We now have the much-awaited report from the UK’s Global Travel Taskforce.

Good points, and disappointing points.

Here’s my thread breaking it down... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚦" title="Vertikale Verkehrsampel" aria-label="Emoji: Vertikale Verkehrsampel"> Traffic light system confirmed:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔴" title="Roter Kreis" aria-label="Emoji: Roter Kreis"> Hotel quarantine for 10-days.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🟠" title="Orangefarbener Kreis" aria-label="Emoji: Orangefarbener Kreis"> 10-day quarantine with two PCR tests: day 2 & day 8 (or 5-day quarantine with “test to release”, with a test on day 5.)

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🟢" title="Grüner Kreis" aria-label="Emoji: Grüner Kreis"> PLF form, pre-departure test & PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival.

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Checkpoints reviewing measures no later than:

- June 28th
- July 31st
- October 1st

Govt. will consider “emerging evidence” domestically/internationally.

Potential changes to self-isolation/managed quarantine.

Those with proof of vaccination may see different options too.

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https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🟢" title="Grüner Kreis" aria-label="Emoji: Grüner Kreis"> “Green Watchlist”:

Remember the weekly UK quarantine reviews?

This year, to “give travellers confidence”, the government will introduce a “watchlist” to help holidaymakers identify countries at risk moving from ‘green’ to ‘amber’.

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Travel certification:

The report takes note of new requirements for entry from countries, e.g. negative COVID-19 tests & vaccination certificates.

Work is taking place to create a “digital” (NHSX app) and “non-digital” solution for travellers to demonstrate COVID-19 status.

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Factors considered:

The “traffic light” system allows countries to be categorised by safety for travel.

Factors taken into account include...

- level of community transmission
- variants of concern present
- levels of testing
- genomic sequencing & reporting

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Allocations of countries “will be kept under review”.

A key focus on “variants of concern”.

The Joint Biosecurity Centre will publish “data and analysis to support the process of allocation countries”.

Will be interesting to take a look at this when published!

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Conclusion 1:

- Sadly, no consideration of cost of PCR tests.

- But good to see a “green watchlist” - avoids some of the chaos from last year.

- We have an idea of the factors taken into account, albeit slightly vague (Joint Biosecurity Centre will clarify in publication).

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Conclusion 2:

- “Green” traffic light category is, to say the least, disappointing. There should be no expensive PCR test for “green” countries with high immunisation & low infection rates.

- Good to see work under way for travellers to present test & vaccine certificates.

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And... there we have it folks.

Hopes this provide a little insight into what’s inside the long-awaited report from the UK’s Global Travel Taskforce.

Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/977298/Report-of-the-Global-Travel-Taskforce-web.pdf

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Some clarity on pre-departure testing. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">

The term “pre-departure” refers to a test taken in a foreign country, prior to your return to the UK.

This is not a test taken before departing from the UK; the UK government doesn’t mandate this, although some other nations will.

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