Quarantine rules ditched for fully-vaccinated travellers from EU and US

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Fully-vaccinated travellers from the EU and US are set to be spared quarantine after ministers signed off an exemption today.  

The powerful ‘Covid O’ group is understood to have agreed that the self-isolation requirements can be dropped for some of the UK’s major trading partners.

Ex-pats who have received jabs abroad are also set to benefit from the dispensation, which takes effect from 4am Monday. 

All will still need to get tests in a bid to reduce the risk that they are infected.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘We’ve taken great strides on our journey to reopen international travel and today is another important step forward. Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade – this is progress we can all enjoy.

‘We will of course continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but thanks to our world-leading domestic vaccination programme, we’re able to look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours.’

However, there is no reciprocal arrangement with the US, which still has an almost blanket ban on Britons visiting.  

Boris Johnson had privately voiced concerns the EU was further ahead in welcoming international travellers and the UK risked ‘squandering its vaccine bonus’.

The decision was hailed by airlines, who said it was the ‘biggest step forward’ since the lockdown easing on May 17.

It applies to England, but there is an expectation that Scotland and Wales will follow suit. The government said it is working on international vaccine certification that could help expats in other countries except the EU and US. 

Labour has branded the approach ‘reckless’, warning it risks importing more variants. 

The boost for tourism and businesses comes amid a wave of optimism after coronavirus cases tumbled for a seventh day running – with ministers privately claiming the crisis is now ‘all over bar the shouting’. 

The get-out from quarantine does not apply to France, which is ‘amber plus’ at the moment amid alarm about the Beta strain. But Whitehall sources are increasingly confident that it will be downgraded to ‘amber’ when the categories are reviewed next week.  

Meanwhile, holidaymakers could face fresh chaos amid claims Spain is on the verge of being pushed up to the ‘amber plus’ list.

The move – which could leave hundreds of thousands of Britons having to self-isolate unexpectedly on return – is believed to be on the cards amid growing concern about cases of the South African variant.  

On the domestic front, Mr Johnson said this morning that dropping self-isolation rules for people who are ‘pinged’ is ‘nailed on’ for August 16. But he is defying furious Tory demands for the date to be brought forward, amid warnings from businesses of food shortages caused by so many staff being off. 

As the country waits anxiously for the next phase of the pandemic: 

• Scotland’s Covid hospitalisations are now falling in line with cases, according to official data which raises hopes that England could soon follow suit; 
• Boris Johnson has slapped down Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove for branding vaccine refusers ‘selfish’ and warning they could be barred from venues;
• The Department of Health admitted daily testing was just as effective as self-isolation;
• The International Monetary Fund upgraded its forecasts to predict the UK economy would bounce back with 7 per cent growth this year; 
• Leaked Covid hospitalisation figures suggested almost half of patients tested positive only after being admitted;
• A further 131 virus-related deaths were reported yesterday – the highest figure since March – while Covid patients in hospital rose to 5,918.

The UK economy is estimated to be losing as much as £639million every day because of the current limits in place on incoming tourists.

After the fully-vaccinated EU and US travellers, other countries could be added to the quarantine-free travel list at a later date.

Since July 19, double jabbed Britons have been able to travel to and from amber list countries without quarantining upon their return, but the same right was not extended to those who received jabs abroad.

Under the plan, airlines will be expected to approve passengers’ vaccine status before check-in for England-bound flights, to prevent huge queues at passport control.

A trial was carried out by Heathrow, BA and Virgin which found they could overcome 99 per cent of the difficulties in verifying the vaccination status of travellers from the US.

Different states have different paper and digital certificates, but airports and airlines are hoping for the new rules to be smoothly adopted.

Ministers also approved plans to allow all double vaccinated expats to travel to the UK from amber list countries without the need to quarantine.

Only Britons vaccinated by the NHS are currently exempt from quarantine. 

Dale Keller, chief executive of the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) UK said ‘The recognition of fully vaccinated passengers from the EU and USA is the biggest step towards rebuilding the international travel sector since the limited lifting of restrictions on 17 May. 

‘This significant reopening must lead the way so that many other low risk countries with well-developed vaccination programmes can be added at the earliest opportunity without waiting until the October review. 

‘Meanwhile, the country review due next week should include a revision to the methodology of how countries are allocated as Red, Amber or Green and the data indicates more countries should move into Green and with fewer countries classified as Red. 

