The global pandemic is nearly reaching its second year but some countries’ situation is already getting better. UK transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced that the government stopped imposing self-quarantine to fully vaccinated individuals. 14 days after receiving the final dose, any individual is also counted as fully vaccinated according to the government.
This change in quarantine protocols has been applied to UK residents who were vaccinated before travelling, those who are returning to England from the UK and other European countries, especially from the amber list. While non-residents and UK expatriates who are fully vaccinated will still need to so self-quarantine.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson also confirmed that tourists and business travelers who already received two doses of vaccination are also allowed to travel to amber list countries without self-isolating for 10 days in their return to the UK.
In May 2021, the UK introduced the “traffic light” system and was followed by travelers. This system holds traveling requirements as well as classifies other countries as red, amber, and green, depending on the risk of COVID-19 per each. Most countries are under the amber category, like the US and other parts of Europe where travelers from these countries were required to have 3 COVID-19 tests alongside 10 days home quarantine.
The changes in quarantine rules have started on July 19 this year, including the removal of other restrictions for the corona virus-like social distancing and mask laws. UK’s new health measure aims to help facilitate the upcoming holidays to popular destinations like Spain, Greece, Italy, etc. The government also eyes to achieve safe, sustainable returns to international travel. Still, travelers, even the vaccinated ones who arrive from countries in the amber list must undergo UK’s current testing requirements, as well as those who are entering the UK from green list places. The rapid antigen test must be taken as a health requirement, 72 hours before departure, and a PCR test on the second day following the return. Test on the eighth day is no longer needed. This change has been 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
Travelers who wish to return to England must: 1.) take a COVID-19 test and show a negative result, 2.) book for a day 2 test after arrival, 3.) submit a passenger locator form anytime but within 48 hours before arriving in the UK, which is a requirement to be shown upon checking in to the travel or boarding the plane, train or ferry in the UK.
Taking the coronavirus test may be a private matter for some travelers, Harley Medic International is a government-approved and trusted testing provider that offers to test for traveling. This institution has multiple locations all over the UK that ensures anyone a testing center is near them.
To know more about the differences between the days 2 and 8 test, and other UK quarantine rule changes, you can read the infographic from Harley Medic International.
