A government official has given a boost to the hope that fully vaccinated travellers returning from an amber country will no longer need to quarantine. This could start in time for the busy school holiday period. Travellers will still have to take a COVID test.
There is also a strong possibility that the NHS app could be recognised as a Covid vaccination passport across the EU. The UK is close to agreeing to a deal with Brussels so that British holidaymakers can use the NHS app to prove they have been double-jabbed and have proof of additional Covid test status for those countries that want it. At the same time, the UK would recognise the EU’s digital green card.
A government spokesperson said:
“No final decision has been made on timing yet. There are various issues that need to be worked through and we are waiting for public health advice
on exemptions and operational factors.
“Those need to be worked through before we set out further details but the expectation is it will be the end of July or the beginning of August.”
When asked about reports that fully vaccinated people may be able to travel quarantine-free from amber list countries by July 26 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson simply said “double jabs will be a liberator”.
The PM added:
“I want travel to be possible but I’ve got to stress that this year will not be like every other year because of the difficulties with Covid. People shouldn’t expect it will be completely hassle free.”
If this goes ahead, it would only apply to UK residents registered with the NHS. The hope that this would be later extended to all EU citizens. The DfT (Department for Transport) said it would stop advising against travel to amber destinations at the same time.
At the moment most of Europe is on the amber list.