UK to lift all travel restrictions on February 11

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We have entered a new chapter in our fight against COVID-19 and we’re taking a balanced approach as we learn to live with the virus.”…reports Asian Lite News

All testing measures for eligible fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Britain will be scrapped from next month, as the UK government goes one step further to reopen the Covid-battered travel sector.

From 4 a.m. on February 11, all testing requirements will be removed for eligible fully vaccinated arrivals, with only a Passenger Locator Form now required, according to a statement released on Monday by the British government.

Arrivals not recognised as fully vaccinated will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

“We made the right calls at the right time and thanks to our vaccine and booster rollout it’s paying off – allowing us to safely remove nearly all COVID-19 travel restrictions for vaccinated travellers,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in the statement.

“We already have one of the most open economies in Europe with the least restrictions, and because of the changes today we now have a travel sector to match it.”

“This final step in our stable and safe full return to international travel is a major boost for UK tourism, setting Britain free ahead of the crucial half term and spring holiday season,” he added.

The country is also set to recognise vaccine certificates from 16 more countries, including China and Mexico, bringing the recognition total to more than 180 nations and territories worldwide, according to the statement.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We have entered a new chapter in our fight against COVID-19 and we’re taking a balanced approach as we learn to live with the virus.”

“Thanks to the success of the vaccination programme, now is the right time to take this additional step towards opening up international travel once again.”

He added: “Extending the NHS COVID Pass to children aged 12-15 in England will also make the outward journey easier for families and I am delighted we have taken this step in time for February half term.”

Official figures revealed that Britain added 88,447 Covid-19 cases in the latest 24 hours, bringing the total caseload to 16,063,010, and a further 56 additional fatalities, taking the national death toll to 154,430.

More than 90 per cent of people aged 12 and above in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine, over 83 per cent are fully inoculated, and some 64 per cent have received booster jabs.

ALSO READ-Covid-19: US urges citizens to reconsider travel to India