TRAVEL NEWS: Double-jabbed travellers from US & EU can enter England without quarantine

The UK government has confirmed that from 4 am on Monday 2nd August, travellers from the US and EU who have been fully vaccinated and can prove it, will be able to travel to England, Scotland and Wales without having to quarantine.

“Whether you’re a family or a business, this is progress we can all enjoy.”

Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, confirmed today that this new freedom applies to travellers arriving from amber countries. The changes will apply to fully vaccinated people with an FDA (Food and Drug Association) or EMA (European Medicines Agency) vaccine.

However, travellers will still need to do the usual pre-departure test before arrival and take a PCR test on day 2 of returning to England. 

We’re helping reunite people living in the US and European countries with their family and friends in the UK 👪

From 2nd August at 4am people from these countries will be able to come to the England from an amber country without having to quarantine if they’re fully vaxxed 💉

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 28, 2021

The status of France, which is currently on the amber plus list, will be reviewed next week.

There is no word yet about a reciprocal removal of restrictions for travel for British citizens to the US. US President Joe Biden does not seem to be in any hurry. Shapps conceded “we cannot change their rules” but there is some expectation this will happen soon.

On international cruising, which has been banned by the UK government for over a year, the transport secretary tweeted:

We’re also able to confirm the restart of international cruises🚢and flexible testing programmes to help key workers and drive our economic recovery.

Whether you’re a family or a business, this is progress we can all enjoy.

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 28, 2021

This is a huge boost for almost two million Brits who go on a cruise each year.