The U.K., which has taken a cautious and prolonged approach to reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced on Wednesday that it will allow vaccinated travelers from U.S. and many European countries to enter England and Scotland without quarantining, beginning Aug. 2. A negative COVID-19 test will still be required prior to travel, as well as a PCR test on or before day two of their visit.
“We are thrilled by the news of quarantine being lifted for double vaccinated American travelers,” said Gavin Landry, executive vice president of the Americas for VisitBritain. “The U.S. is our most valuable market, with the transatlantic trade route incredibly important for both business and tourism. We know Americans have been eager to visit again, and with Britain’s tourism and hospitality businesses now reopen, we are ready to welcome them back to our iconic cities, countryside and world-class cultural attractions.”
We know Americans have been eager to visit again, and with Britain’s tourism and hospitality businesses now reopen, we are ready to welcome them back to our iconic cities, countryside and world-class cultural attractions.
Vaccinated American travelers will need to show proof of vaccination through a physical vaccine card, along with proof of U.S. residency. (Unvaccinated visitors will still be required to quarantine for 10 days.) All visitors will also need to complete the U.K.’s online passenger form within 48 hours of arriving. Visitors should also note that the individual countries within the U.K. (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) are setting their own courses for reopening, so restrictions may vary between destinations and should be confirmed before traveling between them.
In response to the announcement, Virginia Messina, senior vice president and acting CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said, “The Travel & Tourism sector — and the U.K. economy — will get a huge boost following news that fully vaccinated U.S. and EU visitors will at last be able to travel quarantine-free to England and Scotland. The cruise industry will breathe a sigh of relief that the crucial relaunch of international cruise departures from England has been given the green light, giving hope to a sector which has struggled to stay afloat. It also throws a vital lifeline to airlines and businesses throughout the sector, by helping to restore much-need transatlantic travel and essential links to the EU.”
Indeed, VisitBritain says it has been tracking international consumer sentiment and has recent research indicating that there is strong pent-up demand for international travel over the next year, with Britain high on people’s wish lists. For many within the travel industry, the elimination of quarantine requirements could mean an immediate uptick in bookings, helping to salvage some of the crucial summer travel season, as well as boosted bookings for further out.
“We’ve had several cancellations for the U.K. over the last few weeks due to the quarantine restriction, so this is a welcome announcement,” said Brigitte Armand, president of Eurobound. “We are optimistic that clients who had been thinking of foregoing Britain and the continent this summer in favor of other destinations might be enticed to take a last-minute trip. At Eurobound, we’re also seeing an uptick in 2022 travel plans to Europe, and the latest move by Britain is a positive step in bringing back transatlantic travel.”
We’ve had several cancellations for the U.K. over the last few weeks due to the quarantine restriction, so this is a welcome announcement. We are optimistic that clients who had been thinking of foregoing Britain and the continent this summer in favor of other destinations might be enticed to take a last-minute trip.
As for what visitors can expect on the ground, VisitBritain notes that more than 50,000 businesses have signed up for the “We’re Good to Go” mark, an industry standard that launched last year. The mark indicates that businesses are adhering to the respective government and public health guidance; have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment; and have the required processes in place for visitors.
The U.K.’s good news comes just a few days after the Biden administration announced that the U.S. will not lift any of its existing inbound travel restrictions due to concerns about the spread of the Delta variant and rising COVID-19 case counts, disappointing many within the travel industry. President Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously stated that they would reopen travel between the two countries as soon as possible, during meetings around June’s G7 summit.
Unless it’s reciprocal and the U.S. responds with a similar move, we won’t see the full benefit. We urgently need internationally coordinated action to reopen borders to safe international travel for all visitors who are fully vaccinated or can show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Travel industry officials have been lobbying for some time for a change in the U.S.’s current international travel restrictions, and England and Scotland’s decision has prompted a string a renewed calls for reopening.
“British government leaders have made a wise decision in reopening England to vaccinated travelers from the United States,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for the U.S. Travel Association, in a statement responding to England’s policy update. “It’s time for U.S. leaders to do the same and set a timeline to reopen our national borders — and we encourage them to start with vaccinated travelers from the U.K., EU and Canada.”
WTTC’s Messina echoed the sentiment, noting that “unless it’s reciprocal and the U.S. responds with a similar move, we won’t see the full benefit. We urgently need internationally coordinated action to reopen borders to safe international travel for all visitors who are fully vaccinated or can show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.”
VisitBritain notes that entry requirements and in-destination guidance remain subject to change, so travel advisors and their clients are advised to stay up to date by regularly checking www.gov.uk.
