The UK Government are looking to scrap the self-isolation requirement for travellers returning from an amber list countries by the end of this month, according to a report in The Times newspaper. The plans would allow those who have had two doses of a vaccine to avoid the mandatory 10-day self-isolation period, which is currently in place for all amber list countries, essentially opening up travel to all of Europe.
At first the relaxation would only apply to UK residents with access to the NHS, but a deal to extend it to all citizens of the European Union and Brits living abroad is close to being agreed, as UK ambassadors in Europe have been told to make lobbying for the lifting of restrictions on British holidaymakers their priority as the green list is expanded again this month.
The UK government is looking to replace the quarantine requirement with daily Covid-19 testing instead, although this has not been clinically advised or confirmed as yet, and the Home Office has not yet said whether the verification of Covid certification will take place before passengers travel, at border control, or via spot checks by officials.
Vision Box, the company that operates all of the UK’s e-passport gates, has said it has the technology to scan vaccination certificates from both the UK and the EU ready to go.
The UK is said to be close to agreeing to a deal with Brussels which will ensure UK travellers are able to use the NHS app to prove they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, but at the moment, the UK government is having to co-ordinate with countries individually.
The appointment of Sajid Javid as the new Health Secretary has brought the target date for introducing quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated Brits forward, according to government sources, with ministers hoping he will make a big change to the government’s approach to international travel.
A senior government source told The Times: “No final decision has been made on timing yet. There are various issues that need to be worked through and we are waiting for public health advice on exemptions and operational factors. Those need to be worked through before we set out further details but the expectation is it will be introduced by the end of July or the beginning of August.”
Covid-19 vaccination status is recorded on the main NHS app and now shows proof if people have had the jabs. Six million people have already downloaded the app and it is expected that Brits will need to use it to show proof they have been vaccinated when entering other countries.
