London – Fully jabbed travellers returning to England and Wales from France will still have to quarantine from Monday.
From July 19, adults who have been double jabbed in the United Kingdom arriving from amber list countries will not need to isolate for ten days.
But the government said the easing would not apply to France due to “persistent” cases of the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa.
There are concerns vaccines may not work as well against the Beta variant.
Some 3.4 per cent of cases recorded in France in the past four weeks were the Beta variant, according to GISAID, a global open source database.
The more infectious Delta variant – first identified in India – accounts for almost all new cases in the United Kingdom.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We have always been clear that we will not hesitate to take rapid action at our borders to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the gains made by our successful vaccination programme.
“With restrictions lifting on Monday across the country, we will do everything we can to ensure international travel is conducted as safely as possible, and protect our borders from the threat of variants.”
Travel firms have criticised the move, accusing the government of causing confusion.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry group Airlines UK, said: “These random rule changes make it almost impossible for travellers and industry to plan ahead, and can only further undermine consumer trust at the very peak of the summer season.”
The government announcement means that anyone who has been in France in the previous ten days will need to quarantine on arrival to England in their own accommodation and will need a day two and day eight test, regardless of their vaccination status.
This includes any fully vaccinated individual who transits through France from either a green or another amber country.
But ministers indicated that Eurostar passengers on services travelling through France would not need to quarantine if their train did not stop in the country.
Existing amber list exemptions for key workers such as hauliers will remain in place.
Travellers from France will still have the option of shortening their quarantine period through the Test to Release scheme – if they pay for a test on day five and are negative.
For arrivals from other amber list countries, the requirement to quarantine is being scrapped for the fully vaccinated and under-18s from Monday in all parts of the UK.
Each UK nation sets its own travel rules.
A Scottish government spokesperson said ministers were “considering the best approach” for arrivals from France “as we look to adopt a four nation approach on international travel, where possible”.
Wales said it would be following the change set by England, while Northern Ireland is yet to announce its intention. (BBC)
