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England scraps quarantine for vaccinated EU, USA travelers

The changes apply to those with a vaccine approved by the USA or in Europe. Arrivals will still need to test negative before departing for England. 

All people traveling from the EU or the USA who have been fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine upon arrival in England, Transport Minister Grant Shapps announced Wednesday.

The plan will come into effect on August 2. It will scrap requirements for those entering the country who have been vaccinated outside the UK to self-isolate for 10 days.

It only applies to people arriving from the UK's "amber" listed countries where there is a moderate rate of COVID-19 infections.

The minister announced the changes on Twitter, saying "we're helping reunite people living in the USA and European countries with their family and friends in the UK." 

"The changes will apply to fully vaccinated people with an FDA or EMA vaccine — they'll still need to do the usual pre-departure test before arrival and take a PCR test on day 2 of returning to England," Shapps also tweeted.

It was not clear whether Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland would also implement it, but it is expected that they will follow suit soon.

USA still warning against UK travel

The USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the UK placed on its highest alert level due to the high levels of delta variant infections.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told radio broadcaster LBC that he was considering a travel corridor with the USA. .

UK travelers, however, are still barred from visiting the USA.

England scrapped obligatory quarantine for return travelers from "amber list" countries —  including the USA and most of the EU — on July 19, but only for people who had received both of their vaccines from the British health service, the NHS.