The travel industry has welcomed the news that fully vaccinated travellers from Europe and the US will now be allowed to enter England without quarantine or having to self-isolate.

Sean Doyle, British Airways¡¯ chairman and CEO said: ¡°Our own trials have proved its quick and easy to check travellers are fully vaccinated and can safely enter the UK, and this step will allow us to reunite loved ones and get Global Britain back in business, giving the economy the vital boost it so badly needs.
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¡°With the UK¡¯s Covid cases falling while vaccinations continue to rise, now is the time for the Government to help secure the re-opening of the crucial UK-US travel corridor, move more low-risk amber countries to the green list to allow customers to book with confidence and to review the current expensive testing requirements that are out of step with our neighbours.¡±

Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, said:?¡°The UK allowing double vaccinated travellers to enter from the US and EU without quarantine is very welcome news.?

"This is a vital shot in the arm for the travel industry and places the UK at the forefront of international protocols.

"The key to success is for other nations to reciprocate and get people travelling safely for business and leisure once more.¡±

Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO, said: ¡°We stand ready to work with Government to ensure new rules are smoothly implemented at pace, supporting the reopening of the transatlantic corridor. A recent proof-of-concept trial between Virgin Atlantic, Heathrow and British Airways has demonstrated our readiness to rapidly operationalise an expanded amber policy, with 99 per cent of customers¡¯ vaccine credentials authenticated at the point of departure.

¡°We now urge UK Government to go further and move the US to the UK¡¯s green list and for the Biden administration to repeal the 212(f) proclamation for UK travellers. The UK is already falling behind US and EU and a continued overly cautious approach towards international travel will further impact economic recovery and the 500,000 UK jobs that are at stake.¡±

Martin Ferguson, VP of public affairs at American Express Global Business Travel, commented: ¡°Today¡¯s announcement that fully vaccinated arrivals from the US and EU will be exempt from quarantine is a welcome boost to the travel industry, trade and the UK's economic recovery.

¡°This evidence-based approach is a step in the right direction, and we will continue to work with the UK and US governments to ensure the safe reopening of vital transatlantic routes, without overwhelming airlines and Border Force.

¡°Now that the UK and EU have opened their borders to US travellers, it is vital that the Biden administration reciprocate by lifting the 212(f) restrictions at the earliest possible opportunity. Failing to do so will keep millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic at risk."

Jason Oshiokpekhai, managing director of?Global Travel Collection UK, said: ¡°The waiver of quarantine for fully vaccinated passengers from the EU and US is one of the most significant announcements the corporate travel world has received in our path to recovery. The news will play an important role in sustaining airline capacity and preserving key routes that are imperative to our economic recovery as a country.

"What we need now is a reciprocal deal from the US that acknowledges the success of the UK vaccine programme, allowing fully vaccinated UK travellers entry in return. This missing piece of the puzzle is vital to unlock our full potential in recouping the summer 2021 losses."?

Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport, said:?¡°This is welcome news for those wishing to travel to the UK.

¡°The cost of PCR tests remains prohibitive for many and should be replaced?by cheaper, quicker lateral flow tests for those who have been double vaccinated, as many other countries already rely on. Double vaccinated travellers to designated green countries should also not have to take any tests at all.

¡°The EU and US aviation sectors opened up earlier and are recovering significantly faster, which is why European travel was already at 50?per cent of pre-pandemic levels in June compared to just 16 per cent in the UK, despite our more advanced double vaccination rates. We will continue to lose out on trade, tourism and other economic benefits unless the?Government removes the remaining unnecessary barriers to travel."