Holidays abroad now permitted to certain countries
Holidays from England to certain countries will be permitted from 10 July, under the Department of Travel's new regulations. Those visiting or returning to England will not have to quarantine for two weeks upon entering the country as previously required.
The government expects that all destinations on its exempt list will also not require arrivals from the UK to self-isolate. This will mean that holidaymakers travelling to and from certain destinations will not need to self-isolate on either leg of their journey.
The list, which will be under constant review, has been compiled based on a risk assessment conducted by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, in close consultation with Public Health England and the chief medical officer. The names of the 60-plus destinations will be revealed today, 3 July, but are expected to include Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Turkey.
"The assessment draws on a range of factors including the prevalence of coronavirus, the numbers of new cases and potential trajectory of the disease in that destination," reads a statement on the Department of Travel website.
All non-essential travel has been banned from the UK since early April to lower the infection rate. As a result, the travel industry has suffered a huge blow economically and the government has faced pressure to change its two-week quarantine rule.
"Today marks the next step in carefully reopening our great nation," said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. "Whether you are a holidaymaker ready to travel abroad or a business eager to open your doors again, this is good news for British people and great news for British businesses.
"The entire nation has worked tirelessly to get to this stage, therefore safety must remain our watch word and we will not hesitate to move quickly to protect."
Not everyone will feel ready to board a plane yet, but that doesn't mean you need to go without a summer break. For inspiration of where to go without having to go overseas, see our guide of the beautiful UK destinations that look like they could be abroad.
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