People arriving in England from dozens of nations will no longer need to quarantine from 10th July. The full list of countries that will be exempt from the quarantine from this date was published on Friday, 3rd June, by the UK Government. The long-awaited list of “travel corridor” countries includes Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, as well as further afield locations including New Zealand, Vietnam, and South Korea. Greece is also on the list.
The US and China, however, are among those not to appear. Portugal is also not on the list. One of the most popular destinations for Brits, the country has had fewer coronavirus cases than some European holiday destinations, and it is open to UK citizens without quarantine. But, much to the angst of the Portuguese government, it has not been granted a travel corridor amid concerns over rising infection rates.
Controversy has arisen after the release of the list because of the possibility of certain loopholes. UK travellers could fly to Seville, Spain, then take the bus to the Algarve in Portugal. Upon return to the UK, the authorities would not, in theory, be able to detect that the travellers had been to Portugal.
Sweden is the other notable European nation to be omitted: it has had a more relaxed approach to coronavirus restrictions, and its infection rate is higher than in the UK. The easing of restrictions means that from 10th July, unless they have visited or stopped in any other country or territory in the preceding 14 days, passengers arriving from countries and territories on the new list will not be required to self-isolate on arrival in England.
Coronavirus regulations introduced last month meant that anyone arriving in England had to self-isolate for 14 days, including British people arriving back in the country from a visit abroad.
On Friday, 3rd July, a UK government spokesman said, “The government is satisfied that it is now safe to ease these measures in England and has introduced travel corridors for some countries and territories.”
As of 10th July, one will not have to self-isolate when one arrives in England, if one is travelling or returning from one of the travel corridor countries and has not been to or stopped in a country that’s not on the travel corridor list in the previous 14 days.
“This applies to all travel to England, by train, ferry, coach, air, or any other route,” the spokesman warned, “We will keep the conditions in these countries and territories under review. If they worsen, we will not hesitate to reintroduce self-isolation requirements.”
Travellers should always check the latest FCO travel advice. Travel advice includes information on any health measures in place for visitors to the country or territory. These can include a requirement to self-isolate, quarantine, or undergo testing for coronavirus, or even restrictions on entry.
“I am delighted that the UK Government has announced that passengers returning or visiting England from Italy will no longer be required to self-isolate from 10th July,” said Maria Elena Rossi, director of marketing and promotions for the Italian Tourist Board.
