The UK has reversed its decision to mandate a quarantine period for vaccinated visitors from the EU or US as the nation looks to get its transport and aviation sectors up and running following a rough year under the pandemic.
Air travel. Credit: Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock
The UK government will be lifting the mandatory quarantine for overseas visitors rules on August 2. Credit: Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock
Under the old rules, visitors from "amber" rated countries would have had a mandatory ten-day quarantine period upon arriving in the UK.
The new rules will come into effect on August 2 and includes EU member states, the US, The European Free Trade Association, and a select few other European nations such as Andorra or Monaco.
Read more: Heathrow urges UK to open up following massive losses
The government has been criticised by a number of industry players for its slow response to the pandemic, which has caused significant losses and despite its lead in vaccine rollout has allowed other nations to get a grip on their tourist industries and attempt to re-open travel for the holiday period.
Lifting the rules also allowed for fully vaccinated Britons to return home without the need for a quarantine period.
However, only those vaccinated with jabs approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Swiss authorities will be able to enter England.
Visitors from the EU and US will still have to complete a pre-flight test before they travel and a PCR test two days into their stay. US travellers will also need to provide proof of US residency.
Visitors from France will also have to undergo a ten-day quarantine before their flight and a coronavirus test on days two and eight.
The Department of Transport has also given the go-ahead for international cruises departing from England to come into effect on the same date.
The new rules apply in England, with Scotland and Wales - both devolved powers - confirming they would follow suit.
Northern Ireland has yet to take an official stance on the matter. It is currently expected it will follow the old system unless it specifies otherwise.
"We will continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but thanks to our world-leading domestic vaccination programme, we’re able to look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours," Transport secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement.
"Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade – this is progress we can all enjoy."
Airliners such as British Airways, who have suffered massive losses due to the pandemic have welcomed the news, but insist more must be done in order to get the sector up and running again.
British Airways introduced Covid testing on its flights last November in an attempt to convince the government to reopen travel to and from the UK.
Read more: British Airways to introduce coronavirus tests on select flights
Heathrow Airport has also been heavily critical of the government's protocol in dealing with the pandemic, suggesting earlier this month that ministers needed a "plan B" for Britain's aviation sector.
The airport has been operating at 90% reduced demand and has been operating under suppressed conditions for 15 months. It claims it has suffered losses in excess of £3 billion (€3.5 billion) in that timeframe.
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