The United Kingdom on Thursday kept Costa Rica on a list of countries from which it only allows the arrival of nationals or residents, who must quarantine in hotels paid for out of pocket.
The so-called “red list,” to which Costa Rica was added in June, prohibits entry except for British or Irish citizens or legal residents. They must remain isolated for 10 days in a government-designated hotel, paying 1,750 pounds ($2,470 dollars) for their stay.
The UK says its residents “should not travel to red list countries or territories.”
“COVID-19 prevalence is assessed to be high and there is evidence to suggest community transmission of variants of concern,” the Ministry of Transport said in a statement.
Costa Rica is averaging the 21st most new cases per capita over the past week, according to The New York Times global tracker.
Other countries on the red list include Panama, Mexico and all of South America.
The color-coded classification depends on a series of factors, which combine the prevalence of the virus and the advance of vaccination in each country. The Boris Johnson government has promised to review their designations every three weeks.
Costa Rica received 78,562 international arrivals from the United Kingdom in 2019.
The Red List designation also impacts sports: The English Premier League (EPL) says it won’t release players to countries on the Red List for World Cup qualifiers.
UK red list requirements
Via the UK government’s official website.
If you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK.
You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.
Before travel to England
Before you travel to England you must:
- take a COVID-19 test
- book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests
- complete a passenger locator form
On arrival in England
On arrival in England you must:
