UK Lifts Most Covid Travel Requirements
The British government announced today that it is getting rid of all coronavirus travel testing requirements for vaccinated visitors. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “to show that this country is open for business, open for travelers, you will see changes so that people arriving no longer have to take tests if they have been vaccinated, if they have been double vaccinated.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the Associated Press that the change would take effect Feb. 11. Testing requirements are being lifted for vaccinated adults and all children under 18.
Travel to England is also getting easier for the unvaccinated. There will no longer be a quarantine requirement. Unvaccinated travelers will still be required to take tests before and after traveling to England.
Johnson’s government is also lifting mask mandates and other Covid-19 restrictions this week, and is relying on vaccinations and testing to keep the virus in check. 71.6 of the UK population is fully vaccinated as of January 22. 54.8% have also received a booster shot.
The new rules from Johnson’s government apply to England only. The other parts of the U.K., Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, set their own health rules. However they have said they will adopt the same rules as England for international travel.
