It seems that travel rules are loosening step by step in England, with an announcement in parliament by Transport Minister Grant Shapps changing the rules for persons arriving from Amber List Countries.
Soon.
Fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations will no longer have to quarantine from 19 July.
They will, however, still need to pay for PCR tests before and after their return.
A fully vaccinated person has deemed a person who has had a full course of COVID-19 vaccination treatment and 14 days has passed since it was completed.
They would have also had to been vaccinated in the United Kingdom in this scenario.
At the moment, anyone returning from amber or red list countries must isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccine status.
For vaccinated travellers, this essentially makes the green and amber list the same, other than an extended testing requirement.
The Full Requirements
Fully vaccinated adults will need to:
- Take a pre-departure test before returning to the UK
- Take a day 2 test on or before day 2 after they arrive
- No longer need to quarantine.
- No need to take a day 8 test.
For those not fully vaccinated you returning from an Amber list country, they will have to:
- Take a pre-departure test before returning to the UK
- Take a day 2 test on or before day 2 after they arrive
- Quarantine for 10 days
- Take a day 8 test.
- You can be released earlier if you take a day 5 test and it’s negative via the “Test to Release programme”.
No information has been giving about non-UK Nationals who are entering the country from an Amber list destination. Hopefully, the UK can extend the same rules to visitors – allowing for inbound tourism and visitors.
Expect the joy of politics and logistics to delay that.
Going live on 04:00 19th July
The move goes into effect on the 04:00 19th of July – the date when a lot of the Coronavirus rules and laws are due to end. If you are returning to the UK before then, you will need to follow the current rules – ie, two tests and self-isolation at home/hotel.
It goes without saying, that a Green or Amber country could turn red at any time, and you will need to keep an eye on your travels. Especially if a country goes red, you will need to plan hotel quarantine time into your travels.
The UK government’s traffic light system for travel applies to England, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland able to make their own rules – again, it will be your responsiblity to check before you travek.
A lot of checking and tests still to do.
The planned loosening of the travel news will be music to the air of travel agents, airlines as well as travellers who seek to escape the shores of this sceptred isle.
Of course, planning to escape is but one part of the jigsaw. You’ll have to check if the county you wants to head to will allow you in, what quarantine and testing rules there are as well as monitoring the return requirements back to England.
For most of you, keeping an eye on the Goverment’s Travel Advice site could be a very good idea.
But for those who have been missing their loved ones, or those seeking an escape from the past 15 months… your time is coming.
Just remember to factor in the cost of testing required
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Well, almost but not going to work for me. I am a dual US/UK citizen and have residences in both (pay Council tax, own a home, etc.). I was hoping to avoid the £300+ tests, but my vaccinations (two Pfizer’s, thanks) were in the USA (in April), so…. I guess I’ll just wait.
I did travel to London in May and I won’t be in a rush to go through that again. Can’t be too careful, I know. Unless it’s football. of course 🙂