The UK press is wondering if Egypt could get off the red list today: Egypt could be moved to the UK’s amber list in an expected review of the country’s travel traffic light system later today, Travel expert Tim White tells i News. White called Egypt a “borderline candidate” to be removed from the red list as Egypt’s covid-19 daily case figures remain low.

However, he pointed to the low vaccination rate in the country — currently at less than 3% of the population fully vaccinated — as well as possible suspicion over the accuracy of case numbers. Other countries that could join us on our bump upwards include Oman, Pakistan, Turkey, Maldives, and the Dominican Republic, he added.

What does it mean to be on the amber list versus the red list? Being on the red list meant that arrivals from Egypt were required to undertake a 10-day quarantine in a specified hotel at a cost of GBP 2k per adult as well as several mandatory PCR tests before and after reaching the UK. The amber list’s biggest difference is that arrivals can now self-quarantine instead, also for a period of 10 days. A pre-departure test is still required three days before landing in the UK as well as a PCR test on day two of their arrival and on day eight. Another difference is that an optional day-five PCR test can be taken, with a negative result allowing travellers to “test out” of quarantine.

MEANWHILE- Egypt fell two places in Bloomberg’s Covid Resilience Ranking, now standing at #39 from the 53 countries included. Egypt scored high on vaccinated travel routes as it largely kept its borders open during the pandemic.