THE remaining seven countries still on the red list for travel in Wales will be removed from it on Monday, November 1.

Health minister Eluned Morgan confirmed that the changes to international travel will take place after the UK Government announced a similar move.

Countries may still be added to the red list as the Covid-19 situation develops.

Thirty-five countries will be added to the list of countries whose vaccinations and certifications are recognised for international travel.

The Welsh Government also warned that technical changes to the passenger information requirements and private test provider obligations to notify Public Health Wales about test results will be made.

Changes to the testing requirements for all fully-vaccinated travellers arriving in Wales will come into force from 4am on Sunday, October 31. 

All fully vaccinated adults in Wales who have travelled from countries which are not on the red list, will be able to take a lateral flow test, as opposed to a PCR test, on or before day two of their arrival into the UK.

Travellers will have to isolate for 10 days if they recieve a positive lateral flow test and will have to take a follow-up PCR test.

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Ms Morgan said: "We have consistently urged the UK Government to take a precautionary approach towards reopening international travel but it has decided to push ahead. 

"We remain concerned about this approach and the speed with which international travel is being opened up, at a time when cases of coronavirus are increasing at home and abroad.

"These changes are not without risk – the UK’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) has advised the evolution of a vaccine escape variant is “almost certain”, and the risk of increased clinical severity is a “realistic possibility"

"We are also concerned about the UK Government’s many decisions to change the border health measures, which are important protections to prevent the risk of new cases – and new variants of coronavirus – from entering the UK.

"However, it is difficult for Wales to adopt different arrangements to those required by the UK Government, as the majority of Welsh travellers enter the UK through ports and airports in England.

"Having different requirements would cause significant practical problems, confusion among the travelling public, logistical issues, enforcement at our borders and disadvantages for Welsh businesses.

"The pandemic is not over.

"It is for this reason that our advice continues to be to encourage people to only travel overseas for essential reasons."