The 46 places exempt from quarantine in England and Scotland

Please note: This information in this article is correct as of 9.00am on 18 September 2020. Please read on for any changes to the list.

At present, we have some clarity over who will be able to come into England and Scotland without having to quarantine, as well as where UK travellers will be able to travel without facing self-isolation.

The new rules came into place on 10 July 2020, and have been laid out by the FCO. See below for important information on how the new system will work.

What does this list mean?

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

It is important to remember that England 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 – such as Italy  – 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?

The FCDO advises against all non essential travel to Slovenia. This means that if you return from Slovenia to the UK on or after 4 am on the 19 September, you will need to self-isolate.

Singapore has been added to the UK government's quarantine exemption list. 

Thailand has been added to the UK government's quarantine exemption list. 

Guadeloupe has been removed from the quarantine exempt list. This means that if you return from Guadeloupe to the UK on or after 4am on 19 September, you will need to self-isolate. 

 

The full list of 47 destinations that are exempt from quarantine on arrival in England (and the 46 in Scotland)

The 19 destinations you can actually go to (without isolating while you're there)

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.

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Be aware that flights to the north of Cyprus have been suspended until at least 20 September. 

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Please note, Greece has been taken off Scotland's exempt list. Those returning from Greece to Scotland will have to self-isolate. Those returning to Wales from the Greek islands of Mykonos, Zante, Lesvos, Paros and Antiparos, Crete, Santorini, Serifos and Tinos to Wales will need to self-isolate.  

If you are returning from Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos to England, you will need to self-isolate. 

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Be aware that to visit the island you will need proof of a negative test no older than three days. 

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

The 28 destinations exempt from England and Scotland's quarantine (but still have travel restrictions)

You will need to self-isolate on arrival in Estonia, when travelling from the UK.

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On arrival in Iceland, you can choose between a 14-day self-isolation period or take two tests. If you choose to take the tests, one will need to be taken on arrival and then other will need to be taken five to six days later. You will then need to self-isolate until the results of your second test results come back. 

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Please note, asymptomatic UK travellers will have to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in Latvia. 

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50. Thailand 

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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