UK opening to vaxxed Americans and EU from 2nd Aug (4am) [updated]
Jul 28, 2021, 2:23 am
#5
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Jul 28, 2021, 4:24 am
#6
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...k-opens-world/
Jul 28, 2021, 4:29 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
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I wouldn't call anything in the Telegraph these days as definitive.
While there may be a strong political will from some in the cabinet to make it happen, there are significant logistical issues to resolve. Looks like progress can be faster with the EU as there is some convergence of their approach to digital passports and the England approach. But the US is based on State by State paper certificates. Getting a procedure agreed quickly that the airlines can work with, especially if there are 50 different types of US paper certificate, is quite a "big ask".
While there may be a strong political will from some in the cabinet to make it happen, there are significant logistical issues to resolve. Looks like progress can be faster with the EU as there is some convergence of their approach to digital passports and the England approach. But the US is based on State by State paper certificates. Getting a procedure agreed quickly that the airlines can work with, especially if there are 50 different types of US paper certificate, is quite a "big ask".
Jul 28, 2021, 4:33 am
#8
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maybe, but I have well placed sources as well that place this as rather definitive and this doesn’t seem very speculative:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...k-opens-world/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...k-opens-world/
It follows a trial by Heathrow, BA and Virgin which found the practical difficulties of verifying the vaccination status of travellers were overcome in 99 per cent of cases amid concerns over the complexities of different US states' paper and digital certificates. The results have been submitted to the Government.
from a participant in the trials:
...don’t use the BA/HAL pilot scheme as it is a complete shambles. ....and if BA and HAL’s intent was to show that this double vaccination verification approach was feasible then they completely and utterly failed.
(https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33409028-post61.html)
Jul 28, 2021, 4:50 am
#10
Join Date: May 2014
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Until it's announced through official means (i.e. Shapps tweeting about it 
) I'd be wary of giving too much credit to these rumours. We had 'reviews' that promised half the world to be on the Green List, price controls on tests and a slice of pie on HMG's tab as you entered the country and then we were rewarded by an even longer red list, a new tier being invented for France and only Bulgarian going green.
Maybe a change to the thread title to say that this is a rumour would be beneficial, at least until the Rt Hon tweets.
) I'd be wary of giving too much credit to these rumours. We had 'reviews' that promised half the world to be on the Green List, price controls on tests and a slice of pie on HMG's tab as you entered the country and then we were rewarded by an even longer red list, a new tier being invented for France and only Bulgarian going green. Maybe a change to the thread title to say that this is a rumour would be beneficial, at least until the Rt Hon tweets.
Jul 28, 2021, 6:11 am
#11
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There aren't 50 paper certificates, there's one paper certificate. If each state were to keep it's own database of vaccine records, there would be 50 state databases. However, I don't think each state keeps such a database (I think most of them do, but not all). Furthermore, even for the ones that do, I seriously doubt they'd be willing to make that database available to a foreign government - a lot of them wouldn't even be willing to make it available to the US government.
Jul 28, 2021, 6:22 am
#12
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Now a breaking news story on BBC News website
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57999362
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57999362
People who are fully vaccinated from the EU and US will be able to avoid quarantine when arriving in England, the BBC has been told.Currently, people who have been fully vaccinated in the UK do not need to isolate when travelling from countries on the amber list, except from France.
But that exemption did not apply to people vaccinated outside the UK.
The government's Covid Operations committee met earlier and made the decision.
More details will be released later on Wednesday. It is not yet known when the change will come in - and whether it will relate just to England, or the whole of the UK.
But earlier, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said talks on travel were taking place between the four nations.
The travel industry had been pushing for the change in the rules so that people living abroad can more easily come to the UK for holidays or to visit loved ones.
However, although they will be able to avoid quarantine in England, US citizens are urged not to travel to the UK by their country's health protection agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And the US border is currently closed to the UK, as well as many other countries, except for US citizens.
But that exemption did not apply to people vaccinated outside the UK.
The government's Covid Operations committee met earlier and made the decision.
More details will be released later on Wednesday. It is not yet known when the change will come in - and whether it will relate just to England, or the whole of the UK.
But earlier, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said talks on travel were taking place between the four nations.
The travel industry had been pushing for the change in the rules so that people living abroad can more easily come to the UK for holidays or to visit loved ones.
However, although they will be able to avoid quarantine in England, US citizens are urged not to travel to the UK by their country's health protection agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And the US border is currently closed to the UK, as well as many other countries, except for US citizens.
Jul 28, 2021, 7:42 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 710
And perhaps the thread title could be edited...
@grantshapps
We're helping reunite people living in the US and European countries with their family and friends in the UK From 2nd August at 4am people from these countries will be able to come to the England from an amber country without having to quarantine if they're fully vaxxed
@grantshapps
We're helping reunite people living in the US and European countries with their family and friends in the UK From 2nd August at 4am people from these countries will be able to come to the England from an amber country without having to quarantine if they're fully vaxxed
Jul 28, 2021, 8:34 am
#14
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Correct! Here's the story from a USA perspective in The Washington Post
Jul 28, 2021, 9:13 am
#15
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Hopefully Scotland will get on board with this too. Are there any other restrictions I need to consider for a visit from the US to Scotland?
What about going to London after Scotland - is that ok or are there additional rules?
What about going to London after Scotland - is that ok or are there additional rules?