International travel rules will be relaxed on 19 June as part of the wider scrapping of social distancing rules and masks. Transport secretary Grant Shapps told the House of Commons that those entering England from green and amber nations will not be expected to self-isolate — provided they are fully vaccinated.
In practice, what this means is that British summer holidays have been given the go ahead. France, Spain, Portugal and Italy are all on the amber travel list. Currently, the rules state that returning travellers must isolate for ten days, as well as complete a day two and day eight test. That second test has also been scrapped.
The crucial point is that the relaxation is only for those that have been fully vaccinated. While limited to international travel, the policy still introduces a degree of immuno-privilege. What happens to those who are medically unable to get the vaccine? And how much longer will the policy of isolation for the returning unvaccinated last?
From a public health perspective, though, the policy seems sensible — fully vaccinated travellers are less likely to catch Covid and less likely to pass it on — but there is also a behavioural element.
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