The UK has announced that from 4 am on Monday, August 2, it will be allowing fully vaccinated travellers from the U.S. and EU to enter the country without the need to quarantine on arrival.
In a massive move for the #ArrivalRevival of the travel industry in the Northern Hemisphere, the UK is to allow US and EU travellers who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus to enter without the need to quarantine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that the new rules will be in place from 4am on Monday August 2.
“We’re helping reunite people living in the US and European countries with their family and friends in the UK”, the minister said.
The Scottish Government has announced the rule change will apply to fully vaccinated EU and US visitors to Scotland from Monday.
The Welsh Government said while it “regrets” the move to remove quarantine requirements for EU and US visitors to England, it would be “ineffective” to have different rules for Wales.
Ministers in Northern Ireland will consider their position on the change at Thursday’s meeting of the powersharing executive. Health Minister Robin Swann will propose that the region also adopts the rule change from Monday.
Currently, only travellers who have received two doses of a vaccine in the UK are permitted to enter the UK from an amber country – such as the US and most of the EU – without self-isolating for 10 days, except those returning from France.
But ministers have decided to extend the exemption in England to those vaccinated in the US and the EU.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid added: “Our vaccination programme is building a wall of defence against this virus so we can safely enjoy our freedoms again, with seven in 10 adults in the UK now double jabbed.
“By reopening quarantine-free travel for travellers who have been fully vaccinated in European countries and the USA, we’re taking another step on the road to normality which will reunite friends and families and give UK businesses a boost.”
Travellers will be required to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before the second day after their arrival.
The news, welcomed by the air transport and travel sector, comes shortly after London’s Heathrow Airport and Britain’s main airlines urged the UK to open up travel to vaccinated passengers or face more job losses.
Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye said if Britain were to exempt fully vaccinated U.S. citizens from quarantine, in what would be a huge boost to the country’s aviation industry.
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, told the PA news agency: “The significance of this decision can’t be overestimated.
“It will pump vital cash into the travel economy, and help salvage the rest of the summer.”
No reciprocal deal has been reached with the US, meaning UK visitors are still banned from entering due to coronavirus fears.
Travellers from France to the UK will continue to be required to enter quarantine.
Mr Shapps also announced that international cruises will be permitted to restart from ports in England from Monday 2 August.
Passengers arriving at UK ports who have been fully vaccinated in the US and the EU will also not have to quarantine, the UK government said.
Source: AAP