PM Boris Johnson
The government of the United Kingdom has removed all testing measures for eligible fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the country as from 4am on 11 February, as the government goes one step further to reopen the travel sector.
The simplification of travel rules comes just before half term, providing welcome news for families looking to travel abroad during the school holidays, as well as an extra boost for the tourism industry.
The government said the move followed the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout, which made it possible for the government to reduce the number of travel restrictions, ensuring there is a more proportionate system in place for passengers.
It said before the end of February, eligible fully vaccinated travellers will only need to fill out the passenger locator form (PLF), which will be simplified, confirming their vaccination status, travel history and contact details, and people will have an extra day to fill it out before travelling.
“The framework set out today, Monday) is intended to be one that will last. It aims to provide stability for travellers and the travel industry throughout 2022, ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business. Meanwhile, friends and families can make the most of their global connections, while saving around £100 for the average family with the removal of testing.
“Children aged 12-15 in England will be able to prove their vaccination status or proof of prior infection via a digital NHS COVID Pass from 3 February for outbound travel, making it easier for children and families to travel to countries which require proof of vaccination or prior infection to gain entry, avoid isolation, or access venues or services.
“It will also enable families to plan holidays for February half term with greater confidence, as parents can be reassured they will quickly be able to evidence their child’s vaccination status or proof of prior infection for outbound travel and meet the requirements of different countries more easily.
“For inward travel, all under-18s regardless of their individual vaccination status will continue to be considered as fully vaccinated.
According to the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps; “We made the right calls at the right time and thanks to our vaccine and booster rollout it’s paying off – allowing us to safely remove nearly all COVID-19 travel restrictions for vaccinated travellers. We already have one of the most open economies in Europe with the least restrictions, and because of the changes today we now have a travel sector to match it.
This final step in our stable and safe full return to international travel is a major boost for UK tourism, setting Britain free ahead of the crucial half term and spring holiday season.
One of the first western European countries to lift isolation requirements for all arrivals who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, the UK will also scale back travel restrictions for unvaccinated arrivals. From 11 February, individuals who are not fully vaccinated will only need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the UK, as well as filling out the simplified PLF. They will not need to self-isolate on arrival, and will only need to do so on receipt of a positive result.
In his reaction, alonside Shapps’, Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said the country has “entered a new chapter in our fight against COVID-19 and we’re taking a balanced approach as we learn to live with the virus.
He said that while the red list will continue to remain in place as our first line of defence against future variants of concern arriving from abroad, the government is looking to replace the hotel quarantine policy with other contingency measures including home isolation and further details will be set out on this later in the spring.
The move has been applauded by Tim Alderslade of Airlines UK. He considered it ” a landmark day for passengers, businesses and UK plc.”
Nearly two years since the initial Covid restrictions were introduced, the announcement brings international travel towards near-normality for the fully vaccinated, and at last into line with hospitality and the domestic economy, he sad, adding that with the all-important half-term week approaching, passengers should now get booking, and airlines look forward to using the connectivity they’re proud to facilitate to turbo-charge the economic recovery for all of the UK.
