We originally scheduled a trip to the UK in the spring of 2020. Obviously, that didn’t happen. We were able to get refunds or vouchers for most everything except for one hotel in Scotland (for that, if we don’t travel by December of this year, we’re out about $700).
Does anyone know when it will be possible to travel to the UK (including Scotland) without having to quarantine? It’s a waste of money and time we don’t have to sit in a hotel room for days on end!
Thanks.
No one knows.
I got a STEP notification today for the UK with this title: United Kingdom Travel Advisory: Level 4: Do not travel, July 19, 2021.
This is the first paragraph: Do not travel to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
This link titled "Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the United Kiingdom" is embedded in the notification: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-united-kingdom
That link has detailed information on what to expect.
The STEP notification also says, "Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.
There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets."
You might want to sign up to get STEP notifications yourself. Here's the link to do that: https://step.state.gov/STEPMobile/Default.aspx
Does anyone know when it will be possible to travel to the UK (including Scotland) without having to quarantine?
No.
Does anyone know when it will be possible to travel to the UK (including Scotland) without having to quarantine?
No, not even the rule makers.
Don't expect it to be in 2020. But stuff happens....you might get lucky. I wouldn't quite give up hope yet, but I also sure wouldn't book an airline ticket.
Scotland’s Covid measures have been more cautious than England’s.
The U.K. government are trying to dissuade foreign travel by imposing restrictions on us, so likewise, they are trying to limit who comes here. It’s difficult to predict what the situation will be next week, let alone December. Any travel this year is likely to be at short notice if you want a degree of certainty.
I thought the UK govt. lifted the 10-day self isolation rule for those coming from Amber listed countries, who are fully vaccinated as of yesterday the 19th. It wasn't clear though on requiring to be tested prior to arrival to the UK.
No Vince, the only people coming from amber countries who do not have to quarantine are those who were vaccinated in the UK or from a UK vaccination program in other areas. (These are mostly countries/territories associated with the UK in some way. Not the USA.)
regarding the double jab amber no quarantine bit - not only is it only for UK folks, it is only for UK folks who were double jabbed IN the UK, and does not apply to returning from France. Does not apply in your situation.
Regarding your initial question - above posters are correct - nobody, including what passes for leaders in government, knows.
Similar situation here: Our fully-paid May 2020 trip to Scotland was kiboshed; our travel agent has allowed us credit for UK travel, as we plan to return. We were hoping this latest relaxing of the rules would allow us to start planning, but the fine print that Nigel and Frank mention will keep us at home.
For anyone looking for the specific details in official format, follow this link to the UK.Gov site, and note the continued mention of the term "fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme." It spells out what the "UK vaccination programme" includes. If you were NOT vaccinated under such a program, you're considered "not fully vaccinated," and you have to follow the previous rules (10-day isolation, etc.).
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#fully-vaccinated-under-the-uk-vaccination-programme