‘From August passengers will still have a confusing patchwork of requirements to navigate, including excessive and costly testing, but today’s announcement will go a long way towards reconnecting families and supporting the UK economy and jobs.’

Travellers who transit through certain red country hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi could also avoid hotel quarantine if they remain airside during their connections, according to The Telegraph.

However, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner condemned the plans for quarantine exemptions. 

‘We’ve got real concerns because there doesn’t seem to be a system in place yet for an international vaccine passport which the Government said that they were going to bring forward.

‘Each individual US state does things differently.

‘They don’t have a National Health Service that has a vaccine programme like we do with the certifications.

‘So we’re really concerned about making sure that new variants do not come into the UK and that we do have a system that identifies where we have variants of Covid where infection is and we’re able to isolate it.

‘Because, if we don’t, we risk going backwards again and our economy will suffer as a result of that. And we saw that with the Delta variant that came into the country.’

Passengers at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 today welcomed news on the EU and US exemptions.

Akilla Gaziza, 50, a teacher for children with special needs from Kew Bridge, West London, said: ‘I’m going to Portugal with my 11-year-old daughter for a week to relax and get some sun. 

‘I think it’s fantastic news because I like my freedom and it’s a real sense of liberty. 

‘Before it was very stressful because there were too many rules and regulations. 

‘When you came through passport control you felt like a convict. 

‘Now, you just download the NHS app and it shows I’ve been double jabbed. ‘The only thing they have to work on is getting the app on Android.’ 

Ollie, a 29-year-old researcher, said: ‘I’m visiting my cousin and aunt in Portugal for 10 days. ‘I’ve been double vaccinated so I think it’s a good thing. 

‘I actually went to a walk-in centre to get my second vaccine early. 

‘I wouldn’t want us to get rid of all the restrictions, but waving goodbye to quarantine is a relief. 

‘I’ve not been able to see my family in over year and it’s been tough. 

‘There always going to be an issue with whose last in the queue with these things. 

‘I think people who chose not to get the jab can always reconsider if they want to avoid quarantining.’  

Pressure to change Spain’s designation follows concern about the Beta variant, which emerged in South Africa and is thought to be more resistant to the AstraZeneca vaccine given to millions in the UK. 

A Whitehall source said: ‘The situation in Spain is beginning to feel a lot like the build-up to the decision on France.

‘The Department of Health are getting very jumpy about the number of Beta cases in parts of the country. 

‘We’re not talking about the main tourist hotspots, but that might not make any difference – it didn’t with France.’

The shock move to place France in its own category earlier this month wrecked thousands of families’ holidays as well as the plans of many expats hoping to see loved ones for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Cases of the Delta variant have fallen sharply in France in recent weeks and ministers are confident it will be restored to the same status as other amber list countries, meaning fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to quarantine when they return.

One source said: ‘France is going to happen. It should never have been left out in the first place – the Department of Health just panicked. But there could be no justification for keeping restrictions in place now.’

Any move to put Spain on the ‘amber plus’ list is likely to provoke a fierce row within Government. 

Although there is concern about the Beta variant, many experts believe it is being ‘crowded out’ by the more virulent Delta variant now spreading rapidly across Spain.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline: ‘I think that this whole travel situation is a mess with no consistent approach and lots of mixed messages.

‘By what criteria are these decisions about amber-plus countries being made? Spain has had higher levels of the beta variant for some time so placing it on the amber-plus list now feels a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!

‘Much better to keep the before and after testing regime approach with proof of full vaccination.’

Defiant Brits heading from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 for Spain today vowed the changes ‘won’t stop us going on holiday’.

Laura Morrison, a 44-year-old teacher from Richmond, south west London, who was taking her family to Lanzarote for two weeks, said: ‘It’s our first holiday of the year and it’s been really stressful, especially getting all the tests and stuff for my two daughters.

‘I know it’s risky taking a holiday, because if Spain gets put on the amber-plus list my husband would have to take a test to release for work.

‘But the children have been stuck inside for months and, although we’re not made of money, we all need to get away and relax.

‘The whole traffic light system is just confusing: they should just leave it as red, amber and green.

‘I think it’s really a money-maker for the Government. The tests should be free and people should not be penalised for going on holiday.’

