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Government May Relax Travel Restrictions For People Who Have Had Both Vaccine Doses

Government May Relax Travel Restrictions For People Who Have Had Both Vaccine Doses

Ministers have confirmed they are looking into plans to limit quarantine requirements, so long as people have been fully vaccinated

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

The government is considering relaxing international travel restrictions for people who have had both doses of their coronavirus vaccine, according to various reports.

Sky News reports that ministers have confirmed they are looking into plans to limit quarantine requirements, so long as people have been fully vaccinated.

A government spokesperson told the outlet that it is 'working with industry for a safe return to international travel, guided by one overwhelming priority - public health'.

They added: "Recognising the strong strategic rationale and success of the vaccine programme, we have commenced work to consider the role of vaccinations in shaping a different set of health and testing measures for inbound travel."

Under the current traffic light system, people returning from green list countries do not have to quarantine, but have to take coronavirus tests.

PA

Those coming from amber countries must self-isolate, while anyone coming from a red country has to quarantine in a hotel.

However, the new plans - which were first reported by The Telegraph - could mean travellers who have had two doses of the vaccine may be allowed to avoid quarantine on their return from amber list countries - which currently include holiday spots like Spain, France and Italy.

However, they would still need to be tested, according to The Telegraph, which said the plan 'would effectively turn amber countries green for the double-jabbed'.

Jesse Norman, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said the government was 'certainly looking at all the options here', telling Sky News: "We don't want to get left behind by countries which may be adopting a two jabs approach if it can be done safely and if it can be done carefully and securely."

PA

When asked if Brits shouldn't write off a foreign holiday yet, Norman continued: "We are trying to move cautiously and progressively in the right direction, so I wouldn't write anything off at this point.

"But then we are in a situation where the virus is not something we control and we have seen this new Delta variant, so it would be imprudent to make any carte blanche or firm statement now."

He also said the government had to bear in mind the perception that under-30s would be discriminated against if relaxing travel restrictions depended on vaccination status.

Norman added: "Of course the under-30s do not have anything like the same vulnerability to the disease that people older do," he added.

"The government is accelerating the rollout of vaccinations as fast as it can."

Many UK citizens under the age of 30 have only just had their first jab.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, News, vaccine, travel, Holiday