Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from countries on Britain’s “amber list” including the U.S, China and Japan are set to avoid quarantine from as early as July 19, British media reports, as airlines prepare to check COVID-19 vaccine status on flights into Britain for the first time.
British ministers will meet this week to confirm a policy that will allow people to travel from amber list destinations without isolating for up to 10 days, The Times newspaper reported on Tuesday.
At present, travellers arriving from a country on the amber list are required to quarantine at home or in the place they are staying for 10 days on arrival.
Amber list arrivals also need to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on or before day two and on or after day eight at their own expense.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will unveil the rules change on Thursday, reporting that travellers must take a test before returning to Britain and another gold standard PCR test on the second day of return.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans on Monday for the final step in easing England’s COVID-19 lockdown, including removing laws governing social distancing and face coverings and an end to official advice to work from home.
The lengthy list of amber list countries includes The U.S, China, The Bahamas, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Spain, including the Canary Islands (The Balearic islands are on the green watchlist), Vanuatu and Yemen.
PCR test can also now be done at home in the UK, with high street chemist and retailer Boots offering at-home PCR self-test kits with results typically within 48 hours from receipt of the sample at the laboratory for around AU$120.
ABTA, the UK industry body representing 4300 travel brands, has urged the government to make good proposals to relax quarantine rules for fully vaccinated individuals visiting countries on the amber list like Spain and France.
As of the end of Monday, Jul 5, 86.2 per cent of British adults had received one dose of vaccination against COVID-19, and 64.3 per cent had received two doses.