Those who have been fully vaccinated in the EU (on the amber list) or in the USA will not need to isolate or quarantine when arriving in England or Scotland this coming Monday, August 4th. The UK government has said that it would apply to people who have been fully vaccinated with a jab approved by the EU (EMA) or US (FDA).
Travellers over 10 years of age will, however, still need to take a PCR test, lateral flow or antigen test before departure from their destination, and a PCR test on the 2nd day after they arrive.
The requirements are as follows:
- Those vaccinated in the US will also need to provide proof of US residency.
- Passengers from all countries cannot travel to the UK unless they have completed a passenger locator form.
- Proof of vaccinations needs to be presented.
- Proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Separate rules will still apply to those arriving from France, who the UK recently ranked as being ‘amber plus’.
This is a welcome relief for the travel industry in the UK that has been suffering of late. Tourist destinations in the UK , such as London have watched while they have lost out to destinations such as Paris and Rome that had decided to admit US tourists earlier.
The decision to reopen England and Scotland to EU tourists has been made easier since the EU bloc started issuing citizens with digital health passes from the start of this month. Opening up to double-vaccinated US travellers has been more complicated because the American system of proof is paper-based and organised at a state level. But government officials said they were confident that US travellers with an American passport and a paper certificate would provide the reassurance needed. In addition, airlines were expected to assist by checking passengers’ documentation at check-in.
Good news for the travel industry and good news for those who thought a European vacation was only going to be possible later in the year or in 2022
