The UK has made positive strides in the past two years since the coronavirus, also known as COVID19, began to threaten the world, resulting in a major change in the UK’s quarantine rules. Travelers from the United States and Europe will no longer be required to go through quarantine if they are traveling within the country and the government is no longer imposing self-quarantine to fully vaccinated individuals.
UK transport secretary Grant Shapps announced these new rules, together with counting an individual as fully vaccinated after 14 days of receiving their final dose. This change in quarantine rules has been applied to UK Residents who were already vaccinated before they have travelled, those who are returning to England from the United States and other European countries, specifically from the amber list.
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, has stated that tourists and business travelers who have had two doses of vaccine are now permitted to travel to countries on the amber list. However, they will need to complete a 10-day self-isolation when returning to the UK.
Older quarantine requirements are still in place for those from countries that are on the red list, which means they must still go through the stricter process of undergoing a rigorous examination to get in. The rules have been in implementation for quite some time now, but changes are taking place now, and the new ones have come into effect since July 19 this year. The UK has been following their previous protocol named “traffic light” that was introduced in May. The said system held travelling requirements and has classified countries under red, amber and green categories, dependent on the COVID-19 risk level per each. The UK is still following these rulings.
The UK is currently the only country that maintains travel bans. It is mandatory to stay in a hotel for 10 days after arriving from a red-listed country. This is the only way to avoid the quarantine rules. Fortunately, the rules are regularly updated, and are available online. This allows you to keep an eye on the current restrictions and update your plans accordingly. You can also follow the latest news by following the UK Quarantine Rules on Twitter.
The new UK quarantine rules also make travel easier for many people. Instead of spending weeks awaiting their turn in the UK, you can now enter the country with just a few clicks. This means that you won’t have to worry about being turned down by customs. Moreover, you won’t have to use public transport anymore. And you can even use public transport. You can even opt to stay in a hotel in the UK if you’re not staying longer than ten days.
In July 19, 2021, quarantine rules were changed. This includes the removal of any other restrictions such as social distancing and mask laws. The UK’s new health measures are designed to assist popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Greece, and Italy in the coming season. The UK government is trying to promote international travel that offers safe and sustainable returns. The UK has been less strict over the last few months, but they still require travelers from countries on the amber or green lists to pass tests. To determine if travelers are safe to fly in the face of the COVID-19 threat, a rapid antigen Coronavirus test must be done 72 hours prior to departure. A PCR test can then be performed on the second day following the return of travelers. The eighth day test is no longer required. These changes will be applied to the following countries.
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Italy
- Japan
- Luxemburg
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Russia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- US
Included in UK’s protocol is filling out a passenger locator form before you arrive. This form must provide details of where you’re traveling from. You’ll be given a 10-day quarantine in an amber-list country. If you are coming from a red-list country, you will have to stay in a government-approved hotel for 10 days before you can enter the country. If you don’t have a passport, you’ll have to take a Covid test before you leave.
There are many exemptions from the UK’s quarantine rules. You can still get into the country without a visa, but you will need to stay there for a minimum of 10 days. But if you’re fully vaccinated, you won’t be forced to take a test for Coronavirus. This is a good thing for you. This rule makes traveling to the UK more convenient and affordable. However, the new regulations will affect your industry and your travel.
Another rule is that you must quarantine for two weeks before you can travel. If you’re traveling from France, you’ll have to be fully vaccinated for two weeks. For your own safety, you’ll have to show a fit to fly certificate before boarding and provide contact information at arrival. You’ll also have to self-isolate for 14 days. The list is long, but it’s a good thing because you can stay in the UK while quarantining.
International travelers can enter the country from a high-risk country after they’ve received a British passport. Those who reside in the UK will need to fill out the Public Health Passenger Locator Form. It will be required to stay at a hotel for the next 14 days. You’ll need to wear a face covering when traveling outside of the country.
As a result of the changes, UK residents must spend at least 14 days outside the country if they’re visiting the country from a red-list destination. Those who are not allowed to travel from countries on the red list are still required to purchase a quarantine package. The quarantine package covers food and drinks for the first 10 days and also provides them with an extended stay. If they’re traveling for a longer period, it’s wise to take precautions before entering the country.
The UK has also passed an emergency directive to prevent the spread of the virus in the country. The new rules will be effective, but the UK Quarantine Rules will remain in effect for a year. There’s no way to prevent the spread of the virus, so it is a good idea to keep these rules in mind.
If you want to learn more about the new quarantine rules for vaccinated travelers in the UK after lifting the previous ones, read the infographic below from Harley Medic International.
