Fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber list countries such as Greece will no longer have to quarantine from 19 July. They will, however, still need to pay for PCR tests before and after their return, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Thursday.
The measure affects fully vaccinated British adults, while children under 18 will not need to self-isolate, Shapps said on Twitter:
“From July 19 fully vaccinated British 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.”
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
The measure does not seem to affect Brits vaccinated in another country, as the Secretary said that “only vaccines given by the NHS will count”
According to BBC, travel industry leaders said the change was a “positive step” but called for the amber list to be expanded.
Currently, anyone returning from amber or red list countries must isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccine status.
Shapps said a full vaccination means “14 days have passed since your final dose of the vaccine” – and only vaccines given by the NHS will count.
“In essence, this means that for fully vaccinated travellers the requirements for green and amber list countries are the same,” he added.
Both Scotland and Wales have said they will consider whether to follow this latest rule change.
The transport secretary went on to say that, from 19 July – which is also the day when most Covid rules in England are due to end – the guidance that people should not travel to amber list countries will be removed.
But he cautioned “an amber list country could still turn red”, meaning hotel quarantine would become a requirement.
All of England’s 19 July rule changes are due to be confirmed on 12 July after a review of the latest data.
Most travel destinations for Brits – including several holiday hotspots such as mainland Spain, Greece and the US – are on the amber list, which – at present – requires people to quarantine for 10 days and pay for tests.
Many Greek media hailed the decision to drop the quarantine entitling their posts with a “breath for Greek tourism.”
Tags "amber list" drop England Greece July 19 quarantine Shapps UK
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The way things are going people travelling FROM England INTO Greece should be quarantined – 32,500 new cases on 07/07 & it’s OK to encourage tourists from there into a country that has a vaccination rate of 47.5%? The UK is at 68.5% with a hugely superior health system & their scientists are warning thousands could die when restrictions are lifted, WHAT could be the result of allowing mass tourism into Greece where restrictions have already been eased & case numbers have risen rapidly in the last week, & the public are ignoring mask wearing & distancing?
Come on guys, this is CRAZY – I am desperate to travel & have friends & family visit, but at what cost?
If you do not want to travel, do not travel. It is your choice.
We tried lockdowns, we tried mass vaccination, at some point it has to stop.
Freedom from fascism has some cost.
Yes, we tried lockdowns & mass vaccinations – & the numbers went down. Lockdown & restrictions are eased, the vaccination drive is flagging, mass tourism is encouraged & the numbers rocket. Pretty clear what works isn’t it?
Well it clearly did not stopped the virus.
If you think, we can keep lockdown forever, you are sociopathic fascist!
A large proportion of the islands are 100% vaccinated – certainly the smaller islands are. As this is where the majority of the tourism is then this is less of a problem.
Plus, tested before you travel – what is the problem?
Fully vaccinated do not need a test to leave the uk, only to return
This is a positive move but most travel insurance is invalid for amber countries. As insurance companies will not cover you against Foreign Office advice and any amber countries are currently only allowed for essential trips not holidays. Let’s hope that the UK puts Greece onto the green list soon, otherwise there is still a barrier for travellers.
British exceptionalism once again… “Only vaccines given by the NHS”
What is wrong with these people?
the Brexit
It is a bit odd, though. My parents are both British citizens living in Greece. My mum has been spending time in the UK with her mother, so got the vaccine in the UK. My dad got exactly the same vaccine in Greece. If they travelled to the UK my dad would have to quarantine, but my mum wouldn’t!