In a bid to open up travel further and encourage more citizens to get vaccinated, government officials are contemplating cutting quarantine out of the list of requirements for vaccinated travellers coming into the UK from amber list countries—like Portugal, France, and Spain.
Discover our latest podcast
Easing travel restrictions for fully vaccinated
At the moment, everyone returning to the UK from an amber listed country needs to self-isolate at home for ten days. They also need to get a PCR test before arrival, and on day two and eight of their quarantine. However, TheGuardian was recently informed that those who have gotten both their jabs might be able to follow green-light rules, which means no self-isolation. They will still have to go through the regulartesting procedures, which includes getting a PCR test before and after arriving in the UK.
This option will not be open to those who are not fully vaccinated. They will have to continue to follow all the current restrictions in place.
Although this information is yet to be confirmed, TheTelegraph reported that Health Secretary Matt Hancock is open to the idea. The financial secretary to the Treasury, Jesse Norman, also told Sky News that the government is definitely looking into the option. He said:
We don't want to get left behind by countries which may be adopting a two jabs approach if it can be done safely and if it can be done carefully and securely.
Delta variant
Norman says that the decision will not be taken lightly, especially since theDelta variant is voraciously spreading throughout the country. He added:
We are trying to move cautiously and progressively in the right direction, but we are in a situation where the virus is not something we control.
We have seen this new variant and therefore it would be imprudent to make any carte blanche or firm statement now.
The UK now has the highest number of daily COVID cases in Europe, with more than 90% reported to be the Delta variant. Given the recent developments, the EU is expected to exclude the country from their travel list once again to avoid the mutation from crossing into European borders.
