Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason Ecuador remains on the covid-19 red list in the context of the low covid-19 infection rates and successful vaccination programme in that country.

Ecuador has been on the red list since 15 January 2021 due to the ongoing presence of variants of concern. The data for all countries and territories will be kept under regular review. Decisions on red country assignment and associated border measures will continue to be taken by Ministers, who take into account the JBC risk assessments alongside wider public health factors.

Government scientists will continue to engage with countries still on the red list and keep the evidence on variants of concern, especially Lambda and Mu, under close review in order to ensure the UK’s approach remains proportionate. The Government will not hesitate to take action where a country’s epidemiological picture changes.