Fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and US could avoid quarantine in the UK

Cabinet ministers could bring some good news to eager tourists this week on the confirmation of fully vaccinated travellers being able to avoid quarantine on return back to the UK.

The Government’s COVID Operations Committee are discussing plans alongside senior cabinet ministers, with hopes to allow people heading into the UK from the US and EU with both jabs to escape the 10-day quarantine.

Read this next: Ibiza placed back on amber travel list

Current regulations were adopted on July 19 after the final stage in the roadmap to reopening the UK after the pandemic. The change saw all fully vaccinated UK citizens eligible to return from amber list countries without having to quarantine.

The newly discussed regulations will allow for those vaccinated elsewhere - from EU countries and the United States, to enter with the same relaxed rules.

Read this next: Petition calling for visa-free EU travel for touring artists hits 222,000 signatures

Travellers must still take two PCR tests on their return, one on day two and one on day eight. Both tests cost and are a government requirement.

Travel expert Simon Calder told BBC, “At the moment we're in this slightly ridiculous situation where if I'm on a plane from Spain, because I'm lucky enough to have had two jabs, once we get to the UK I just wander off, no problem.

Read this next: Travel bosses criticise green list expansion as "not ambitious enough"

"But the person sitting next to me, who happens to have had their vaccinations in Spain, not in the UK, has to go and sit in a room for 10 days. Doesn't make sense."

The Covid Operations committee were due to meet on Wednesday to discuss further plans. On Saturday, July 31, border rules will be reassessed and the government will announce the details of the review.

The government will be making the decision based on favourable benefits from the tourism sector. According to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, a decision will be made on the new regulations in the coming days.

[Via BBC]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter