Double vaccinated US and EU travellers will no longer have to quarantine for ten days if arriving into the UK from an amber list country.
Under current rules, only those who were vaccinated in the UK can avoid quarantine when arriving from amber list countries.
The new rules take effect from 4am on Monday 2 August 2021 and will apply to people who were fully vaccinated in the EU or US who are arriving in England, Scotland and Wales from amber list countries and who have been fully vaccinated with a jab approved by the EU or US, with the final dose at least 14 whole days before arrival.
The vaccine must have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency.
Travellers will still need to take either a lateral flow or PCR test pre-departure and a PCR test on the second day after they arrive. Passengers from all countries cannot travel to the UK unless they have completed a Passenger Locator Form.
The new rule will not however apply to those arriving from France. Travellers arriving from France must continue to quarantine for 10 days, at home or in other accommodation, even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. They will also need a day two and day eight PCR test, regardless of their vaccination status.
Those travelling from an amber list country, which includes most of Europe and the US, who are not fully vaccinated will still have to quarantine on arrival.
Summary of the new rules
- Individuals who have been double-vaccinated in the EU or US will not need to quarantine when coming to England, Scotland and Wales from an amber list country.
- Travellers will still take a pre-departure COVID-19 test and a PCR test on or before day two after arrival into the country.
- The vaccines must have been approved by the European Medicines Agency, or US Food and Drug Administration.
- The new rules take effect from 04:00 BST on Monday.
Who is affected by the new rules?
The relaxed rules will be welcome news to business travellers, tourists and UK citizens living abroad who have faced travel and entry restrictions throughout the pandemic.
As part of the changes, international cruise ships will also be able to depart from England from 2 August after 16-months.
Tougher rules will continue to be in place for France, which is on the amber list but still requires travellers to quarantine when they return, even if they are fully vaccinated.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said this advice would be reviewed at “the end of next week” as part of the rolling assessment of travel rules.
Child travellers
Under-18s are exempt from isolation, and some will not have to test, depending on their age.
Under 18s ordinarily resident in the UK or the US are exempt from the quarantine requirement. 11 to 17-year-olds will need a pre-departure test and a PCR test before or on day two. Those between the ages of 5 and 10 take a PCR test on day two after arrival into the UK, while under 5s do not need to take any COVID test.
Need assistance?
DavidsonMorris are UK immigration specialists. We are on hand to advise on changes in UK travel and entry requirements and restrictions, working with employers and business travellers to support their mobility and travel needs. For guidance from our experts, contact us.
Last updated: 29 July 2021
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
