at:
28 September 2021
Updated:
28 September 2021
Latest update:
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Egypt, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks

Yep....the FCDO have bought the story that there’s no covid problem in Egypt

[Who2]

This today from Al-Monitor re covid........
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/20 ... 9-pandemic