UK’s updated travel requirements started Monday. Fully vaccinated Americans visiting England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can now skip quarantine.
Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye said that “This is a good start; we are showing that the vaccine is our passport to freedom”.
England initially announced waiving the 10-day isolation period for fully vaccinated American travelers. However, authorities from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also decided to do the same. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Twitter that “We’re helping reunite people living in the US and European countries with their family and friends in the UK”.
Level 4 Travel Warning Against the UK
This announcement was made a week after US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the US State Department placed the UK under level 4 travel warning. This means that Americans should avoid traveling to the UK. Also, in case they need to travel to the UK, the health agency suggests that travelers completed their vaccine doses.
During the pandemic, American travelers were allowed to travel to the UK but with travel restrictions. This included quarantine and presenting a negative COVID19 test.
Travel Requirements From UK to the US
Returning to the US, fully vaccinated Americans will still need to show a negative COVID test or documents showing recent recovery from COVID19.
Also, the US didn’t reciprocate UK’s action to lift travel restrictions. According to the White House, they are concerned about the rise of the delta variant.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced that “Given where we are today…with the delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point for a few reasons”. She added that “The more transmissible delta variant is spreading both here and around the world”.
Travel Industry Reacts to UK’s Updated Travel Requirements
United Airlines announced that it is going to have six flights from the US to London in August. Plus, the airline is looking to add more in the coming months. This includes nonstop service between Boston and London.
United vice president of international network and alliances said that “Today’s announcement is yet another major milestone in recovering from COVID19 pandemic with the opening of one of the most important markets from the US”.
