To show the world that they are “open for business, open for travelers,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that the British government will be scrapping its test requirement for vaccinated travelers flying into England.
Travelers who are double vaccinated currently have to take a rapid COVID-19 test within two days of arriving in the United Kingdom. The change getting rid of this requirement in England is expected to go into effect Feb. 11, coinciding with the spring midterm break in many English schools, according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
“Border testing of vaccinated travelers has outlived its usefulness,” Shapps told the Associated Press. “Today, we are setting Britain free.”
UK COURT ALLOWS JULIAN ASSANGE TO BEGIN APPEALING EXTRADITION TO US
England is also softening its rules for unvaccinated travelers by getting rid of its quarantine requirement. Unvaccinated travelers will still be required to take tests before and after traveling to England.
The country is also easing mask mandates later this week, along with other pandemic-related restrictions. Johnson said the country will rely on widespread testing and vaccinations to monitor the virus.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The new orders follow a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant in December, however, hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19 have remained low in Britain compared to other heights in the pandemic. England has had the second-highest death count in Europe from COVID-19, with 154,000 deaths. Russia has the highest death count in Europe.
