UK Opens to Non-Essential Travel: First Green List Announced

On 17 May 2021, the UK reopened non-essential international travel for the first time in over a year. An initial Green List of around 12 countries and territories—including Portugal, Gibraltar, and Israel—offered the most travel-friendly entry route, requiring only pre- and post-travel COVID-19 tests with no quarantine. Amber-list arrivals faced quarantine requirements, while red-list countries involved managed hotel quarantine.

For Sri Lankan travellers planning UK visits or onward travel from the UK, this phased reopening signals the direction of global travel recovery. Check which list applies to your destination and plan your tests accordingly—the UK's system is clear and straightforward, though it continues to evolve as the pandemic outlook changes. If your destination is Green-listed, you can expect relatively smooth entry.