The UK’s traffic light system for travel is regularly reviewed, and on 4am on Sunday 8 August India was moved from the red list to the amber list. Travellers who arrived in the UK before then must follow the red list rules.
Is India on the amber list?
On Sunday 8 August India was moved from the red list to the amber list. This means that travellers who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine at home for 10 days on their return to the UK, and take a PCR test on days two and eight. Fully vaccinated Brits can travel to India without quarantining on their return. However, you must take a Covid-19 test in the three days before travelling back to England, book and pay for another test to be taken within two days of arrival, and complete a passenger locator form.
What are the entry requirements for India?
At the moment, all regular international flights between the UK and India are suspended. However a limited number of flights continue to operate. Those who do need to travel to India are required to upload a negative PCR test result taken in the 72 hours before their scheduled flight time to newdelhiairport.in. They will undergo thermal testing on arrival.
Palace of Wind in Jaipur, India
Getty Images
Will India go on the green list?
It’s unlikely that India will move to the green list any time soon, but the next government review will take place on Wednesday 25 August, with changes coming into effect from 4am on Sunday 29 August.
Is India still in lockdown?
Most states in India still have some restrictions and curfews in place, and some such as Kerala, Assam and West Bengal are enforcing long- and short-term lockdowns in response to rising cases. Many are in the process of easing restrictions, but we advise checking updates for your specific destination before travelling as the rules can change quickly.
What about the Delta variant?
The Delta variant originated in India but is now the dominant strain of Covid-19, accounting for the majority of cases in the UK. While it’s thought to be more contagious – even fully vaccinated people can become infected – it also seems to be less life-threatening, especially for those who have been fully vaccinated, but researchers are concerned about the spread to rural areas of India, which have been largely spared by the virus until now.
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