Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesLONDON Travelers who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus in the United States and Europe will soon be able avoid quarantine upon arrival in England.After weeks of negotiations, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the move on Wednesday. He stated that if fully vaxxed, people from the U.S. or EU can travel to England starting at 4 a.m. August 2 from amber countries.Shapps stated that only those who have been fully vaccinated by a vaccine approved in the U.S. or Europe will be affected. They will still need to take a pre-departure screening before arriving in England, and a PCR test the second day.People who have been fully vaccinated in Britain are not required to isolate when they travel to countries on the amber, with the exception of France. However, this does not apply to those who were vaccinated elsewhere.This would correct an anomaly that has kept many from visiting their family or friends in the U.K., as well as preventing them from taking business trips. It has been a priority for the travel industry since long.France will be exempted from the exemption, but France is still subject to a 10-day quarantine, even for fully vaccinated.Despite the establishment of a task force to create a travel corridor, there is no indication of any imminent changes to the U.S. travel ban for visitors from the U.K.The White House stated earlier this week that it did not plan to lift COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-Americans. However, Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, said LBC radio on Wednesday, that they had been talking to them all the time.Johnson also declined to support Michael Goves's description of people who didn't get the vaccine as selfish in the same interview. However, Johnson did mention that international travel could be one of the benefits of being jabbed.He stated that people can see. When you think about things like travel and mass events, it will be something that will help you, rather than hinder you.While senior Cabinet ministers are keen to ease travel restrictions for a while now, others worry that it could backfire. As the U.K. witnessed the Delta variant spreading steadily in May, the British government was heavily criticised.International cruises can also resume after the U.K. government signed a memorandum of understanding with the cruise industry in order to support its recovery.Business groups and the travel industry welcomed the news immediately. Richard Burge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that inbound travel is an important part of the U.K. and London economies. This news is welcome and safe as we move towards recovery.British Airways Chief Executive Sean Doyle stated that the move would allow us to reunite with loved ones and get Global Britain back in Business.
