Big travel news this afternoon, with Grant Shapps announcing via Twitter that Vaccinated Travellers from The United States of America and The European Union, will be able to enter the country, without needing to quarantine.
His exact Tweets:
The changes will apply to fully vaxxed people with an FDA or EMA vaccine 💉 – they’ll still need to do the usual pre-departure test before arrival and take a PCR test on day 2 of returning to the England.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 28, 2021
From 4 am 2 August 2021, passengers who are fully vaccinated in the EU with vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or in the USA with vaccines authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or in the Swiss vaccination programme, will be able to travel to England without having to quarantine or take a day 8 test on arrival.
What will I need to do to enter England?
Arrivals will still be required to complete:
- A pre-departure COVID test
- A Passenger Locator Form
- A PCR test completed on or before day 2 after arrival
Providing you are vaccinated and meet these requirements, you will not need to isolate. Those who have not completed a vaccination course of treatment will have to follow the isolation requirements, meaning the following will be needed:
- A pre-departure test
- A Passenger Locator Form
- A PCR test completed on or before day 2 after arrival
- Self-Isolation for 10 days, with early release possible using “Test to Release“
- A Day 8 PCR Test
Separate rules will continue to apply for those arriving from France. Those vaccinated in the US will also need to provide proof of US residency.
International Cruising to Resume
For those who like to spend time on a ship, the UK Government is to allowing international cruise sailings to restart from England in line with Public Health England guidance. This follows monitoring of Domestic cruises during this year.
International cruise travel advice will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad.
To further support the safe restart of international cruise travel, the government and cruise industry have signed a breakthrough memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help the industry build back from COVID-19 while protecting British nationals from future pandemic-related disruption.
According to the government, all measures announced today will be kept under review and be guided by the latest data.
In Quotes
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
We’ve taken great strides on our journey to reopen international travel and today is another important step forward. 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.
We will of course 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.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:
Our vaccination programme is building a wall of defence against this virus so we can safely enjoy our freedoms again, with 7 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.
We are also relaxing the testing requirements for certain critical workers, who by the nature of their work do not mix with the public or leave their vehicles helping free up running times by removing undue burdens.
Meanwhile, the US goes… Delta variant – no entry for you…
Sadly, the move by England isn’t being reciprocated by the USA for now, who have citied due to Delta variant concerns, they are still keeping their borders closed to visitors who have not been via a third-country first for 14 days.
This is fine if you want to spend an extra 14 days in Mexico first, then travelling to the USA. However, if you are time and resource-limited, it’s an extra travel burden (as well as cost).
The ball now is stuck in the USA’s court. If it wants to open up to vaccinated outsiders… or not.
Fill those seats
With the tourism industry happy (apart from wanting more countries migrated to the Green List), it’s a chance to fill those empty seats from Europe and the USA into England, with happy people who wish to travel, conduct business in person or meet in person.
For those who wish to come to England to visit – it’s almost time to fly.
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