Children and fully vaccinated adults from the UK will not have to quarantine on their return to England from amber list countries from July 19th.
The UK's transport secretary Grant Shapps detailed his plans to MPs on Thursday to free up foreign holidays as Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Mr Shapps confirmed holidaymakers from the UK who have received two jabs will no longer be required to self-isolate for 10 days on their return to England from destinations on the amber list.
While the announcement is for UK residents only, Mr Shapps said ministers are “working to extend our approach to vaccinated passengers from important markets of holiday destinations later this summer such as the United States and the EU”.
Today's news that fully jabbed UK residents won't have to quarantine on return from amber countries is a positive move towards the genuine reopening the sector has been looking for. Next must be more countries going green, and removing onerous testing. https://t.co/MN4WQXoOlt
Advertisement— Airlines UK (@airlines_UK) July 8, 2021
Countries have been added to the amber list due to the risk posed by increased incidence of Covid cases/variants there, and currently includes countries such as Canada, and a number of EU countries, including France and Spain.
The advice not to travel to these countries will be lifted on July 19th when the majority of restrictions are expected to be eased in England.
Mr Shapps said people returning from holidays from amber destinations will still be required to take a Covid-19 test three days before returning.
They will also have to take a test on or before the second day of their return, but will be exempted from the day eight test.
He told the Commons: “In essence, this means that for fully vaccinated travellers the requirements for green and amber list countries are the same.”
Airlines welcomed the changes, which the transport secretary said “may differ” in Scotland, Wales and the North.
Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye said: “This is excellent news that will give a much-needed boost to millions of people across Britain looking forward to a more normal summer and reuniting with family and friends abroad.”
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of the Airlines UK industry body, welcomed the announcement as a “positive move towards the genuine reopening” for the ailing sector.
“The summer season essentially starts here,” he added.
