Simon Calder on travel restrictions for vaccinated people

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Fully vaccinated Britons could be exempt from self-isolation when coming back from an amber list destination as the Government is considering alternative options.

The Prime Minister said: “When it comes to travel we will certainly be looking at that, but I stress that this is going to be whatever happens this is going to be a difficult year for travel.”

“There will be hassle, there will be delays, I am afraid, because the priority has got to be to keep the country safe and stop the virus coming back in,” he said.

The Government is reviewing current restrictions and considering options when it comes to international travel.

NHS Test and Trace analysis revealed that less than one in 200 travellers who entered the UK from amber list countries between May 20 and June 9 tested positive for coronavirus.

At the moment, people returning from green list countries are not required to quarantine.

However, and after the removal of Portugal from the green list, there are no major holiday destinations available for Britons to go without restrictions.

When coming back from amber list countries, at least three COVID-19 tests have to be taken and a 10 day mandatory quarantine.

The traffic light system is reviewed every 3 weeks, with the next travel list review due to take place this week (June 24).

However, the Prime Minister warned people should expect “travel hassle and delays this summer.”

“I want to stress that this is going to be – whatever happens – a difficult year for travel.

“There will be hassle, there will be delays, I am afraid, because the priority has got to be to keep the country safe and stop the virus coming back in.”

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Ministers had previously said that travel restrictions may be relaxed for double-vaccinated travellers this summer.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told the BBC that ending post-travel quarantine is “still developing” but heading in the right direction.

“It looks great, it looks really encouraging, we’re trying to be as flexible as we can,” he said.

CEO of Thomas Cook, Alan French, commented on the Government considering easing restrictions for vaccinated travellers

“We’ve long argued that the Government should take into account people’s vaccination status when it designed the current traffic light system.

“So it’s great to see that this is going to happen hopefully in time for the summer holidays.”

“With around half the population double-jabbed we would encourage the Government to introduce these new measures as soon as possible to give families confidence and certainty that they can get away this summer for some much-needed weeks in the sun,” he added.

UK airlines have been calling for Britain to remove Covid testing and isolation requirements for vaccinated travellers, in order to help tourism recover.

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