Turkey, Egypt and the Maldives among 8 countries taken off red list today

HOLIDAYS to Turkey, Egypt and the Maldives are back on, after the countries were taken off the red list.

Eight countries were removed from the list at 4am this morning, including Sri Lanka, Oman, Kenya, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

That means anyone travelling to the UK from these destinations no longer has to pay £2,285 to stay in a quarantine hotel for ten days.

Unvaccinated Brits will still have to quarantine at home for 10 days and take PCR tests on day 2 and day 8 after their arrival, but vaccinated Brits and children will be able to skip quarantine and the day 8 test.

It isn't the only travel change, as fully vaccinated Brits will soon be able to skip the pricey tests when returning from abroad.

From October 4, the pre-arrival Covid test, currently mandatory for people arriving from all countries, will also soon scrapped for UK travellers who have had both jabs.

The day two test won't have to be a PCR test, but a cheaper lateral flow test from the end of October.

Travellers will have to pay for the lateral flow as the NHS ones are not accepted, but are much cheaper, costing around £30.

Unvaccinated Brits, however, will face new restrictions - needing three Covid tests and a 10-day quarantine, even if returning from open countries.

It is hoped to be introduced in time for the October half-term.

This would allow families to save hundreds on tests during the summer break, as well as travel more destinations.

The Government is working as "quickly as possible" to remove PCR testing for international travellers, the Transport Secretary has said.

Grant Shapps told the Transport Committee hearing on Wednesday that he did not have an exact date for when testing restrictions would be lifted but said his colleagues at the Department of Health are "aware of half term" when families will be wishing to go on holiday.

"It's clear the range of measures I introduced this week and last week are going to make a big difference and people will be able to travel much more freely. Part of that is the removal of the PCR test on day two and replacing it with a much simpler lateral flow test," Mr Shapps said.

"They (Department of Health) are aware of half term and are working closely with the private-sector providers to ensure we can do this as quickly as possible."