When can we go on holiday again?

Boris Johnson says double jabs will be ‘liberator’ for travel

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

In a Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister set out his plans for unlocking on July 19, in the fourth and final step of his roadmap out of restrictions. He said almost all Covid rules would be lifted in England but, will so-called “Freedom Day” allow us to finally go on holiday?

The Government said it intends to lift all restrictions in England from July 19.

Mr Johnson said he wants to move away from legally enforced rules for managing the pandemic to a common-sense approach to the virus.

Brits will be encouraged to use their “personal judgement” on the risks around the virus.

The PM said Britons must “learn to live” with the virus.

Despite Mr Johnson’s own admission that infections are expected to rise when the rules are ease, it is thought deaths and hospitalisations will be limited due to the success of the vaccine rollout.

Under current plans July 19 will see:

• Caps on the number of people allowed to gather in groups removed
• The “one metre-plus” social distancing rule in almost all settings, apart from specific places such as airports, will be scrapped
• All remaining hospitality businesses, such as nightclubs will be able to re-open
• No limits on the number allowed to attend large-scale events, such as festivals, sports matches, or concerts
• Wearing face masks in shops or on public transport will no longer be mandatory
• The Government will no longer require Brits to work from home
• The limits on the number of visitors to those in care homes will be removed
• The bubble system in schools will be scrapped

Domestic Covid “passports” were discussed for people to demonstrate their jab or testing status to enter pubs, bars or other venues but, these plans have been scrapped by the Government.

But, what about the restrictions on travel abroad, will July 19 see rules around travel relaxed?

Britons desperate to jet off for a much-needed summer holiday may be disappointed.

Travel restrictions are set to remain in force as the Government will continue with its traffic light system after July 19.

But, Mr Johnson did say some rules around visits to amber list countries may be looked at.

Further announcements are due to take place this week regarding isolation requirements for those travelling back to the UK from amber list countries.

Mr Johnson said the Government would “work with the travel industry towards removing the need for fully vaccinated arrivals to isolate on return from an amber country”.

Despite the positive news, Mr Johnson warned the pandemic was “far from over.”

He added the country would have to “reconcile ourselves sadly to more deaths.”

But the PM stressed: “We must be honest with ourselves that if we can’t reopen our society in the next few weeks – when we will be helped by the arrival of summer, and by the school holidays – then we must ask ourselves ‘when will we be able to return to normal?’”

Despite these announcements, Freedom Day is not yet set in stone.

A final decision on whether to go ahead with the last stage of the roadmap will be made next week.

Source: Read Full Article