From 4 am on Monday 22 November, the UK government will simplify travel rules for all travellers who have got their vaccination certificate and have been fully vaccinated from one of over 135 recognised territories and countries that are not obliged to take a pre-departure test, self-isolate upon arrival or day 8 test. Instead, commuters are just needed to pay for a lateral flow test to take before the end of their second day, post-arrival.
This move will ease travel for those vaccinated with jabs listed under the WHO EUL such as Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca (including Covishield), Moderna and Janssen (J&J), and WHO(World Health Organization) EUL including Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin.
As the administration simplifies travel laws for all under-18s arriving at England who will be dealt as completely vaccinated at the border and will be banned from self-isolation requirements on arrival, day 8 testing and pre-departure testing. Travellers ought to only take 1 post-arrival test and a confirmatory free PCR test if they test positive.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“While we are recovering from the pandemic and approving international vaccines, this news will prove to be the next step in the restoration of international travel.
By also easing the rules for international travel for all under-18s coming to England, we’re bringing additional good news for families looking to unite with loved ones and another great boost for the travel sector.”
Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary stated:
“Today’s news is yet another step forward for the travel industry, businesses and for family and friends craving to reassemble or go abroad.
The red list and quarantine rule continue to be crucial in guarding our borders and as we’ve said we will not wait to take action by adding countries to the red list if necessary.”
The news reflects the recent removal of all countries and territories from the red list, through a well-regulated quarantine policy set in place but the government will continue to examine the red list every 3 weeks.