UK scraps quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated amber arrivals, but not including Americans
The U.K. government has formally announced its plans to allow fully jabbed Brits to skip quarantine requirements on return home from amber list countries. The change in foreign travel policy was announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Thursday and takes effect from July 19.
The move to allow fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the U.K. from amber countries to skip quarantine coincides with "freedom day," the country's lifting of restrictions on July 19.
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However, at this time, the exemption only applies to travelers who have been fully vaccinated in the U.K. Therefore, travelers who have been fully vaccinated in another country — such as the U.S. — are not yet eligible for the exemption.
The change will allow eligible travelers to skip 10-day isolation. However, they will still need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on their second day back in the country.
"I can confirm today that from 19 July, UK residents who are fully vaccinated through the UK vaccine rollout will no longer have to self-isolate when they return to England," Shapps said. "They will still be required to take a test three days before returning, the pre-departure test, demonstrating they're negative before they travel, and a PCR test on or before day two, but they will no longer be required to take a day eight test.
"In essence, this means that for fully vaccinated travelers, the requirements for green and amber list countries are the same."
Shapps said there are no changes to arrivals from red countries.
Additionally, Shapps said that those younger than 18 will no longer need to isolate.
The move has partially answered the calls that the travel industry has been pressing the government to consider. Currently, there are only 27 countries and territories on the highly desired green list, which does not require a quarantine on return to the U.K. The majority of the world's countries — 147 in total — are currently on the medium-risk amber list, which does require a quarantine and testing regime. The United States is currently on the amber list.
Related: What kind of COVID-19 test do I need to travel and how much does it cost?
Previously, there are no exceptions for travelers who are fully vaccinated. Many other countries around the world have implemented loosened border restrictions for travelers who are fully vaccinated.
The move will be a huge lift to the aviation and tourism industries in the U.K. Many of the world's biggest holiday destinations are currently on the amber list. Plus, it could be a huge step forward to opening a travel corridor of sorts with the U.S. — if the exemption is soon extended to Americans.
"We're pleased to see this common sense approach which is already working safely for many other countries, but there is more work to do," British Airways CEO Sean Doyle said in a statement. "While the quarantine requirement for 'amber' countries is being lifted for fully vaccinated U.K. travelers, the government needs to quickly extend this to all vaccinated travelers, agree a reciprocal deal with the U.S., add more countries to the 'green' list and reduce the need for unnecessary, expensive tests. This will allow the UK to catch up with other countries and send a message that Global Britain is now, finally, open again."
Heathrow is set to unveil a new trial that would establish special fast-track lanes for vaccinated travelers on arrival. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic passengers on select flights will be able to utilize the new fast-track immigration lanes at Heathrow,
Related: Heathrow, BA and Virgin trialing online document verification for select flights returning to the UK
According to government data, more than 45 million people in the U.K. have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while more than 34 million people across the country are fully vaccinated.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.