Boris Johnson says there is a “real opportunity” to ease travel restrictions for fully vaccinated people. This comes as analysts predict Malta, the Balearic Islands and Madeira could be added to the green list on Thursday.
The Government is considering plans to end 10-day home quarantine for people arriving in England from amber list countries.
The PM acknowledged that the number of countries added to the green list would likely “not be more than five.” This is despite many more being statistically eligible for the classification according to the government’s data.
On a visit to New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot, the Prime Minister said there was a “real opportunity to open up travel” this summer for those who have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
People arriving in the UK from green list destinations are not required to self-isolate. However, most green countries are currently not viable major tourist destinations as many are closed to travelers.
The decision to force people returning to Britain to quarantine has hurt the travel industry since last March. Many in the industry called for action yesterday in protest of the lack of clarity from the government.
It has also prompted many to ask why vaccinated people, who are at a much lower risk of contracting the disease, need to follow the same rules as the non-vaccinated. Two-thirds of Britain have now received both jabs.
The Covid-19 picture
The UK has just reported a further 16,135 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK – the highest reported daily total since February 6.
While 60% of Brits have now received both jabs, 83% have had a single dose- one of the highest rates in Europe.
1,008,472 appointments were booked in just two days, as the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme opened up to all adults — that's over 21,000 every hour, or six every second! ????
All adults are now eligible. If you're yet to book yours, don't delay. Visit https://t.co/qRqdKuCXTP. pic.twitter.com/E8058OSxIu
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) June 21, 2021
That said, rising case numbers have prompted many country leaders to apply restrictions to UK travellers entering their territory. This includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The PM rejected her concerns earlier today. “I think that the real opportunity we all have now is to open up travel through the double jab.”
The push to ease travel restrictions has prompted some analysts to question the government’s coronavirus strategy as “freedom day” draws closer. The current planned date is July 19.
