The Foreign Office has lifted its advisory warnings against all but essential travel to Egypt, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The government body said on Tuesday (September 28) that it no longer advises against all but essential travel to the destinations “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”.
They were among the eight countries which were removed from the government’s red list from 4am on September 22. Of the eight, the FCDO only relaxed its travel advice for three destinations: Turkey, Kenya and Oman.
It meant that anyone travelling to Egypt, the Maldives, Pakistan or Sri Lanka needed to have a special Covid insurance policy in place, and tour operators had to cancel and rebook any existing imminent departures.
Operators had warned that the Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to the Maldives could hamper late sales if it does not change soon.
Also, the UK government’s strict rules had been blamed for the trade facing a challenge securing hotel rooms in Egypt for clients next year.
Discover Egypt said the rules had forced Egyptian hotels to turn to other overseas markets to fill their rooms, such as the US, Germany and Russia.
Visitors to Egypt from the UK can obtain a tourist visa in advance electronically or upon arrival.
Those who have been fully vaccinated do not need to have a PCR test – they only need to show proof of their vaccination.
Picture of Cairo by Arsgera/Shutterstock
More: Foreign Office advice against Maldives travel could hamper late sales