UK is planning for vaccinated people in EU and US to skip quarantine

People who have been fully vaccinated in the UK will be able to travel to amber-list countries, such as France, from July 19 without the need to quarantine on return to the UK.

The announcement was made today (July 8) by UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The change applies to those returning to England only, but the other UK devolved governments are expected to adopt a similar measure.

Those with UK vaccination certificates will still be required to take a pre-departure Covid test in France before returning and another test on day two after arriving. They will not need to quarantine or take a second Covid test on day eight.

This rule will only initially apply to UK residents who have been vaccinated in the UK, as The Connexion reported.

UK passport holders not vaccinated in the UK will still have to quarantine for ten days on arrival if travelling to the UK from France, take a pre-departure Covid-19 test, and a further two tests on day two and eight of quarantine.

“The change I am announcing today will prioritise those vaccinated in the UK,” Mr Shapps said.

“However, we want to welcome international visitors back to the UK and are working to extend our approach to vaccinated passengers from important markets and holiday destinations later this summer, such as the US and the EU.”

People who want to benefit from the new rule will have to present their UK vaccination certificate to travel authorities, and also indicate on their passenger locator form that they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in the UK.

A person is considered fully vaccinated by UK authorities two weeks after their final vaccine injection.

The UK is set to review its traffic light travel rules around mid-July. The reviews take place approximately every three weeks, with the last one held on June 24.

France could be added to the UK’s green list on the next update.

If this is the case, then no one travelling from France to the UK will need to quarantine on arrival, and will only need a pre-departure Covid-19 test and then a second one on day two after arrival.

For travel from the UK to France, people in the UK who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can visit France for tourism or leisure reasons, as long as they have proof of a negative Covid-19 test. They do not need to quarantine on arrival.

People who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can only enter if they have an essential reason, most of which involve having the right to live or work in France. For people with an essential reason, they will need to self-isolate for seven days on arrival.

Read more:

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Covid-19: Rules for travel to and from France