International Travel To Restart May 17th, But USA Not On "Green" List

Image: iStock.com/Vladislav Zolotov

Walt Disney World News Published 7th May 2021, 5:25pm BST by Ash Hales

Transport Secretary Grant Shapp has today announced the first steps in allowing international travel once again. Starting May 17th, international travel is allowed. There will be a "traffic light" system where other countries will be placed.

Red countries: Passengers will have to pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests. UK citizens are advised not to travel to these countries.

Amber countries: Passengers will have to quarantine at home for 10 days on return, and must take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test 2 days and 8 days after return to the UK

Green countries: Passengers will not need to quarantine on return, but must take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test 2 days after return to the UK

COVID tests will have to be paid for by all passengers, and the government are finding ways to bring those costs down. TUI has recently announced £20 COVID tests and other airlines might follow soon in due course.

There will be 12 green countries to start with, but this does not yet include the USA. This will be reviewed every 3 weeks. Which means the next review will be on June 7th which is earliest date the USA could be made "green". However, Green list countries can have status withdrawn at any time.

The government's advice is not to book any holidays that do not include a refund in the event of Covid changes. Luckily, Disney do. You can book Walt Disney World for 2021 (the $200 gift card and free nights offer is still live) and bookings for 2022 are now being taken direct through Disney as well. Each come with free "zen guarantee" room/ticket cancellation up to 7 days before check-in for peace of mind should any of the governments plans change.

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About the author

Ash Hales

Founder, Mickey From The UK

Ash Hales is a British Disney Parks writer and the voice behind Mickey From The UK. Based in the South West of England, he's been visiting Disney Parks for nearly three decades and launched Mickey From The UK in 2017 to provide honest, straight-talking news and advice for UK guests - without the American bias.