We’re all going on a summer holiday
People with both their coronavirus vaccines will not need to quarantine after entering England from a country on the amber list.
From July 19 UK residents will be required to take PCR tests prior to departure and also on return but will not need to isolate – if they are fully vaccinated.
The change in rules also applies to children under the age of 18.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the new procedure in parliament today.
TRAVEL UPDATE: From MONDAY 19 JULY 4am #British fully vaccinated adults will not need to isolate from amber list countries 🚦 including those on clinical trials – another step to fully reopening international travel. Children under 18 will not need to self-isolate.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 8, 2021
Shapps said children between the ages of five and 10 will only have to take a test on the second day of their return, and children aged four and under are exempt from all testing and isolation requirements – as before.
Those vaccinated by clinical trial will also not have to quarantine on arrival in England.
This means there is no distinction between green and amber list countries for the vaccinated.
Once 14 days have passed since an individual’s final dose of vaccine they are fully vaccinated, in the view of the government.
Shapps said: “I can confirm today from July 19 UK residents who are fully vaccinated through the UK vaccine rollout will no longer have to self-isolate when they return to England.”
Many will see the news as the return of summer holidays, but for some it’s the opportunity to be reunited with family they may not have seen since the beginning of lockdowns some 15 months ago.
