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Covid travel tests are no longer needed in England for vaccinated arrivals
Protiction of COVID-19/Pixabay

The BBC reported the UK government has confirmed, people arriving in England from abroad will no longer have to take Covid tests if they are fully vaccinated.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that the changes will be introduced from 4am on 11 February "in time for the half term break."

The BBC said that rules have also been eased for unvaccinated travellers, who will no longer have to take a day eight test.

However, they will still need pre-departure and day two tests.

Mr Shapps said, and everyone arriving in England, regardless of vaccination status, will still need to fill in a passenger locator form - although these would be made "simpler and easier" to complete.

COVID-19-restrictions/Shutterstock
COVID-19-restrictions/Shutterstock

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have previously followed England's lead, but any changes are for them to decide.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson Commented on the changes as saying that although people had to be "cautious", "you can see the figures are starting to get better".

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He added: "What we're doing on travel, to show that this country is open for business, open for travellers, you will see changes so that people arriving no longer have to take tests if they have been vaccinated, if they have been double vaccinated."

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It should be noted that the move will be welcomed by the travel and tourism industry, one of the sectors most badly affected by coronavirus lockdown measures.

Source: BBC