The places exempt from quarantine in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Please note: This information in this article is correct as of 17.30am on 15 January 2021.  

As of 4am on 18 January ALL UK travel corridors will close. This will initially be in place for a month. 

Anyone arriving in the UK will need proof of a negative test no older than three days. Learn more.  They will need to quarantine for 10 days. 

What does this list mean?

This list for the UK is formed of the destinations (including countries and territories) that have a low risk of coronavirus.

It is important to remember that England, Ireland, Wales  and Scotland have different lists, so the countries on each won't always be the same. 

Don't forget! Just because a destination is on the list, it does not necessarily mean you can visit from England or Scotland. 

It does mean that people currently in those countries can come to the UK without having to quarantine. Before travelling, it is still paramount that you check the travel restrictions in place for the country or island you want to visit.

That said, some places on the list do allow travellers from England and Scotland to visit, which means you can go on holiday there without having to self-isolate on arrival or on return. Again, it's important you check the official travel advice for individual destinations.

What's new on the list?

Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius, Israel and Jerusalem were removed from the list on 9 January. 

United Arab Emirates was removed from the list on the 12 January.

Azores, Madeira, Aruba, Chile, Qatar and Bonaire/ St Eustatius/ Saba will be removed from the list at 4am on Saturday 16 January. 

The full list of 47 destinations that are exempt from quarantine 

You don't need to isolate on arrival to these countries, or on return to England or Scotland. However, other measures may be in place such as the requirement to take tests or fill out forms, so it is important to check the specific advice for each destination.

Be aware that while St Barthélemy is still on the exempt list, St Martin has been taken off, meaning you will need to self-isolate on your return to the UK from St Martin. 

Be aware that foreign tourists can only visit certain places in Cuba: Cayo Coco, Cayo Cruz or Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Largo del Sur. On arrival in these places, you will have your temperature checked and a PCR test. Anyone showing symptoms and anyone that tests positive will be hospitalised. 

Please note, those wishing to go to Saint Lucia need to complete a pre-arrival registration form. This will include the need for details of proof of a negative test and proof of a COVID-19 certified hotel booking. You will need a certificate showing a negative test taken seven days before arrival. 

Check out our travel guide to Saint Lucia

Make sure you check the entry requirements for Cambodia before you travel. 

Check out our Cambodia travel guide. 

Find out what travelling to Iceland is like during the pandemic. 

You will need proof of a negative test that's been taken 120 hours (or less) prior to your arrival. 

Be aware that you will still have to isolate on your return if you transit though Denmark. 

See our Faroe Islands travel guide

Be aware that you will may have to isolate on your return if you transit though Denmark (check Denmark's status). 

Check out our full travel guide to Greenland

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See our full travel guide to Grenada

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See our travel guide for Saint Kitts and Nevis

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Please note, the Northern Mariana Islands are not on Scotland's travel corridor list.

What about Ireland, the Channel Islands and British Overseas Territories?

It would appear that Ireland is already exempt from quarantine as part of the common travel area. The Channel Islands are exempt from quarantine in the UK, as is the Isle of Man.

The FCO have also noted on their official website that, in addition to this list, they "will be exempting the British Overseas Territories." However, Turks and Caicos has now been removed from the exemption list. From 4am on 14 August, anyone returning from Turks and Caicos and to the UK will need to self-isolate for 14 days. 

The remaining British Overseas Territories include: Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

More important coronavirus updates:

Where can we travel within the UK?

Daily border update: Where's open and where's closed?

Lyn Hughes: Why the world needs us to travel