News

Where can you travel without quarantining upon return? Latest updates here.

The quarantine rules are changing all the time as different countries battle to bring down cases. But the current restrictions in place are listed here.

The Manc The Manc - 11th August 2020
Porapak Apichodilok / Pexels

As we head into the final few weeks of summer, people all over the UK are hoping to squeeze in a cheeky summer holiday and travel to a new part of the world before autumn begins.

However, after initially getting cases under control, many nations are experiencing a resurgence of coronavirus – forcing the British government to bring in quarantine restrictions surrounding travel.

Simply put – any passengers arriving from a nation that is not on the UK’s ‘travel corridor’ list will have to isolate for two weeks when they get home.

The quarantine rules are changing all the time as different countries battle to bring down cases. But the current restrictions in place are listed below.

Which countries require a quarantine upon return to the UK?

A number of nations have had to be added to the ‘red’ list in recent weeks due to a rise in coronavirus infection rates.

The Government is advising against all but essential travel to these countries.

Passengers touching back down in the UK from nations on the red list must self-isolate for a period of 14 days.

Those who do not run the risk of being fined up to £1,000 in England.

  • Andorra
  • The Bahamas
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Luxembourg
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • The United States

Anyone returning from most parts of Central and South America will be required to isolate upon arrival in the UK, with several nations in this part of the world closing borders to visitors.

Many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia are also on the red list. Exemptions are listed later down the article.

Which countries are considered ‘at risk’ of being added to the red list?

 Eugene Dorosh / Pexels

Some nations are teetering on the brink of the UK’s red list, with pockets of COVID-19 creeping up over the past few days.

France is currently at risk of having travel quarantine restrictions imposed, and anyone planning to visit should be aware that new rules could be introduced soon.

Croatia, Greece and Norway have also seen a rise in cases.

Stay up-to-date using the Government website ahead of travelling.

Which countries are on the ‘travel corridors’ list and do not require self-isolation upon return to the UK?

Anna Shvets / Pexels

The nations listed below are currently on the ‘travel corridor’ list, meaning you will not need to self-isolate when you get back to the UK upon your return.

However, it is important to note that many of these countries do have restrictions of their own in place – which may require you to self-isolate when you arrive.

Remember to check the Government website for the latest updates before you book and travel.

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Barbados
  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Estonia
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • French Polynesia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Macau
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Réunion
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • St Barthélemy
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Pierre and Miquelon
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Vatican City
  • Vietnam

You can also learn more about travelling to different parts of the world – and the restrictions in place for these countries – online.

Visit the Government foreign travel advice page and click on a particular country to find out about the current guidelines and recommendations.

News

Ancoats bar Sammy’s closes after ‘online smear campaign’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Ancoats bar Sammy's closes after 'online smear campaign'

A popular late-night bar in Ancoats has announced its official closure after several months of silence.

Sammy’s Bar, which was styled as a retro 70’s diner and stayed open into the early hours, has said the bar ‘is officially no longer’.

In a statement shared on the bar’s Instagram stories, founder Sammy Shonn said that there was been an ‘online smear campaign’ and has decided to sell the bar ‘for my own mental wellbeing’.

All posts on the Sammy’s Instagram feed have now been deleted.

The account, and the bar itself, will now be transferred to new owners.

Sammy’s opened in 2019 and was a popular, hidden-bar-style spot for late-night cocktails and DJs.

Their full statement reads: “It’s with regret that I inform you Sammy’s is officially no longer.

“Whilst I vehemently maintain my total innocence against all of the hurtful allegations made against me and my character in a recent online smear campaign, for my own mental wellbeing, I’ve made the difficult decision to sell the bar, along with all its associated assets, including this social media account.

“Thank you to everyone for your custom, your love and your support since 2019.

“Together we created something special. I am now transferring this account to the new owners, who I am sure will post something shortly regarding their plans.”

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

News

A petition has been created to make Prestwich’s Oasis-inspired ‘Aldeh’ sign permanent

Danny Jones Danny Jones Make Aldeh sign in Prestwich permanent petition

We love how Greater Manchester, the UK and, indeed, the whole world have been gripped by Oasis fever – even brands like Aldi, who recently renamed one of their local shops ‘Aldeh’ in honour of Oasis and Manc accents everywhere; in fact, there’s even a petition to make it permanent.

And it’s already starting to gather some steam…

That’s right, the Aldi in Prestwich – or ‘Aldeh’ as we shall hopefully refer to it from now until forever – has seen not just local shoppers in and around Bury, but Oasis fans and even just curious Mancunians visit the location to see it for themselves.

In case this silly but oddly satisfying bit of news somehow passed you by, here it is in all its (What’s the Story?) Morning Glory:

A slightly caricatured and over-the-top impersonation of the most Gallagher-esque voice ever? Maybe. Fun to record? Definitely Maybe.

The sign itself has stood outside the branch located near Heaton Park for just over a fortnight now in honour of the Live ’25 reunion gigs and has drawn plenty of attention.

As described by the creator of the petition, Ella Curtis – a Manchester native herself – “photos of the sign went viral, because it tapped into something meaningful: pride in where we’re from, and in what this city has given the world. In short, Prestwich got its own Blue Plaque.”

Simply entitled, ‘Make “Aldeh” Permanent: A Tribute to Manchester’s Musical Legacy’, you can find a lengthy and surprisingly inspiring explanation detailing why the petition matters down below.

“1. A Tribute to Manchester’s Cultural Legacy

Manchester’s contribution to music – and to British culture more broadly – is unmatched. Oasis gave the world BritPop and helped define a generation. The ‘Aldeh’ sign reflects that heritage in a way that feels authentic, local, and proud.

2. A Source of Local Pride

As a proud Mancunian, I’ve seen the reaction firsthand. The sign has brought a real sense of community, joy, and identity to the area. People stop to take pictures, to smile, to talk. In a time when towns often struggle to feel distinctive, this simple change has sparked something genuinely positive.

3. A Cultural Landmark in the Making

In just a short time, the sign has become a local attraction and even a landmark – a destination for fans. It is a symbol and reminder of how we, as Mancunians all came together to celebrate one of the biggest reunion concerts from one of the world’s biggest bands happening right on our doorstep!

The ‘Aldeh‘ sign might have started as a temporary campaign, but it’s come to mean something more – to this city, to its people, and to anyone who recognises the power of music and place.”

Of course we’ve signed it. (Credit: Screenshot via Change.org)

Read more:

Already listed on Google as a ‘cultural landmark’, even boasting 5-star reviews, Aldi themselves have responded by saying: “Boss said we also need 10,000 likes and a comment from one of the Gallaghers.”

It’s your time to shine, folks – we’ll worry about the two later.

The ‘Aldeh’ petition page ends with a simple but moving message: “Sign if you agree – let’s make ‘Aldeh’ a lasting part of Manchester’s story.”

Listen, it’s very rare that you see a city, a country and arguably the entire world taken over by a collective obsession and unified love of music and art; with that in mind, you best believe we’re right behind this.

And if you fancy tacking the ‘Aldeh’ sign onto a tour of important Oasis heritage sights in 0161, then look no further.

14 iconic Oasis locations you need to visit in Manchester
‘As you were x’

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Audio North

More News

Art & Culture

Manchester Fashion Week is returning for 2025 this autumn after a decade-long hiatus

Poll Card

News

Plans to lower the voting age means 16-year-olds will have the right to vote at all UK elections

Tailgating on the motorway

News

New National Highways campaign launched to prevent ‘intrusive’ act that 43% of drivers admit to doing

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches