UK. London’s two largest airports have welcomed the relaxation of rules for people flying back into England but both Heathrow and Gatwick have called for a further easing of restrictions.
Fully-vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations will no longer have to quarantine from 19 July. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can make their own rules on inbound travel and have yet to decide whether to follow these new rules.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “This is excellent news that will give a much-needed boost to millions of people across Britain looking forward to a more normal summer and reuniting with family and friends abroad.”
Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said: “Plans to open up travel to amber countries for those who have received both doses of the NHS vaccine without the need for quarantine is another small step in the right direction. It capitalises on the UK’s world leading vaccination programme and will be very encouraging news for all those who want to start travelling again.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also announced that fully-vaccinated returning travellers will still need to pay for PCR tests before and after their return but will not need a day 8 test.
The rules apply to people 14 days after their final dose of the vaccine. Under-18s returning from amber list places will also be exempt from quarantine and the guidance that people should not travel to amber list countries will also be removed from 19 July.
Shapps added that “an amber list country could still turn red”, meaning hotel quarantine would become a requirement and anyone arriving in England from a red list country must still go into government-managed hotel quarantine.
But Holland-Kaye added: “The job isn’t done – to really kick-start the UK’s economic recovery, global Britain needs to get trading again. US businesses can get to the EU but the UK remains cut off. The UK should open up travel to fully vaccinated people from more countries – particularly our key partners in the US – by the end of July.”
His call for further relaxation was echoed by Gatwick Airport management.
Wingate said: “With summer holidays just around the corner, we are approaching a crucial time for our industry and we urge Government to remove other barriers inhibiting international travel, including the need for costly PCR tests for those who have been double vaccinated.
“At the very least, if tests are required, they should be the more readily available lateral flow tests or PCR tests carried out free of charge at an NHS facility, as has been done in France.
“We would also urge Government to urgently follow the lead of EU counties to ensure that internationally agreed, coordinated protocols are in place so that processes when crossing borders to other countries are as smooth as possible, with no unnecessary queues, checks or costs.”
He added: “We know many people are desperate to book flights to see relatives, take a well-deserved holiday or travel on business and we look forward to welcoming back passengers in large numbers.
We will continue working closely with our airlines to ensure that the best possible public health measures are in place – following the latest Government guidance – so that our customers can be confident that the airport environment is as safe as it possibly can be.”
The next review of countries on the green, red and amber lists will be on 15 July.
