The UK government has removed the seven remaining countries from its travel red list, meaning quarantine requirements have been lifted for vaccinated visitors.

From 0400 on Monday, 1 November, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela will be removed from the red list, though the red list and its accompanying hotel quarantine policy will remain in place in the event of new variants of the coronavirus emerging in foreign countries. The government said it will review the policy every three weeks and impose restrictions ¡°should there be a need to do so to protect public health¡±.

The government cut the red list to seven countries at the beginning of October following a simplification of its traffic light system, which saw only the red list remain.?

In addition to the red list change, eligible travellers with proof of vaccination from a further 30 countries and territories, including Argentina, Tanzania and Cambodia, will qualify under the fully vaccinated rules for entry to the UK. Those rules state that travellers do not need to take a pre-departure test and can take a cheaper lateral flow test on day two after their arrival.

Unvaccinated travellers from all countries are still subject to pre-departure, day two and day eight testing and mandatory quarantine.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: ¡°This is another step in the right direction for international travel with more good news today for passengers, businesses and the travel sector. We¡¯re continuing to make great progress as we recover from the pandemic and today is another example of how far we have come.¡±

Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid added: ¡°The red list and quarantine will remain vital in protecting our borders ¨C we are keeping a small number of quarantine rooms on standby and will not hesitate to take swift action by adding countries to the red list if the risk increases again.¡±

The news has been welcomed by the Latin American travel industry, which has largely been shut off from the UK market since travel restrictions were introduced last year.

Danny Callaghan, CEO of the Latin American Travel Association (Lata), said: ¡°Latin American countries have excellent vaccination programmes and recognition of this is long overdue.

¡°After many challenging months, Lata members will be pleased they can look at taking their clients to this amazing part of the world once again.¡±

However, figureheads of the UK travel industry feel the measures don't go far enough, with some saying that retaining the concept of a red list leaves the spectre of uncertainty in place, particularly for business travel.

Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, commented: ¡°The removal of all countries from the red list is appreciated. However, the lurking threat of further introductions to this list and the continued existence of quarantine hotels means that it does not give travellers the confidence that they need.

¡°Business travellers especially need to understand the criteria the government is using to make these decisions. Businesses and livelihoods depend on a more open and collaborative approach from the government.¡±

Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, agreed, saying the threat of restrictions coming back into play casts ¡°a shadow of uncertainty¡± for travellers.

¡°The industry must know exactly when and how this could be deployed in the immediate future to avoid unnecessary disruption and allow businesses to suitably plan for recovery. Engagement must be ongoing and transparent with the industry."

Jason Oshiokpekhai, MD of Global Travel Collection, said: ¡°What we had hoped for was a complete overthrow of the problematic traffic light system, giving us a pathway towards certainty and credibility.

¡°As one of the last remaining countries to remove the enforcement of policed hotel quarantine, we are coming into step with the rest of the world. The removal of this expensive and inhumane restraint allows us to unlock corporate travel globally and reunited our customers with the beautiful countries of Latin America.¡±