Melissa Garcia, 27, a student from London, turned up at Heathrow to jet off on holiday with her firends, but wasn’t allowed to fly because she only had her second Covid jab last week.

She said: ‘I’m studying in London and was suppose to fly to Madrid today for a holiday with my friends, but because I only got my second jab last week, I can’t go.

‘So British Airways booked me on a flight next week free of charge, but my friends won’t be there anymore.

‘If they put Spain on the amber-plus list then I’ll have to quarantine when I get back, but I would rather that than cancel my holiday.

‘They should make it a different colour because I think it would be easier to understand.

‘It’s really confusing having an amber-plus list.’

Arthur, 18, who recently finished school, said: ‘I’m visiting some family friends in Ibiza for about five days.

‘My travels are pretty much done after this trip, but I can understand why people are getting frustrated.

‘If Spain gets put on the amber plus list and I have to quarantine, I would be annoyed.

‘I wouldn’t want to waste two weeks of my summer, so I would look at just going somewhere else like France or Portugal.’

Another passenger, also travelling to Lanzarote from Heathrow Terminal 5, said: ‘It is what it is really. If you’ve decided to go away you’ve weighed up your risk already, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s amber or amber plus.

‘With all tests you have to pay for and paper work to fill out, I think most people will have weighed up the risks before travelling.’

Boris says scrapping self-isolation for the double-jabbed on August 16 is ‘nailed on’ but ministers warn the date WON’T be brought forward despite claims Covid is ‘all over bar the shouting’  

Boris Johnson today insisted scrapping self-isolation rules for the double jabbed is ‘nailed on’ for August 16 as he hailed ‘encouraging’ data on infections.

The PM hailed the seven-day run of cases falling in the UK, but stressed it is ‘far too early to draw any general conclusions’ – despite Tory claims the pandemic is now ‘all over bar the shouting’.

Pressed during an interview with LBC radio over the schedule for exempting vaccinated individuals who have been in contact with a positive case, Mr Johnson said: ‘August 16 is nailed on – there has never been any question of a review date for August 16.’

However, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey dismissed calls from ‘pingdemic’-hit businesses for the timetable to be brought foward, saying there was ‘strong medical advice’ for delay.

Daily virus cases are now barely half the level seen just a week ago after a dramatic series of falls.

One senior minister told the Mail that the vaccination programme, coupled with more than 5.7million infections, meant the virus was struggling to find new hosts and herd immunity had effectively been reached. 

Mr Johnson said this morning: ‘We have seen some encouraging recent data. There is no question about that. 

‘But it is far, far too early to draw any general conclusions.’  

SAGE adviser warns Covid ISN’T all over ‘quite yet’ and says seven days of falling cases could be down to people being unwilling to get tested ahead of their summer holidays 

Covid cases in the UK may only be dropping because people aren’t wanting to get tested before going on their summer holidays, one of the Government’s scientific advisers said today. 

Infections across the country have been dipping for seven days, reaching 23,5111 yesterday — barely half the level seen just a week ago.

A senior minister last night claimed the coronavirus’s grip on the UK is ‘all over bar the shouting’.

But SAGE adviser Professor Mike Tildesley warned the pandemic isn’t all over ‘quite yet’, and warned the effects of ‘Freedom Day’ are still yet to be seen in the data.

And Boris Johnson today said it was ‘too early’ to draw conclusions about the fall in the number of people testing positive for the virus.

Scientists say temporary factors like schools closing, last week’s hot weather and the end of the Euros effect could be behind the decline.

Professor Tildesley, an infectious disease modeller at the University of Warwick, said the falls could also have occurred because people are less willing to get a test ahead of summer holidays. Testing has fallen by 14 per cent in the last week, compared to cases which have dropped by 31 per cent in the same time.

Asked about the decline, he told Times Radio: ‘Because schools in England closed last week, we haven’t got secondary school pupils doing regular lateral flow testing and so we’re not necessarily detecting as many cases in younger people.

‘It’s also been suggested by some that, possibly, because of a high number of cases, because of the summer holidays approaching, people might be less willing to ‘step up’ to testing when they have symptoms.

‘What we really need to do is monitor hospital admissions, because at the moment of course they’re still going up — now, of course there is a lag when cases go down, it always takes a couple of weeks before hospital admissions turn around.

‘But if we start to see hospital admissions going down as well then I think we would have much stronger evidence to suggest this third wave is starting to turn around.’