Welsh Government confirms new rules for travelling abroad

The Welsh Government has confirmed rules around foreign travel which are due to come into force from next week.

The green and amber travel lists will be merged into one and travellers won't need to have a pre-departure test if they are fully vaccinated.

The changes will be made by October 4th.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has, however, raised concerns on moving away from PCR tests for returning travellers and is now calling on the UK Government to reverse its decision.

Its seen as a vital part of surveillance to prevent coronavirus being re-imported into the UK - especially emerging variants which may not respond to the vaccines.

She said: “We have regularly called for a careful approach to international travel to especially new prevent coronavirus being re-imported into the UK, and emerging variants which may not respond to the vaccines.

“The decision to move away from PCR tests from returning travellers on day two is concerning. This test, combined with genetic sequencing of all positive tests, is a vital part of our surveillance for coronavirus and protects our borders from the virus.

“We recognise the communication and enforcement challenges in having different testing requirements, and continue to thoroughly examine the evidence for a Wales-only testing regime, but the strongest solution to protect public health is for the UK Government to reinstate UK-wide testing.”

The Welsh Government is also considering which countries to expand the vaccine certification recognition system to over the coming weeks.