Double-vaccinated travelers from the US or most of Europe can have their jab status recognized, so they are eligible to avoid quarantine upon arrival in England.On Tuesday, The Guardian reported that the government was planning to announce significant relaxations in international travel restrictions. This would allow millions more people to visit their relatives and friends in the country and boost the tourism and aviation industries.On Wednesday, senior ministers met to decide whether it was okay to treat all those who had been inoculated in America and Europe as British residents. This will take effect Monday, 2 August at 4am.Only those who have received two doses of the NHS vaccine are eligible for the Covid pass. This allows them to travel from countries on the amber list to avoid being isolated for up to 10 consecutive days.After a week of declines, the UK witnessed a surge in coronavirus infections. Wednesday saw 27734 new cases reported, an increase of 23 511 from the previous day. There were also 91 deaths, compared to 131.Grant Shapps (transport secretary) confirmed that the changes will apply to those who have been fully inoculated using a vaccine approved for use by US and EU medicines regulators and children who live normally in America or Europe, regardless of whether they were jabbed.The digital Covid certificate will be required for all European citizens, which includes the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. Those from the USA can present the paper card that they were issued after their vaccinations. Only exceptions are for those arriving from France who must still quarantine upon arrival.Shapps stated that it was a significant step towards reuniting people, and unlocking business travel. He confirmed that international cruises will soon resume, and that some essential workers who cross the border into England without leaving their cars will no longer be required to do so.Because health is devolved, it will be up the governments of Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast to adopt this policy. According to The Guardian, the Welsh government is likely to follow the same policy.Many EU countries accept the UK's Covid passport as proof of vaccination, and permit double-jabbed Britons to enter them. However, the US stated earlier this week that its strict restrictions would remain in place.Despite the G7 agreement last month between the British prime minister, Boris Johnson and Joe Biden to create a taskforce to restore travel between the two countries, there was no breakthrough. The UK continues to work without any reciprocal agreements with the US.Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated Monday that anyone who has been in the UK within 14 days of their flight will be barred due to the presence of the Delta variant. US citizens would also be advised to avoid the UK.There was growing pressure on the UK government for an increase in vaccination restrictions in other countries. Ministers were criticised for having stricter controls at the border than they did last summer.Angela Rayner (Labour deputy leader) called the move reckless and warned it could result in the importation more transmissible variants of the Delta strain.Professor Christine Pagel, Director of the Clinical Operational Research Unit (UCL), also stated to the Guardian that people who have been vaccinated can still catch Covid, and that they have been proven to have seeded it elsewhere, including Israel and Iceland.She explained that the variants that infect unvaccinated people are what we are most concerned about. If variants are what we're most concerned about, then it makes no sense to exempt vaccinated persons from quarantine.If the reduction in cases is real, and if we were in a good spot, why would it be risky?Pagel warned that the possibility of travel restarting between the US & EU could lead to a new variant emerging anywhere, which is a concern.She said that we should take advantage of our island status and have more control over any new variants that may be introduced to us.Sir John Bell, the regius professor in medicine at Oxford University, said that it was selfish for the government not to focus on giving full vaccinations while many people living in poorer countries don't have the option.He stated that if you are looking for variants, there is the perfect storm. It is not in Watford, but in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and South Africa.
