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Wales aligns with UK travel changes but opposes ditching Day 2 PCR tests
The Welsh Government has confirmed it will align with the UK and merge the green and amber travel lists into one.
It removes the requirement for pre-departure testing for those fully vaccinated.
The changes take effect by 4 October in alignment with the new UK rules
The Welsh Government hasn’t made a decision on scrapping PCR tests but has outlined its opposition to the change.
It is calling on the UK Government to reverse its decision.
"We have regularly called for a careful approach to international travel to prevent Covid being re-imported into the UK, especially new and emerging variants which may not respond to the vaccines," said Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services.
"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."
"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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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Wales aligns with UK travel changes but opposes ditching Day 2 PCR tests
The Welsh Government has confirmed it will align with the UK and merge the green and amber travel lists into one.
It removes the requirement for pre-departure testing for those fully vaccinated.
The changes take effect by 4 October in alignment with the new UK rules
The Welsh Government hasn’t made a decision on scrapping PCR tests but has outlined its opposition to the change.
It is calling on the UK Government to reverse its decision.
"We have regularly called for a careful approach to international travel to prevent Covid being re-imported into the UK, especially new and emerging variants which may not respond to the vaccines," said Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services.
"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."
"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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
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