Travel changes make it easier for fully vaccinated people to travel

Wednesday, 6 October 2021 15:56

Recent changes to Covid travel regulations mean that it is now easier for people who are double vaccinated to travel abroad and return without having to quarantine.

From Monday this week (4 October), international travel rules were simplified in England, with the traffic light system replaced by a single red list of countries.

Alongside this other changes were also introduced, meaning that fully vaccinated people and those under the age of 18 returning from countries that are not on the red list do not have to take a test before they set off on their journey home. Like all international travellers, they must still take PCR tests on day two following their return, but do not have to quarantine on their return unless test results are positive.

Unvaccinated people over the age of 18 must take a PCR test before they depart and then self-isolate at home for ten days, even if the results are negative. They also have to take further PCR tests on days two and eight after they arrive home.

Anyone travelling from a red list country must quarantine in a managed hotel for 10 days on their return to England, whether or not they are fully vaccinated.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Full vaccination, which for most people is two doses, not only protects you from the virus, it means that travelling internationally is a lot easier too.

“The changes which came into effect this week mean that people who are fully vaccinated have to take fewer PCR tests than unvaccinated people and do not have to quarantine when they get home, unless they test positive.

“People who are not fully vaccinated must still spend ten days at home in quarantine when they get back and take three PCR tests.”

“This is another reason for people to get vaccinated as soon as they can. Not only does it protect you from serious illness and reduces the chances of passing it on to the people around you, it makes travelling abroad safer and more straightforward too.”

The latest figures show that there were 372.5 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last seven days. That means 980 people tested positive for the virus in that same time period, although the true number of new cases is likely to be higher.