Fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations will no longer have to quarantine starting from 19 July.
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said that the government would not accept any proof of vaccination apart from the NHS app or certificate.
The move is likely to cause a significant backlash from UK citizens living abroad who have been vaccinated in their countries of residence, often with the same vaccines as used by the NHS.
Grant Shapps also said that under-18s returning from amber list places would also be exempt from quarantine.
The change will potentially open up travel to 140 amber list countries, including the majority of tourist destinations, though some countries impose strict limits on UK travellers and even those that allow quarantine-free travel may require significant paperwork or negative tests.
Travellers will still have to take pre-departure tests and will be required to take a PCR test on day two of their return but will no longer need to take a day eight test. It will mean the requirements for green and amber list countries are the same for fully vaccinated people.
The government will count full vaccination as meaning 14 days having passed since the final dose of a vaccine.
Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound, a leading travel trade association, said, “Whilst this may be welcome news for Brits travelling overseas this summer, this decision does nothing for the UK’s inbound visitor economy. By keeping Britain closed, we are losing £70m a day in exports, businesses are on the brink, our cities remain empty and viable businesses are prevented from even beginning their recovery.
“As we approach the 19th, our inbound visitor economy remains neglected and forgotten by the Government, far from talk of freedom this decision risks being the final nail in the coffin for an industry that will be vital to our national recovery. The UK’s fifth largest export sector is dying on its knees, and the government must provide more support, including furlough extension and targeted grants, whilst rapidly implementing vaccination certification reciprocity for inbound, as it has done for outbound.”
Timothy Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of Butter, the UK’s only Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) travel agency,, commented, “The announcement will be warmly welcomed by a travel and tourism industry that has been brought to its knees during the pandemic.
The need to quarantine and the uncertainty around green and amber list destinations, in particular, has deterred many Brits from looking abroad for their holiday this summer. However, the government’s decision to relax these rules for those who have had both of their vaccine jabs should now spur a late flurry of bookings and bring a much needed boost to the industry.”
Hotel booking platform – hoo Co-founder, Adrian Murdock, commented, “It’s great to see some real intent by the government to help revive what has arguably been one of the worst hit sectors during the pandemic.
Of course, it’s important to remember that a number of rules and requirements remain in place and so those considering a holiday abroad this summer need to ensure they adhere to these in order to travel.”
