DOUBLE-jabbed Brits could go on holiday from next MONTH as the government plans to restart travel with vaccine passports.
Earlier this week, Treasury minister Jesse Norman confirmed the government is looking at ways of allowing fully vaccinated people to go abroad again this year.
This would allow Brits to skip the mandatory 10-day quarantine when returning to the UK.
Anyone who has had both of their jabs could then return to holiday hotspots such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, all of which are currently on the amber list.
A vaccine passport system for fully vaccinated travellers is expected to be proposed by the Department of Transport (DoT) at the next travel update on June 28.
Ministers are also considering plans to allow the fully-vaccinated to flash their NHS App at border controls to avoid the ten-day self-isolation as well.
While airlines and tour operators are pushing for it to be introduced by July 1, in a bid to save the peak summer holiday season, it is more likely to be introduced in late July, or early August, according to The Times.
Officials are still looking into the details – including whether a new rule would be limited just to Brits, or to all arrivals, and what exemptions could apply to those without vaccinations.
It comes as:
- Face masks won't be a legal requirement on public transport from July 19, says Matt Hancock
- A health chief has warned daily cases could be ‘up to 25,000’ – and 25 Covid variants are currently being monitored
- Britain now has the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe as the Indian – or Delta – mutation sends cases soaring
- Care home staff will reportedly be legally obliged to get the jab to protect residents
- The JCVI says children shouldn't be given the jab until more is known about the risks
When asked about the possibility of allowing double-jabbed Brits to travel again earlier this week, Mr Norman said: "This is one of those things that's being considered.
"The Government is keeping all of these fast moving developments under a fairly close scrutiny as you might imagine.
"We don't want to get left behind by countries which may be adopting a two jabs approach if it can be done safely, carefully and securely."
Asked if Brits can start dreaming of a summer trip again, he added: "I wouldn't write anything off at this point.
"We are trying to move cautiously and progressively in the right direction, but we are in a situation where the virus is not something we control.
"We have seen this new variant and therefore it would be imprudent to make any carte blanche or firm statement now."
The travel industry is also calling for travellers under 18 to be fully exempt, with them not eligible to be vaccinated, to allow family holidays to go ahead.
Mr Norman said ministers are conscious of the fact a two jabs policy could discriminate against the young who haven't yet had both jabs.
He added: "It may well be that there are approaches we can take that are able to meet the needs of people who aren't fully vaccinated."
Matt Hancock, who has previously argued for tougher borders, is said to be "open" to the scheme.
A senior source told the Telegraph: "They haven't got there yet, but that's the direction of travel."
Ryanair called for fully-vaccinated Brits to be allowed to travel without restrictions earlier this week, predicting that travel could open up by July 19.
And the boss of Jet2 said countries such as Malta as well as the Spanish and the Greek islands are the safest options due to their low Covid cases or high vaccinations.
More than 100 countries could be included in the list for double-jabbed Brits.
It is also worth noting that the government proposal for fully-vaccinated Brits to travel quarantine-free isn’t a reciprocal agreement, and Brits should check the entry restrictions before travelling.
France is currently only letting in fully-vaccinated Brits, while Germany and the Netherlands have banned UK arrivals due to the Delta variant.
Spain is one of the few countries with no entry restrictions for Brits, while destinations such as Portugal and Greece require a negative Covid test on arrival.
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